Kokoro TTS

by hexgrad (research)

Don’t want to install Kokoro TTS? 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.

Lightweight 82M-param open-source TTS — Apache-2.0, runs on a Raspberry Pi.

Linux, macOS, Windows  ·  free

TL;DR

Best for edge / on-device TTS where you need decent quality at 82M parameters. Pricing: free (Apache-2.0).

Category
Open source
License
Apache-2.0
Stars
★ 8.3k
Last push
2025-08-06
Pricing
free (Apache-2.0)
Platforms
Linux, macOS, Windows

What it is

Kokoro is a permissively-licensed 82M-parameter TTS model that punches above its weight on the MOS leaderboard for its size. Apache-2.0 license. Consent posture: synthetic-only.

Best for: Edge / on-device TTS where you need decent quality at 82M parameters.
Watch out for: Synthetic voices only — no cloning surface in the public model.

Install / use

pip install kokoro

What people actually do with Kokoro TTS-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.

Wire it into Amazon S3n8nMake.comGoogle DriveZapierSlack

Features

Speaker diarizationNo
Word-level timestampsNo
Streaming / real-timeNo
Languages supported8
HIPAA eligibleNo

Links

GitHub repo ↗

Kokoro TTS vs Whipscribe

FeatureKokoro TTSWhipscribe
CategoryOpen sourceTranscription APIs
Pricingfree (Apache-2.0)$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
Languages899
PlatformsLinux, macOS, WindowsWeb, API, MCP

Alternatives to Kokoro TTS

Frequently asked about Kokoro TTS

Is Kokoro TTS free?

Yes. Kokoro TTS is free and open source (free (Apache-2.0)).

Does Kokoro TTS work on Mac, Windows and Linux?

Kokoro TTS runs on Linux, macOS and Windows.

How do I install Kokoro TTS?

With pip: `pip install kokoro`. You need Python and, for most audio tools, ffmpeg on your PATH first.

How many languages does Kokoro TTS support?

Kokoro TTS lists 8 languages.

Does Kokoro TTS identify different speakers?

No. Kokoro TTS 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 Kokoro TTS give word-level timestamps?

No — Kokoro TTS produces segment or sentence timing only, so subtitle cues can land mid-word.

Can Kokoro TTS transcribe live audio?

No — Kokoro TTS works on finished files, not a live stream.

Is Kokoro TTS HIPAA compliant?

Kokoro TTS 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 Kokoro TTS?

Synthetic voices only — no cloning surface in the public model.

Who is Kokoro TTS best for?

Edge / on-device TTS where you need decent quality at 82M parameters.

Does Kokoro TTS run offline?

Kokoro TTS runs on your own machine — it is open source, so nothing leaves the computer unless you configure it to.

Can I use Kokoro TTS in the browser?

No — Kokoro TTS is a Linux, macOS and Windows application, not a web app. You install it rather than sign in to it.

Where is the Kokoro TTS source code?

On GitHub at github.com/hexgrad/kokoro. It is maintained by hexgrad (research).

What kind of tool is Kokoro TTS?

In this directory Kokoro TTS is filed under tts as a open-source tool.

What are the alternatives to Kokoro TTS?

There is a side-by-side page at /tools/kokoro-tts-alternatives comparing Kokoro TTS 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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Have the recording already?

Skip the setup and send the file or the link: see MP3 to text for long recordings, how to transcribe a podcast and the SRT generator.

Comparing tools before you pay?

If you would rather pay a service than run software yourself: see an honest roundup of the best transcription services, cheap transcription services and the real cost per hour and our transcription service with prices and turnaround.