RETURNN
Don’t want to install RETURNN? 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.
RWTH's flexible neural network training framework for ASR research.
Best for academic groups running highly customized E2E ASR experiments. Pricing: free.
What it is
The RWTH Extensible Training Framework for RNNs. RWTHs' speech group ships their CSR systems here. RETURNN public license (MIT-style).
Watch out for: Steep learning curve; config-file-driven; small community.
Install / use
pip install returnnWhat people actually do with RETURNN-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 Make.comGoogle DriveEmergentNotionYouTubeAmazon S3
Features
| Speaker diarization | No |
| Word-level timestamps | Yes |
| Streaming / real-time | No |
| Languages supported | 20 |
| HIPAA eligible | No |
Links
RETURNN vs Whipscribe
| Feature | RETURNN | 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 | 20 | 99 |
| Platforms | Linux | Web, API, MCP |
Alternatives to RETURNN
Frequently asked about RETURNN
Is RETURNN free?
Yes. RETURNN is free and open source.
Does RETURNN work on Mac, Windows and Linux?
RETURNN runs on Linux. It is not listed for other platforms; check the vendor for anything beyond Linux.
How do I install RETURNN?
With pip: `pip install returnn`. You need Python and, for most audio tools, ffmpeg on your PATH first.
How many languages does RETURNN support?
RETURNN lists 20 languages.
Does RETURNN identify different speakers?
No. RETURNN 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 RETURNN give word-level timestamps?
Yes — RETURNN produces timing per word, which is what subtitle cues and clip boundaries need.
Can RETURNN transcribe live audio?
No — RETURNN works on finished files, not a live stream.
Is RETURNN HIPAA compliant?
RETURNN 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 RETURNN?
Steep learning curve; config-file-driven; small community.
Who is RETURNN best for?
Academic groups running highly customized E2E ASR experiments.
Does RETURNN run offline?
RETURNN runs on your own machine — it is open source, so nothing leaves the computer unless you configure it to.
Can I use RETURNN in the browser?
No — RETURNN is a Linux application, not a web app. You install it rather than sign in to it.
Where is the RETURNN source code?
On GitHub at github.com/rwth-i6/returnn. It is maintained by RWTH Aachen.
What kind of tool is RETURNN?
In this directory RETURNN is filed under toolkit, framework, research as a open-source tool.
What are the alternatives to RETURNN?
There is a side-by-side page at /tools/returnn-alternatives comparing RETURNN 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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