Buzz
github.com
Open-source desktop app for Whisper transcription.
Quick Information
- Category:
- Speech & Transcription
- Pricing:
- Free
- Platforms:
- macOS, Windows, Linux, Python
- Free Plan:
- Yes
- API Available:
- No
- Last Verified:
- October 2026
What Is Buzz?
Buzz is a free, open-source desktop app for transcribing and translating audio with OpenAI's Whisper models offline. Its GitHub page, read directly, shows an MIT licence and about 22,200 stars, 1,600 forks, 801 commits, 18 open issues and one open pull request, and the repository is not archived. It transcribes audio and video files or YouTube links, offers live real-time transcription from a microphone, separates speech before transcribing, identifies speakers and supports several Whisper backends including CUDA for Nvidia GPUs, Apple silicon and Vulkan for whisper.cpp, plus Hugging Face models. Exports include TXT, SRT and VTT, and there is a transcript viewer with search, playback and speed controls, a watch folder, a command-line interface and a plugin system such as AI summary generation.
Buzz runs on macOS with Apple silicon only, since the last Intel build was 1.4.5, on Windows through an unsigned installer from SourceForge, and on Linux via Flatpak, Snap or AppImage, with a Python package on PyPI that needs Python 3.12. The fetched copy showed no release tag or last-commit date, so I could not confirm recency, though the README mentions version 1.4.6 as upcoming and the project is widely used. It costs nothing, and the main costs are your hardware and time, since larger models need a capable GPU or a patient CPU. There is no cloud service, so your audio stays on your device.
Buzz suits developers, journalists and privacy-minded users who want free local transcription. Compare MacWhisper, Whisper and Superwhisper. Browse the Speech & Transcription tools directory for more.
What Can You Use Buzz For?
Offline file transcription
Whisper models.
Live microphone transcription
Real time.
Buzz Features
- CUDA, Apple silicon and Vulkan backends — Hardware acceleration.
- TXT, SRT, VTT export — Standard formats.
- Plugin system and CLI — Extensible.
Who Is Buzz For?
- Developers — CLI and plugins.
- Privacy-minded users — Local processing.
Buzz Pros & Limitations
What We Like
- Free and open source
- Works offline
- Cross-platform
Limitations
- Recency not confirmed here
- Unsigned Windows installer
- Intel Macs unsupported on new versions
Buzz Pricing
| Plan | Price | Main Features |
|---|---|---|
| Open source | Free (MIT licence) | Desktop app, CLI and Python package |
Pricing was last verified October 2026. Check the official website for the latest pricing.
AI Listing Jungle Ranking
- Global Rank:
- #1931
- Overall Score:
- 0.0/100
- Monthly Users:
- –
- Rank Change:
- ▲ 6
This ranking reflects AI Listing Jungle's own independent scoring methodology and is not an endorsement by Buzz or its company. How Our Rankings Work
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Buzz free?
Yes, MIT licensed.
Offline?
Yes.
Platforms?
Mac (Apple silicon), Windows, Linux.
Live transcription?
Yes, from the microphone.
Our Take
The go-to free Whisper GUI.
Larger models want a good GPU.
Buzz Alternatives
Buzz Comparisons
Ready to try Buzz?
Visit the official website to get started.
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