TensorFlow Lingvo

by Google

Don’t want to install TensorFlow Lingvo? 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.

Google's research-grade TF framework — original Conformer code.

Linux  ·  free

TL;DR

Best for reference recipes for Google's published ASR/MT papers. Pricing: free.

Category
Open source
License
Apache-2.0
Stars
★ 2.9k
Last push
2026-06-22
Pricing
free
Platforms
Linux

What it is

The TF research framework that produced Conformer. Apache-2.0.

Best for: Reference recipes for Google's published ASR/MT papers.
Watch out for: High-overhead build; less active than its heyday.

Install / use

What people actually do with TensorFlow Lingvo-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 Amazon S3n8nMake.comGoogle DriveZapierSlack

Features

Speaker diarizationNo
Word-level timestampsYes
Streaming / real-timeNo
Languages supported99
HIPAA eligibleNo

Links

GitHub repo ↗

TensorFlow Lingvo vs Whipscribe

FeatureTensorFlow LingvoWhipscribe
CategoryOpen sourceTranscription APIs
Pricingfree$6–$24 one-time packs (credits never expire) · first 20 minutes free
Speaker identificationNoNamed in the summary, key quotes and chapters
Word timestampsYesYes
StreamingNoNo
Languages9999
PlatformsLinuxWeb, API, MCP

Alternatives to TensorFlow Lingvo

Frequently asked about TensorFlow Lingvo

Is TensorFlow Lingvo free?

Yes. TensorFlow Lingvo is free and open source.

Does TensorFlow Lingvo work on Mac, Windows and Linux?

TensorFlow Lingvo runs on Linux. It is not listed for other platforms; check the vendor for anything beyond Linux.

How do I install TensorFlow Lingvo?

Clone and run it from source: `git clone https://github.com/tensorflow/lingvo`. Expect to install its dependencies yourself — the README has the exact steps per OS.

How many languages does TensorFlow Lingvo support?

TensorFlow Lingvo lists 99 languages. That is the Whisper-family multilingual set, so quality varies by language — English and the large European languages are strongest.

Does TensorFlow Lingvo identify different speakers?

No. TensorFlow Lingvo 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 TensorFlow Lingvo give word-level timestamps?

Yes — TensorFlow Lingvo produces timing per word, which is what subtitle cues and clip boundaries need.

Can TensorFlow Lingvo transcribe live audio?

No — TensorFlow Lingvo works on finished files, not a live stream.

Is TensorFlow Lingvo HIPAA compliant?

TensorFlow Lingvo 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 TensorFlow Lingvo?

High-overhead build; less active than its heyday.

Who is TensorFlow Lingvo best for?

Reference recipes for Google's published ASR/MT papers.

Does TensorFlow Lingvo run offline?

TensorFlow Lingvo runs on your own machine — it is open source, so nothing leaves the computer unless you configure it to.

Can I use TensorFlow Lingvo in the browser?

No — TensorFlow Lingvo is a Linux application, not a web app. You install it rather than sign in to it.

Where is the TensorFlow Lingvo source code?

On GitHub at github.com/tensorflow/lingvo. It is maintained by Google.

What kind of tool is TensorFlow Lingvo?

In this directory TensorFlow Lingvo is filed under toolkit, research, tensorflow as a open-source tool.

What are the alternatives to TensorFlow Lingvo?

There is a side-by-side page at /tools/tf-lingvo-alternatives comparing TensorFlow Lingvo with the closest tools in the same category on price, platform and features.

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