OpenVoiceOS
Don’t want to install OpenVoiceOS? 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.
Community continuation of Mycroft — modular open-source voice assistant for Linux + Pi.
Best for self-hosting a privacy-respecting voice assistant on a Raspberry Pi 4/5 with no cloud dependency. Pricing: free.
What it is
OpenVoiceOS (OVOS) is the modular reboot of Mycroft. It separates ASR, TTS, intent parser, and skills into pluggable layers, so you can pair Vosk with Whisper-server with a Llama-based intent handler.
Watch out for: Setup is hobbyist-grade; documentation patchy; speech-to-text quality depends on the chosen plug-in (Vosk, Whisper, etc.).
Install / use
openvoiceos.org — Raspberry Pi images + Docker
What people actually do with OpenVoiceOS-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 | No |
| Streaming / real-time | Yes |
| Languages supported | 8 |
| HIPAA eligible | No |
Links
OpenVoiceOS vs Whipscribe
| Feature | OpenVoiceOS | Whipscribe |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Open source | Transcription APIs |
| Pricing | free | $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 | Yes | No |
| Languages | 8 | 99 |
| Platforms | Linux, Hardware | Web, API, MCP |
Alternatives to OpenVoiceOS
Frequently asked about OpenVoiceOS
Is OpenVoiceOS free?
Yes. OpenVoiceOS is free and open source.
Does OpenVoiceOS work on Mac, Windows and Linux?
OpenVoiceOS runs on Linux and Hardware. It is not listed for other platforms; check the vendor for anything beyond Linux and Hardware.
How do I get started with OpenVoiceOS?
There is nothing to install — OpenVoiceOS is used in the browser. Create an account on the vendor's site and upload or connect your audio.
How many languages does OpenVoiceOS support?
OpenVoiceOS lists 8 languages.
Does OpenVoiceOS identify different speakers?
No. OpenVoiceOS 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 OpenVoiceOS give word-level timestamps?
No — OpenVoiceOS produces segment or sentence timing only, so subtitle cues can land mid-word.
Can OpenVoiceOS transcribe live audio?
Yes — OpenVoiceOS supports streaming / live input, not just finished files.
Is OpenVoiceOS HIPAA compliant?
OpenVoiceOS 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 OpenVoiceOS?
Setup is hobbyist-grade; documentation patchy; speech-to-text quality depends on the chosen plug-in (Vosk, Whisper, etc.).
Who is OpenVoiceOS best for?
Self-hosting a privacy-respecting voice assistant on a Raspberry Pi 4/5 with no cloud dependency.
Does OpenVoiceOS run offline?
OpenVoiceOS runs on your own machine — it is open source, so nothing leaves the computer unless you configure it to.
Can I use OpenVoiceOS in the browser?
No — OpenVoiceOS is a Linux and Hardware application, not a web app. You install it rather than sign in to it.
Where is the OpenVoiceOS source code?
On GitHub at github.com/OpenVoiceOS/ovos-core. It is maintained by OpenVoiceOS community.
What kind of tool is OpenVoiceOS?
In this directory OpenVoiceOS is filed under voice assistant, self hosted as a open-source tool.
What are the alternatives to OpenVoiceOS?
There is a side-by-side page at /tools/openvoiceos-alternatives comparing OpenVoiceOS 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 OpenVoiceOS 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 MP3 to text for long recordings, transcribing a podcast episode and the SRT generator.
Comparing tools before you pay?
If you would rather pay a service than run software yourself: see how the best transcription services compare, the cheapest way to transcribe an hour of audio and transcription services from $6.