EnCodec
Don’t want to install EnCodec? 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.
Neural audio codec — used by SeamlessM4T + many speech-LMs.
Best for token-level audio I/O for speech-LMs and codec-based ASR. Pricing: free.
What it is
A high-fidelity neural audio codec. MIT.
Watch out for: Codec, not transcription.
Install / use
pip install encodecWhat people actually do with EnCodec-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 | Yes |
| Streaming / real-time | No |
| Languages supported | 1 |
| HIPAA eligible | No |
Links
EnCodec vs Whipscribe
| Feature | EnCodec | Whipscribe |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Open source | Transcription APIs |
| Pricing | free | $6–$24 one-time packs (credits never expire) · first 20 minutes free |
| Speaker identification | No | Named in the summary, key quotes and chapters |
| Word timestamps | Yes | Yes |
| Streaming | No | No |
| Languages | 1 | 99 |
| Platforms | Linux | Web, API, MCP |
Alternatives to EnCodec
Frequently asked about EnCodec
Is EnCodec free?
Yes. EnCodec is free and open source.
Does EnCodec work on Mac, Windows and Linux?
EnCodec runs on Linux. It is not listed for other platforms; check the vendor for anything beyond Linux.
How do I install EnCodec?
With pip: `pip install encodec`. You need Python and, for most audio tools, ffmpeg on your PATH first.
How many languages does EnCodec support?
EnCodec lists 1 languages.
Does EnCodec identify different speakers?
No. EnCodec 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 EnCodec give word-level timestamps?
Yes — EnCodec produces timing per word, which is what subtitle cues and clip boundaries need.
Can EnCodec transcribe live audio?
No — EnCodec works on finished files, not a live stream.
Is EnCodec HIPAA compliant?
EnCodec 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 EnCodec?
Codec, not transcription.
Who is EnCodec best for?
Token-level audio I/O for speech-LMs and codec-based ASR.
Does EnCodec run offline?
EnCodec runs on your own machine — it is open source, so nothing leaves the computer unless you configure it to.
Can I use EnCodec in the browser?
No — EnCodec is a Linux application, not a web app. You install it rather than sign in to it.
Where is the EnCodec source code?
On GitHub at github.com/facebookresearch/encodec. It is maintained by Meta AI.
What kind of tool is EnCodec?
In this directory EnCodec is filed under codec, research as a open-source tool.
What are the alternatives to EnCodec?
There is a side-by-side page at /tools/encodec-alternatives comparing EnCodec 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.
Transcribe your recordings
Running EnCodec yourself? Send the same file here and compare the transcript. Transcribe any language, any recording · Transcription services from $0.29 an hour · Transcribe from any meeting or recording platform · How to transcribe, step by step
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Long recording to get through?
One file up to 10 hours, as an upload or a link: see transcribing a long MP3 or M4A, transcribing a podcast episode and the SRT file generator.
Comparing tools before you pay?
If you would rather pay a service than run software yourself: see how the best transcription services compare, cheap transcription services and the real cost per hour and transcription services from $6.