SpeechRecognition
SpeechRecognition is a free Python library for connecting speech-recognition projects to multiple engines and APIs, with online and offline options.
What SpeechRecognition is
SpeechRecognition is a free Python library for connecting speech-recognition projects to multiple engines and APIs, with online and offline options. Supported choices include CMU Sphinx, Google Speech Recognition, Google Cloud Speech API, Wit.ai, Microsoft Azure Speech, Houndify, IBM Speech to Text, Vosk, Whisper, Groq Whisper, and Cohere Transcribe. The project identifies CMU Sphinx, Snowboy Hotword Detection, Vosk, and Whisper as offline-capable. Examples cover microphone input, audio-file transcription, saving audio data, extended results, ambient-noise calibration, and background microphone listening. The listed installation method is `pip install SpeechRecognition`, with installation from the PyPI source distribution also described. Python 3.10 or later is required. PyAudio 0.2.11 or later is needed only for microphone input. Google Cloud Speech requires local credentials, while OpenAI and Groq recognizers require environment API keys. The OpenAI transcription recognizer supports compatible self-hosted endpoints such as vLLM and Ollama. The library is under the 3-clause BSD license; included FLAC binaries use GPLv2.
Good
- Supports several recognition engines and APIs.
- Several listed options work offline.
- Audio-file transcription is covered in examples.
- OpenAI recognizer supports compatible self-hosted endpoints.
- Free under the 3-clause BSD license.
Watch out
- Requires Python 3.10 or later.
- PyAudio 0.2.11 or later is needed for microphone input.
- Google Cloud supports Speech API V1, not V2.
- Cloud recognizers can require credentials or API keys.
Who it suits
SpeechRecognition suits Python developers who need to connect applications to different speech engines or APIs. It can fit projects needing offline recognition or microphone and audio-file workflows.
Verdict
SpeechRecognition gives Python projects a common library for multiple online and offline recognition options. Check Python, microphone, and credential requirements for the engines you plan to use.
Plans and prices
From SpeechRecognition's own pricing page, checked 5 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free/open-source library | Free | Python library · Speech recognition through supported engines and APIs · Optional dependencies vary by feature |
The facts
Each one read from SpeechRecognition's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Cloud credentials
- The README requires local Google credentials for Google Cloud Speech use and environment API keys for OpenAI and Groq recognizers.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Google API limit
- The README says the library supports Google Cloud Speech API V1 and does not support V2.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Input and output
- Examples cover recognizing microphone input, transcribing audio files, saving audio data, extended results, ambient-noise calibration, and background microphone listening.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The README gives `pip install SpeechRecognition` as the easiest installation method and also describes installing from the PyPI source distribution.checked 5 Oct 2026
- License
- The library is available under the 3-clause BSD license; included FLAC binaries are GPLv2-licensed.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Microphone requirement
- PyAudio 0.2.11 or later is required only for microphone input; the rest of the library works without it.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Offline operation
- The README identifies CMU Sphinx, Snowboy Hotword Detection, Vosk, and Whisper as working offline.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- SpeechRecognition is a Python library for speech recognition with support for several engines and APIs, online and offline.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Python requirement
- Python 3.10 or later is required to use the library.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Recognition engines
- Supported options include CMU Sphinx, Google Speech Recognition, Google Cloud Speech API, Wit.ai, Microsoft Azure Speech, Houndify, IBM Speech to Text, Vosk, Whisper, Groq Whisper, and Cohere Transcribe.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Self-hosted endpoints
- The OpenAI transcription recognizer supports OpenAI-compatible self-hosted endpoints such as vLLM and Ollama.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project asks users to report bugs and suggestions through its GitHub issue tracker.checked 5 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2014checked 28 Sep 2026
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