Side by side
mercuryScribe vs OpenWhispr
Both stand on podcast transcription software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Open source LinuxMacSelf-hosted+2
mercuryScribe offers local transcription, speaker distinction, transcript editing, and several output formats without a software charge. Users need to arrange Hugging Face model access, and compliance suitability depends on their implementation.
Visit mercuryScribe
Free plan iPhoneLinuxMac+1
OpenWhispr combines cross-app dictation with meeting transcription and structured notes. The free plan has weekly transcription and monthly recording limits, while Pro costs $6.67/user/mo billed annually.
Visit OpenWhisprThe facts
| mercuryScribe | OpenWhispr | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows | iPhone, Linux, Mac, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Pro: $6.67 a month |
| Plans published | 1 | 4 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | mercuryscribe.com | openwhispr.com |
| On podcast transcription software | #1 of 25 | #5 of 25 |
mercuryScribe: what it does well
- Free and open source under the MIT license.
- Audio, transcripts, and metadata are not sent to external services.
- Supports speaker distinction and transcript editing.
- Exports VTT, HTML, and DOCX files.
- Runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, and web.
What to know first
- Requires a Hugging Face access token.
- Users must accept terms for required models.
- HIPAA or GDPR suitability depends on implementation.
OpenWhispr: what it does well
- Supports 100+ languages with automatic detection
- Meeting notes can include decisions and action items
- Local processing keeps audio on the user's device
- Free plan includes 2,000 words per week
What to know first
- Free plan limits meeting recordings to five hours monthly
- Pro costs $6.67/user/mo billed annually
Alternatives to mercuryScribe Alternatives to OpenWhispr The whole list