OpenSeq2Seq
Don’t want to install OpenSeq2Seq? 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.
NVIDIA's TF1 framework — historical home of Jasper + QuartzNet.
Upstream is archived. OpenSeq2Seq’s repository has been set read-only by its owner, so there are no further releases, fixes, or security patches. The last commit landed 2021-05-11. It can still be cloned and run, and forks may be maintained elsewhere. See the repository.
Best for reference Jasper / QuartzNet checkpoints. Pricing: free.
What it is
The TF1 codebase that produced Jasper and QuartzNet. Apache-2.0.
Watch out for: Archived in favor of NeMo.
Install / use
git clone https://github.com/NVIDIA/OpenSeq2SeqWhat people actually do with OpenSeq2Seq-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 | 2 |
| HIPAA eligible | No |
Links
OpenSeq2Seq vs Whipscribe
| Feature | OpenSeq2Seq | 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 | 2 | 99 |
| Platforms | Linux | Web, API, MCP |
Alternatives to OpenSeq2Seq
Frequently asked about OpenSeq2Seq
Is OpenSeq2Seq free?
Yes. OpenSeq2Seq is free and open source.
Does OpenSeq2Seq work on Mac, Windows and Linux?
OpenSeq2Seq runs on Linux. It is not listed for other platforms; check the vendor for anything beyond Linux.
How do I install OpenSeq2Seq?
Clone and run it from source: `git clone https://github.com/NVIDIA/OpenSeq2Seq`. Expect to install its dependencies yourself — the README has the exact steps per OS.
How many languages does OpenSeq2Seq support?
OpenSeq2Seq lists 2 languages.
Does OpenSeq2Seq identify different speakers?
No. OpenSeq2Seq 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 OpenSeq2Seq give word-level timestamps?
Yes — OpenSeq2Seq produces timing per word, which is what subtitle cues and clip boundaries need.
Can OpenSeq2Seq transcribe live audio?
No — OpenSeq2Seq works on finished files, not a live stream.
Is OpenSeq2Seq HIPAA compliant?
OpenSeq2Seq 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 OpenSeq2Seq?
Archived in favor of NeMo.
Who is OpenSeq2Seq best for?
Reference Jasper / QuartzNet checkpoints.
Does OpenSeq2Seq run offline?
OpenSeq2Seq runs on your own machine — it is open source, so nothing leaves the computer unless you configure it to.
Can I use OpenSeq2Seq in the browser?
No — OpenSeq2Seq is a Linux application, not a web app. You install it rather than sign in to it.
Where is the OpenSeq2Seq source code?
On GitHub at github.com/NVIDIA/OpenSeq2Seq. It is maintained by NVIDIA.
What kind of tool is OpenSeq2Seq?
In this directory OpenSeq2Seq is filed under toolkit, framework, legacy as a open-source tool.
What are the alternatives to OpenSeq2Seq?
There is a side-by-side page at /tools/openseq2seq-alternatives comparing OpenSeq2Seq 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 OpenSeq2Seq 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
Explore
All transcription tools · By language · By platform · By file format · How-to guides · Transcription services · Transcription API · Pricing
Long recording to get through?
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.
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.