noScribe
noScribe is a free, open-source desktop app for transcribing interviews and other sensitive recordings with AI models running on the user's computer.
What noScribe is
noScribe is a free, open-source desktop app for transcribing interviews and other sensitive recordings with AI models running on the user's computer. Audio and transcripts stay local rather than being sent outside the device. Its transcription uses Whisper-based models, while pyannote handles speaker recognition; the software supports around 60 languages. An editor aligns text with audio playback, helping users review and correct transcripts. Users can mark pauses and overlapping speech, add timestamps, and choose whether filler words are included. noScribe accepts almost any audio or video format and exports formatted HTML, plain text, or WebVTT subtitles. It is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, though Linux binaries are not yet available for version 0.8. The maker estimates that a one-hour interview takes about one to three hours to transcribe, with NVIDIA CUDA acceleration able to reduce that time. It is licensed under GPL-3.0; the maker says transcripts may be used commercially without restrictions.
Good
- Transcription runs locally on the user's computer.
- Supports speaker recognition and around 60 languages.
- Editor aligns transcript text with audio playback.
- Exports HTML, plain text, and WebVTT.
- Commercial use of transcripts is unrestricted, according to the maker.
Watch out
- Linux binaries are not available for version 0.8.
- One-hour interviews may take one to three hours to transcribe.
- macOS 14 or later is required.
- Stringent processing time may require NVIDIA CUDA acceleration.
Who it suits
It suits researchers, journalists, and other users who need to transcribe interviews or sensitive audio while keeping processing local. Windows, macOS, and Linux users can use it, subject to the current Linux version availability noted by the maker.
Verdict
noScribe combines local transcription with speaker recognition, transcript editing, and several export formats. Check the platform requirements and expected processing time against your workflow.
Plans and prices
From noScribe's own pricing page, checked 11 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| noScribe | Free | Free and open source · noScribe is free and will always remain so |
The facts
Each one read from noScribe's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Command line
- Since version 0.7, noScribe provides a command-line interface that can be integrated into scripts.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Commercial use
- The maker says users may use transcripts commercially without restrictions, while modifying the software is subject to GPL-3.0 terms.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Editing
- A dedicated editor lets users review transcripts while aligning the text with audio playback.checked 11 Oct 2026
- File support
- The app can process almost any audio or video format.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Input and output
- It supports almost any audio or video format and can export HTML, plain text, or WebVTT files.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Transcripts can be opened in MS Word or LibreOffice and imported into QDA software such as MAXQDA or QualCoder; WebVTT can be used with EXMARaLDA.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The project began for qualitative social research and is also used in journalism, medicine, companies, government agencies, and NGOs.checked 11 Oct 2026
- License and use
- noScribe is released under GPL-3.0, and the maker says there are no restrictions on commercial use of transcripts created with it.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Models
- The software uses Whisper-based transcription and pyannote for speaker recognition, and supports around 60 languages.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Open source
- noScribe is free and open source under GPL-3.0.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Output formats
- noScribe can create formatted HTML, plain text, or WebVTT subtitle files.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Performance
- The maker estimates that transcribing a one-hour interview takes about one to three hours, with NVIDIA CUDA acceleration able to reduce processing time.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- Transcription runs locally on the user's computer without sending audio or transcripts to the outside.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Product
- noScribe is a free, open-source desktop app for transcribing interviews and other sensitive audio data with local AI models.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- noScribe is a desktop app for transcribing interviews and other sensitive audio data with local AI models.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Research features
- Users can mark pauses and overlapping speech, insert timestamps, and choose whether filler words are transcribed.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Speaker identification
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
- Support
- The maker recommends GitHub Issues for help and provides email contact for urgent cases.checked 11 Oct 2026
- System requirements
- The FAQ says noScribe runs on Windows 10 and requires macOS 14 or later, while Windows 7/8 and older Intel Macs are no longer supported by current versions.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Transcript editing
- An included editor lets users align audio and text to review and correct transcripts.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Transcription
- The software uses Whisper-based models and supports speaker recognition and around 60 languages.checked 11 Oct 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
The company
- Headquarters
- Frankfurt am Main, Germanychecked 28 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Linux availability
- The download page says Linux binaries are not yet available for version 0.8 and directs users to version 0.7 or manual installation.checked 11 Oct 2026
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