Taguette

Taguette is free, open-source software for coding qualitative research documents. It suits researchers whose work centers on tagging passages in text, particularly those who want local or self-hosted use. Its focused coding and export workflow is useful, but desktop mode is single-user and the hosted service is a poor fit for sensitive records.

Overview

Taguette is built around a clear sequence: import documents, highlight passages, assign tags, and export the coded work. That makes it a sensible choice when document coding is the main job, rather than a need for a broader research or analytics suite.

It accepts PDF, DOCX, TXT, HTML, EPUB, MOBI, ODT, and RTF files. Tags can be created, merged, and applied singly or in combination to selected text. This covers the basic structure of a coding project without adding unnecessary complexity, though the tool is centered on documents rather than other kinds of research material.

Key features

Exports include projects, codebooks, highlights, and highlighted documents. Depending on the export, formats include QDC, CSV, XLSX, DOCX, HTML, and PDF. The range makes it easier to preserve a project or move coded material into spreadsheets and documents, while the export type determines which formats apply.

Collaboration depends on how Taguette is deployed: hosted and self-hosted server use support collaborative projects, while desktop use is single-user. That is a meaningful distinction for teams; an individual can work locally, but a group needs a server setup or the hosted service.

Local data stays on the user's machine, and project contents can be exported. The hosted service says it makes encrypted daily backups and does not share or sell user data, but its FAQ advises against uploading sensitive material such as patient information or student records. It runs on a rented dedicated server in France, with daily encrypted backups retained for a year in AWS. The privacy caution should outweigh the convenience of hosting for research involving sensitive records.

Pricing

Taguette costs nothing. The free plan covers use on a computer, installation on a server, or use of the hosted server; there is no free trial because the software is free to use. Desktop use is single-user, while hosted and server use support collaboration, so the choice is about deployment and privacy rather than a paid tier or seat upgrade.

Desktop use is the most straightforward no-cost route for a solo researcher who wants data to remain local. Self-hosting also avoids reliance on the hosted service, but requires installing and maintaining a server. The hosted option lowers that setup burden, though the warning against sensitive records makes it unsuitable for some research projects.

Platforms

Taguette supports Linux, macOS, Windows, self-hosted servers, and web use through its hosted service. It provides Windows and macOS installers, Linux installation through pip, and Docker or native server installation options. The choice gives users deployment flexibility, but server installations can require more technical upkeep than a desktop app.

Document conversion uses Calibre. Server setups can use databases supported by SQLAlchemy, though the maker warns that untested database backends may cause issues. These dependencies are worth considering for anyone responsible for installation or troubleshooting.

Who it's for

Taguette is aimed at qualitative research, including work in anthropology, education, nursing, psychology, sociology, and marketing. It is a good fit for researchers coding document-based material who value free access, project exports, or control over local and self-hosted data. Teams can collaborate through a server, but those who need a simple shared desktop workflow will find the single-user desktop mode limiting.

Support is available by email and through GitLab issues. The team does not work on Taguette full-time, so users who need dedicated, rapid support may prefer a product with a stronger support commitment.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Free use across desktop, hosted, and self-hosted options makes it accessible to solo researchers and teams without a software license charge.
• Pros: Broad document import and export support helps researchers bring common file types into a coding workflow and take results into spreadsheets or documents.
• Pros: Local storage and exportable project contents give users control over their work outside the hosted service.
• Cons: Desktop mode is single-user, so collaboration requires hosted or server deployment.
• Cons: The hosted service is not recommended for sensitive records, limiting its suitability for some education and health research.
• Cons: Server setup, document conversion, and database choices can introduce technical work, and untested database backends may cause problems.

Alternatives

Text Analytics Software is a useful place to compare tools across the category. Consider Voyant Tools instead if you want a free, open-source text analysis environment with a hosted web app and downloadable local server. QualCoder is another free, open-source qualitative analysis option for Linux, macOS, and Windows; its optional AI features may require a separate provider account or paid usage.

Dovetail is worth considering for web-based text analytics: its free plan includes one channel, one project, basic chat, and AI summaries. spaCy is a free alternative from Explosion, a software company specializing in developer tools and services for AI and natural language processing.

CallMiner Eureka is a paid web and API option whose pricing depends on user count or interaction volume, analytics modules, integrations, and deployment. DiscoverText offers a free plan and trial, while its Professional plan costs $99 a month and includes 100,000 Units, 25 Live Data Feeds, and one Professional Seat. Quirkos is a paid option with a free trial; its Cloud Student plan costs $5 a month, billed annually.

Verdict

Choose Taguette if you need a free, focused tool for coding qualitative documents and want the option to keep projects local or run your own collaborative server. Its document imports, tagging, and varied exports cover the core workflow without a license cost. Look elsewhere if desktop collaboration is essential, you need to put sensitive records on a hosted service, or you expect dedicated support.