Whispering

Whispering

Whispering is an open-source transcription app that gives users full transparency and control over their audio and transcription workflows, supporting local and cloud models with direct provider billing and privacy-first storage.

Whispering is dictation apps software teams evaluate for transcription. Use this page to review pricing, integration signals, and the best alternatives before you commit.

Free
#38 in Transcription (38 tools)
Added 0 year ago
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Quick Overview

Best for: Transcription

What it does

Dictation Apps software for decision-makers comparing workflow fit and alternatives.

Best fit

Transcription

Pricing snapshot

Free from Per-hour: $0.02; Light Use: $0.20/month; Heavy Use: $1.80/month; Comparable subscriptions: $10-30/month

Next step

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Whispering

Whispering is an open-source transcription application focused on transparency, privacy, and cost control. It lets users run transcription locally (Speaches) or use cloud models (Groq, OpenAI, ElevenLabs) while using their own provider API keys so audio is sent directly to chosen providers or kept entirely local. The product targets users who want auditability and ownership of their transcription tool — from privacy-conscious individuals to professionals looking to reduce vendor markup and transcription costs.

Whispering is an open-source, local-first transcription app that keeps your audio local on-device while allowing use of local and cloud models with customizable transformations for privacy and flexibility.

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Key Features

Open-source transparency

Truly open source: see the code, trace your data, and avoid black-box services; 'No middleman servers collecting your data.'

Multiple provider support

Supports cloud providers (Groq, OpenAI Whisper, ElevenLabs) and local models (Speaches) so users can choose speed or privacy.

Local-first privacy

Local storage and offline transcription via Speaches: 'completely local transcription (no internet, no API keys, completely private)'.

Keyboard shortcuts

Press a shortcut, speak, and get text anywhere on your system — optimized for quick transcriptions.

AI processing & formatting

Built-in AI processing to format text, fix grammar, and create custom workflows.

Transparent pricing & provider billing

Users supply their own API keys and pay providers directly; pricing examples are shown per-provider to avoid middleman markup.

Multiple access options

Native desktop builds for macOS, Windows, Linux and a web app to try in the browser.

Pricing

Free Tier Available

Yes — local transcription with Speaches is free and the app itself is free and open source; Groq also offers a generous free tier according to the site.

Groq (Distil)

Per-hour: $0.02; Light Use: $0.20/month; Heavy Use: $1.80/month; Comparable subscriptions: $10-30/month
  • Cloud model option
  • Low per-hour pricing example listed on site

Groq (Large)

Per-hour: $0.04; Light Use: $0.40/month; Heavy Use: $3.60/month; Comparable subscriptions: $10-30/month
  • Higher-capacity cloud model
  • Cloud scaling option

Local (Speaches)

Per-hour: $0.00; Light Use: Free; Heavy Use: Free; Comparable subscriptions: $10-30/month
  • Completely local, offline transcription
  • No per-hour cost

Use Cases

Quick on-the-fly transcription

Use keyboard shortcuts to capture short recordings and transcribe them immediately anywhere on the system.

Privacy-sensitive transcription

Run Speaches locally for completely private transcription with no internet or API keys involved.

Cost-optimized production use

Start local for free and scale to cloud models (Groq/OpenAI) with direct provider billing to reduce costs and avoid middleman markups.

Post-processing long recordings

Process extended recordings exported from dedicated recording apps; the project recommends using a recorder for long sessions then transcribing with Whispering.

Integrations

Groq

Cloud provider option focused on speed and low cost (multiple Groq model variants listed).

OpenAI (Whisper)

Cloud transcription model option supported by the app.

ElevenLabs

Listed as a supported cloud provider.

Speaches (local)

Local, offline transcription model that runs entirely on the user's machine.

Benefits

Full transparency and auditability through open-source code and direct provider connections.
Strong privacy controls with local transcription option and no middleman servers.
Lower and transparent costs by paying cloud providers directly and offering free local usage.

Limitations

Not optimized for extended, continuous recording sessions — the project recommends using a dedicated recording app for long recordings and then transcribing.
Cloud usage requires external provider API keys and may incur provider costs (users must pay providers directly).

Frequently Asked Questions

How is this different from other transcription apps?
Whispering is open source and provides transparency about where audio goes, allows auditing the code, and avoids middleman servers; audio goes directly to providers using your API keys or stays local with Speaches.
Can I use it completely free?
Yes. Multiple free options exist: Speaches for completely local transcription, Groq's free tier, or bringing your own API key. The app itself is free and open source forever.
Is my data secure?
Recordings stay on your device for local models; when using cloud providers audio goes directly to them using your API key. The site states 'No middleman servers, no data collection, no vendor lock-in.'
Which providers are supported?
Cloud: Groq (fastest and cheapest), OpenAI Whisper, and ElevenLabs. Local: Speaches runs completely offline.
Is Whispering suitable for long recordings?
Whispering is optimized for quick transcriptions with keyboard shortcuts; for extended recording sessions the site recommends using a dedicated recording app first then processing the audio with Whispering.

Getting Started

  1. 1 Download the native build for your platform (macOS .dmg, Windows .msi, or Linux release) or try the Web App in your browser.
  2. 2 Follow the 5-minute setup guide or watch the 5-minute setup video linked on the site.
  3. 3 Choose a provider: select local (Speaches) for offline use or configure your provider API keys (Groq, OpenAI, ElevenLabs) to use cloud models.

Support

docs

Complete setup guide and FAQ available on the site; 'Complete setup guide in 5 minutes' and 'FAQ'.

video

Watch a 5-minute setup guide linked from the site.

open-source repository

View on GitHub and star the project; releases and downloads are available via the repository/releases.

API

Available: No

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