whisper.cpp
The score measures project health and popularity. It is not a hands-on review. How it works
A lightweight version of Whisper that transcribes quickly on ordinary laptops with no graphics card.
- Some setup
- Works on Windows, Mac, Linux
The openness label
- Code
- Open source, MIT
- Models
- Open weights
- Runs
- On your computer
- Real cost
- Free
What you need to run it
About 4 GB of memory. No graphics card needed.
These are our estimates for comfortable use. Enter your computer's specs to see a verdict on every tool.
- 55,103 stars on GitHub
- Last updated 2026-11-10
- Latest release v1.9.5
Quick answers
Is whisper.cpp free?
Yes. whisper.cpp is free and open source, released under the MIT license. There is nothing to buy and no subscription.
Does whisper.cpp run on my own computer?
Yes. whisper.cpp runs entirely on your own computer, so your files and prompts stay with you.
What do I need to run whisper.cpp?
About 4 GB of memory. No graphics card needed. It works on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Is whisper.cpp still maintained?
Yes. The whisper.cpp project was last updated on 2026-11-10.
What paid tools can whisper.cpp replace?
People use whisper.cpp as a free alternative to VEED and CapCut.
Checked by Forkopolis on November 11, 2026.
