textlesslib
Don’t want to install textlesslib? 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.
Speech-without-text framework from Meta.
Upstream is archived. textlesslib’s repository has been set read-only by its owner, so there are no further releases, fixes, or security patches. The last commit landed 2023-08-29. It can still be cloned and run, and forks may be maintained elsewhere. See the repository.
Best for researchers studying textless speech processing. Pricing: free.
What it is
Library for textless NLP/speech research. MIT.
Watch out for: Research-only.
Install / use
What people actually do with textlesslib-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 | 1 |
| HIPAA eligible | No |
Links
textlesslib vs Whipscribe
| Feature | textlesslib | 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 | 1 | 99 |
| Platforms | Linux | Web, API, MCP |
Alternatives to textlesslib
Frequently asked about textlesslib
Is textlesslib free?
Yes. textlesslib is free and open source.
Does textlesslib work on Mac, Windows and Linux?
textlesslib runs on Linux. It is not listed for other platforms; check the vendor for anything beyond Linux.
How do I install textlesslib?
Clone and run it from source: `git clone https://github.com/facebookresearch/textlesslib`. Expect to install its dependencies yourself — the README has the exact steps per OS.
How many languages does textlesslib support?
textlesslib lists 1 languages.
Does textlesslib identify different speakers?
No. textlesslib 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 textlesslib give word-level timestamps?
Yes — textlesslib produces timing per word, which is what subtitle cues and clip boundaries need.
Can textlesslib transcribe live audio?
No — textlesslib works on finished files, not a live stream.
Is textlesslib HIPAA compliant?
textlesslib 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 textlesslib?
Research-only.
Who is textlesslib best for?
Researchers studying textless speech processing.
Does textlesslib run offline?
textlesslib runs on your own machine — it is open source, so nothing leaves the computer unless you configure it to.
Can I use textlesslib in the browser?
No — textlesslib is a Linux application, not a web app. You install it rather than sign in to it.
Where is the textlesslib source code?
On GitHub at github.com/facebookresearch/textlesslib. It is maintained by Meta AI.
What kind of tool is textlesslib?
In this directory textlesslib is filed under research, speech llm as a open-source tool.
What are the alternatives to textlesslib?
There is a side-by-side page at /tools/textless-lib-alternatives comparing textlesslib 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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