ELAN

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Score6.4

Rank#17 of 43

Free planNo

Runs onLinux, macOS, Windows

Summary

ELAN is a free annotation tool for audio and video recordings, particularly suited to analyzing languages, sign languages and gestures. It supports unlimited text annotations, including words, sentences, glosses, translations, comments and descriptions. Annotations can be arranged in hierarchical tiers, aligned with media time or linked to one another. Multiple views stay synchronized with the media timeline, and users can apply controlled vocabularies. A document can link as many as four video files. Annotation text supports Unicode, and documents are stored in the XML-based EAF format. Media compatibility varies by operating system and relies on native frameworks such as Windows Media Player, QuickTime or VLC. ELAN is written in Java, with Windows, macOS and Linux distributions; its source is available under GPL 3. The download page lists ELAN 7.1, which adds export to REFI project files for qualitative data analysis software. This integration is described as a one-time addition with no current plans for further extension. Documentation includes online and PDF manuals, an introductory guide and a media encoding guide; users can also turn to a forum or support desk.

Who it is for

ELAN suits researchers and others working with language, sign-language, gesture or audio/video media corpora. Its tiered, time-aligned annotations support detailed recording analysis.

What is good

Creates unlimited text annotations
Annotation tiers can align with media time
Unicode text and XML-based EAF documents
Available for Windows, macOS and Linux

What to know first

A document can link no more than four video files
Media formats supported depend on the operating system
REFI export has no current plans for extension

Verdict

ELAN offers a free, structured way to annotate recordings, with timeline synchronization and controlled vocabularies. Check media compatibility on your operating system and note the stated limits on video links and REFI integration.

Compared on transcription software

Free plan: Yesarchive.mpi.nl

Facts

Purpose: ELAN is an annotation tool for audio and video recordings.archive.mpi.nl · 28 Sept 2026
Annotations: Users can create unlimited textual annotations, including sentences, words, glosses, comments, translations and descriptions.archive.mpi.nl · 28 Sept 2026
Tiers and timing: Annotations can be organized in hierarchical tiers, time-aligned to media or linked to other annotations.archive.mpi.nl · 28 Sept 2026
Views and vocabulary: The software provides multiple annotation views synchronized with the media timeline and supports controlled vocabularies.archive.mpi.nl · 28 Sept 2026
Video limit: An annotation document can link up to four video files.archive.mpi.nl · 28 Sept 2026
File format: Annotation text supports Unicode, and annotation documents are stored in the XML-based EAF format.archive.mpi.nl · 28 Sept 2026
Media support: Audio and video format support depends on the operating system and uses available native media frameworks, including Windows Media Player, QuickTime or VLC.archive.mpi.nl · 28 Sept 2026
Integrations and export: ELAN 7.1 adds export to REFI project files for qualitative data analysis software; the maker describes this as a one-time integration with no current plans for further extension.archive.mpi.nl · 28 Sept 2026
Platforms and license: ELAN is written in Java, has distributions for Windows, macOS and Linux, and its source is available under GPL 3.archive.mpi.nl · 28 Sept 2026
Support: Users can search or post on the ELAN forum, contact the support desk through a form, or subscribe to release and news announcements by mailing list.archive.mpi.nl · 28 Sept 2026
Intended users: ELAN is presented as a tool for annotating audio and video recordings, with features such as tiers, time alignment and controlled vocabularies.archive.mpi.nl · 28 Sept 2026
Current release: The download page lists ELAN 7.1 and provides packages for Windows, macOS and Linux.archive.mpi.nl · 28 Sept 2026
Views: ELAN provides several annotation views synchronized with the media timeline.archive.mpi.nl · 29 Sept 2026
Media compatibility: Media support builds on native frameworks such as Windows Media Player, QuickTime, or VLC, and supported formats depend on the operating system.archive.mpi.nl · 29 Sept 2026
Security and compliance: The product page states that ELAN is open source under GPL 3; it does not state a security certification or compliance standard.archive.mpi.nl · 29 Sept 2026
Documentation: Documentation includes an online manual, a downloadable PDF manual, a short introductory guide, and a media encoding guide.archive.mpi.nl · 29 Sept 2026
Intended audience: ELAN is specifically designed for analysis of languages, sign languages, and gestures, and can also be used by people working with audio or video media corpora.mpi.nl · 29 Sept 2026