openai-python
Don’t want to install openai-python? 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.
Reference SDK — covers the Whisper + Realtime audio endpoints.
Best for calling OpenAI's audio APIs from Python. Pricing: free.
What it is
OpenAI's official Python SDK with audio support. Apache-2.0.
Watch out for: API key + paid usage required.
Install / use
pip install openaiWhat people actually do with openai-python-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 | Yes |
| Languages supported | 99 |
| HIPAA eligible | No |
Links
openai-python vs Whipscribe
| Feature | openai-python | 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 | Yes | No |
| Languages | 99 | 99 |
| Platforms | Linux, macOS, Windows | Web, API, MCP |
Alternatives to openai-python
Frequently asked about openai-python
Is openai-python free?
Yes. openai-python is free and open source.
Does openai-python work on Mac, Windows and Linux?
openai-python runs on Linux, macOS and Windows.
How do I install openai-python?
With pip: `pip install openai`. You need Python and, for most audio tools, ffmpeg on your PATH first.
How many languages does openai-python support?
openai-python lists 99 languages. That is the Whisper-family multilingual set, so quality varies by language — English and the large European languages are strongest.
Does openai-python identify different speakers?
No. openai-python 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 openai-python give word-level timestamps?
Yes — openai-python produces timing per word, which is what subtitle cues and clip boundaries need.
Can openai-python transcribe live audio?
Yes — openai-python supports streaming / live input, not just finished files.
Is openai-python HIPAA compliant?
openai-python 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 openai-python?
API key + paid usage required.
Who is openai-python best for?
Calling OpenAI's audio APIs from Python.
Does openai-python run offline?
openai-python runs on your own machine — it is open source, so nothing leaves the computer unless you configure it to.
Can I use openai-python in the browser?
No — openai-python is a Linux, macOS and Windows application, not a web app. You install it rather than sign in to it.
Where is the openai-python source code?
On GitHub at github.com/openai/openai-python.
What kind of tool is openai-python?
In this directory openai-python is filed under sdk, client, openai as a open-source tool.
What are the alternatives to openai-python?
There is a side-by-side page at /tools/openai-python-alternatives comparing openai-python 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 transcribing a long MP3 or M4A, a podcast episode as text from its link and the SRT file generator.
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