ELAN

Name: ELAN
Author: ELAN

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

What ELAN is

ELAN is a free tool for annotating audio and video recordings, particularly for work on languages, sign languages, and gestures. Users can create unlimited text annotations, including words, sentences, glosses, comments, translations, and descriptions. Annotations can be arranged in hierarchical tiers, aligned with media time, or linked to other annotations. Multiple views stay synchronized with the media timeline, and controlled vocabularies are supported. Each annotation document can link up to four video files. Annotation text supports Unicode, and documents use the XML-based EAF format. Media compatibility depends on the operating system and its available native frameworks, including Windows Media Player, QuickTime, or VLC. ELAN is written in Java, with distributions for Windows, macOS, and Linux; its source is available under GPL 3. The download page lists version 7.1, which adds export to REFI project files for qualitative data analysis software. The maker describes this as a one-time integration with no current plans for further extension. Documentation includes online and PDF manuals, an introductory guide, and a media encoding guide. Users can also consult the forum or contact the support desk.

Who it suits

ELAN suits people annotating language, sign-language, gesture, or other audio and video media corpora. Its time-aligned tiers and controlled vocabularies support structured annotation work.

What it does well

Free, with Windows, macOS, and Linux distributions
Supports unlimited textual annotations
Aligns annotations with media time and hierarchical tiers
Annotation text supports Unicode
Includes manuals, guides, a forum, and support desk

What to know first

A document can link up to four video files
Media compatibility depends on the operating system
REFI export is described as a one-time integration

Getting started

Visit the ELAN website.
Choose the Windows, macOS or Linux distribution.
Install the package for your operating system.
Consult the online or PDF manual, introductory guide or media encoding guide.

Verdict

ELAN provides detailed, time-aligned annotation tools for audio and video, with a free version for three desktop operating systems. Check media compatibility for the operating system in use, and note the stated limit of four linked videos per document.

Questions

How much does ELAN cost?

ELAN is free, with a free plan.

Which operating systems are supported?

ELAN has distributions for Windows, macOS and Linux.

Is ELAN open source?

Yes. Its source is available under GPL 3.

How many video files can a document link?

An annotation document can link up to four video files.

What export does version 7.1 add?

ELAN 7.1 adds export to REFI project files for qualitative data analysis software. The maker describes this as a one-time integration with no current plans for further extension.

Where can users get help?

Users can search or post on the ELAN forum or contact the support desk through a form.

Facts from ELAN's own pages

Annotations: Users can add an unlimited number of textual annotations, including sentences, words, glosses, comments, translations, and descriptions. · archive.mpi.nl, 29 Sept 2026
Current release: The download page lists ELAN 7.1 and provides packages for Windows, macOS and Linux. · archive.mpi.nl, 28 Sept 2026
Documentation: Documentation includes an online manual, a downloadable PDF manual, a short introductory guide, and a media encoding guide. · archive.mpi.nl, 29 Sept 2026
File format: Annotation content uses Unicode text and documents are stored in XML format (EAF). · archive.mpi.nl, 29 Sept 2026
Free plan: Yes · archive.mpi.nl, 20 Sept 2026
Headquarters: Nijmegen, Netherlands · archive.mpi.nl, 28 Sept 2026
Integrations and export: Release 7.1 added export to REFI project files (.qdpx) for qualitative data analysis software; the release notes describe it as a one-time integration with no current plans for further extension. · archive.mpi.nl, 29 Sept 2026
Intended audience: ELAN is specifically designed for analysis of languages, sign languages, and gestures, and can also be used by people working with audio or video media corpora. · mpi.nl, 29 Sept 2026
Intended users: ELAN is presented as a tool for annotating audio and video recordings, with features such as tiers, time alignment and controlled vocabularies. · archive.mpi.nl, 28 Sept 2026
Media compatibility: Media support builds on native frameworks such as Windows Media Player, QuickTime, or VLC, and supported formats depend on the operating system. · archive.mpi.nl, 29 Sept 2026
Media support: Audio and video format support depends on the operating system and uses available native media frameworks, including Windows Media Player, QuickTime or VLC. · archive.mpi.nl, 28 Sept 2026
Platforms and license: ELAN is written in Java, has distributions for Windows, macOS and Linux, and its source is available under GPL 3. · archive.mpi.nl, 28 Sept 2026
Purpose: ELAN is an annotation tool for audio and video recordings. · archive.mpi.nl, 29 Sept 2026
Security and compliance: The product page states that ELAN is open source under GPL 3; it does not state a security certification or compliance standard. · archive.mpi.nl, 29 Sept 2026
Support: Users can search or post on the ELAN forum, contact the support desk through a form, and subscribe to release announcements by mailing list. · archive.mpi.nl, 29 Sept 2026
Tiers and timing: Annotations can be organized into hierarchically connected tiers and time-aligned to media or linked to other annotations. · archive.mpi.nl, 29 Sept 2026
Video limit: An annotation document can link up to four video files. · archive.mpi.nl, 29 Sept 2026
Views: ELAN provides several annotation views synchronized with the media timeline. · archive.mpi.nl, 29 Sept 2026
Views and vocabulary: The software provides multiple annotation views synchronized with the media timeline and supports controlled vocabularies. · archive.mpi.nl, 28 Sept 2026