Balabolka
Don’t want to install Balabolka? Drop the file here.
The first 20 minutes of any recording are transcribed free: a recording up to 20 minutes transcribes in full, a longer one is previewed, and a pack from $6 (500 minutes) transcribes the rest and opens every export, and credits never expire.
Free Windows TTS reader — uses installed SAPI voices, scriptable, no telemetry.
Best for windows users who want a free, offline TTS reader that uses already-installed system voices. Pricing: free.
What it is
Balabolka is a freeware Windows TTS frontend by Ilya Morozov that wraps SAPI4/SAPI5 + Microsoft Speech Platform voices. Long-running, no telemetry, scriptable from the command line.
Watch out for: Windows-only. Voice quality is whatever SAPI / Microsoft voices you have installed — modern neural voices not bundled.
Install / use
Download from cross-plus-a.com
What people actually do with Balabolka-style transcription
The tool is the means. These are the jobs — each one priced at published rates, each one wired up on its own page.
Features
| Speaker diarization | No |
| Word-level timestamps | No |
| Streaming / real-time | No |
| Languages supported | 99 |
| HIPAA eligible | No |
Balabolka vs Whipscribe
| Feature | Balabolka | Whipscribe |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Desktop apps | Transcription APIs |
| Pricing | free | $6–$24 one-time packs (credits never expire) · first 20 minutes free |
| Speaker identification | — | Named in the summary, key quotes and chapters |
| Word timestamps | — | Yes |
| Streaming | — | No |
| Languages | 99 | 99 |
| Platforms | Windows | Web, API, MCP |
Alternatives to Balabolka
Frequently asked about Balabolka
Is Balabolka free?
Yes. Balabolka is free.
Does Balabolka work on Mac, Windows and Linux?
Balabolka runs on Windows. It is not listed for other platforms; check the vendor for anything beyond Windows.
How do I install Balabolka?
Download the installer for your platform from the vendor. No terminal needed.
How many languages does Balabolka support?
Balabolka lists 99 languages. That is the Whisper-family multilingual set, so quality varies by language — English and the large European languages are strongest.
Does Balabolka identify different speakers?
No. Balabolka does not label speakers; a conversation comes back as one continuous text. If you need speaker labels, that is a separate tool or a different service.
Does Balabolka give word-level timestamps?
No — Balabolka produces segment or sentence timing only, so subtitle cues can land mid-word.
Can Balabolka transcribe live audio?
No — Balabolka works on finished files, not a live stream.
Is Balabolka HIPAA compliant?
Balabolka does not claim HIPAA compliance. For PHI, run it on infrastructure you control or choose a service that will sign a BAA.
What are the limitations of Balabolka?
Windows-only. Voice quality is whatever SAPI / Microsoft voices you have installed — modern neural voices not bundled.
Who is Balabolka best for?
Windows users who want a free, offline TTS reader that uses already-installed system voices.
Does Balabolka run offline?
Balabolka runs on your own machine as a desktop app. Check whether the model runs locally or calls a cloud service — some desktop tools do both.
Can I use Balabolka in the browser?
No — Balabolka is a Windows application, not a web app. You install it rather than sign in to it.
Who makes Balabolka?
Balabolka is made by Ilya Morozov.
What kind of tool is Balabolka?
In this directory Balabolka is filed under multilingual tts as a desktop app.
What are the alternatives to Balabolka?
There is a side-by-side page at /tools/balabolka-alternatives comparing Balabolka with the closest tools in the same category on price, platform and features.
Whipscribe is a hosted transcription service. If you want transcripts without running infrastructure, paste a URL or drop a file in the form below — you'll have a transcript in seconds.
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