ggml
Don’t want to install ggml? 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.
The tensor library underneath llama.cpp + whisper.cpp.
Best for building new C/C++ ASR runtimes with INT4/INT5/INT8 quantization. Pricing: free.
What it is
The C tensor library powering llama.cpp + whisper.cpp. MIT.
Watch out for: Lower-level than whisper.cpp itself.
Install / use
git clone https://github.com/ggerganov/ggmlWhat people actually do with ggml-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 | 99 |
| HIPAA eligible | No |
Links
ggml vs Whipscribe
| Feature | ggml | 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 | 99 | 99 |
| Platforms | Linux, macOS, Windows | Web, API, MCP |
Alternatives to ggml
Frequently asked about ggml
Is ggml free?
Yes. ggml is free and open source.
Does ggml work on Mac, Windows and Linux?
ggml runs on Linux, macOS and Windows.
How do I install ggml?
Clone and run it from source: `git clone https://github.com/ggerganov/ggml`. Expect to install its dependencies yourself — the README has the exact steps per OS.
How many languages does ggml support?
ggml lists 99 languages. That is the Whisper-family multilingual set, so quality varies by language — English and the large European languages are strongest.
Does ggml identify different speakers?
No. ggml 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 ggml give word-level timestamps?
Yes — ggml produces timing per word, which is what subtitle cues and clip boundaries need.
Can ggml transcribe live audio?
No — ggml works on finished files, not a live stream.
Is ggml HIPAA compliant?
ggml 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 ggml?
Lower-level than whisper.cpp itself.
Who is ggml best for?
Building new C/C++ ASR runtimes with INT4/INT5/INT8 quantization.
Does ggml run offline?
ggml runs on your own machine — it is open source, so nothing leaves the computer unless you configure it to.
Can I use ggml in the browser?
No — ggml is a Linux, macOS and Windows application, not a web app. You install it rather than sign in to it.
Where is the ggml source code?
On GitHub at github.com/ggerganov/ggml. It is maintained by ggml.ai.
What kind of tool is ggml?
In this directory ggml is filed under framework, edge, quantization as a open-source tool.
What are the alternatives to ggml?
There is a side-by-side page at /tools/ggml-alternatives comparing ggml 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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One file up to 10 hours, as an upload or a link: see MP3 to text for long recordings, transcribing a podcast episode and the SRT file generator.
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