Top 10 Open Source Alternatives to Otter.ai in 2025

In 2025, the demand for effective speech-to-text solutions has soared, leading to the emergence of numerous alternatives to Otter.ai. This article delves into the top 10 alternatives, some of which are open-source, evaluating their key features, use cases, and other essential data points.

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1. Whisper Transcription

Description: Developed by OpenAI, Whisper is a flexible, open-source speech recognition system. It is trained on a massive dataset, making it robust for various languages and complex audio.
Key Features:
Multilingual support.
Handles complex audio with high accuracy.
Capable of translating speech into English.
Local processing without an internet connection.
Customizable for developers.
Data Points:
Accuracy: High in various languages.
Languages: Multilingual, including English, Spanish, French, and more.
Customization: Highly customizable by developers.
Cost: Free and open-source.
Best Use Case: Multilingual audio transcription, developers creating custom workflows, transcribing voice memos.
Learn more about Whisper Transcription

2. DeepSpeech

Description: Developed by Mozilla, DeepSpeech is an open-source speech-to-text engine using a deep neural network and language model for accuracy.
Key Features:
Converts audio to text using a deep neural network.
Includes a language model to enhance transcription accuracy.
Suitable for real-time tasks and training.
Supports multiple languages and platforms.
Flexible and can be retrained for specific needs.
Data Points:
Accuracy: Good, serves both as a transcriber and grammar checker.
Languages: Multiple languages supported.
Customization: Highly flexible and retrainable.
Cost: Free and open-source.
Best Use Case: Developers needing a flexible, trainable speech-to-text engine for real-time transcription and various projects.
Explore DeepSpeech

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3. Tactiq

Description: Tactiq is a browser-based tool for transcribing meetings in real-time on platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams.
Key Features:
Real-time transcription during meetings.
AI-powered summaries, action items, and follow-up emails.
Browser-based with no downloads required.
Data Points:
Accuracy: Accurate, actionable transcripts.
Platforms: Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams compatible.
Features: AI summaries, action items, follow-up emails.
Cost: Free plan available.
Best Use Case: Virtual meetings, note-taking, generating summaries and action items.
Learn more about Tactiq

4. VoicePing

Description: A browser-based tool that combines real-time translation and transcription, designed initially for meetings but now includes video transcription.
Key Features:
Supports multiple languages for transcription and translation.
High-precision AI summaries.
No installation needed; upload videos directly in the browser.
Data Points:
Accuracy: High-accuracy AI summaries.
Languages: Supports Japanese, English, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese.
Cost: Free for basic functionalities.
Best Use Case: Daily transcription tasks, user-friendly tool, Asian language support.
Explore VoicePing

5. Restream

Description: Restream is a free, AI-powered tool for transcribing video to text, emphasizing ease of use and accessibility.
Key Features:
AI-powered transcription.
Multi-language support (15 languages).
Browser-based with no downloads needed.
Data Points:
Accuracy: High due to AI power.
Languages: Supports 15 languages including English, Spanish, French.
Security: Data is deleted from servers after transcription.
Cost: Free plan with unlimited video transcriptions.
Best Use Case: Quick and accurate video transcriptions, multi-language support.
Learn more about Restream

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6. oTranscribe

Description: oTranscribe is a free, open-source tool for manual transcription, combining text and audio processing functions in one platform.
Key Features:
Online transcription services.
Audio controls for play, pause, rewind, fast-forward, speed adjustments.
No sign-up or personal information required.
Data Points:
Accuracy: Manual transcription accuracy hinges on the user.
Platforms: Browser-based.
Cost: Free.
Best Use Case: Users preferring manual transcription with complete audio playback control.
Discover oTranscribe

7. TurboScribe

Description: TurboScribe is known for its AI-powered transcription software with high accuracy and noise-filtering capabilities.
Key Features:
Accurate transcription with noise filtering.
Integration with ChatGPT for prompts.
Data Points:
Accuracy: High, with noise filtering.
Integration: Compatible with ChatGPT.
Cost: Free plan available.
Best Use Case: Meetings, interviews, and podcasts.
Learn more about TurboScribe

8. Notta

Description: Notta is a multilingual transcription and translation tool, also offering real-time summaries.
Key Features:
Supports 58 languages.
Multilingual transcription and translations.
Real-time summaries.
Data Points:
Accuracy: High for audio and video file transcription.
Languages: Supports 58 languages.
Cost: Free plan available.
Best Use Case: Accurate audio/video file and live meeting transcription, meeting multilingual needs.
Explore Notta

9. Happy Scribe

Description: Happy Scribe provides multilingual automatic transcription and subtitle creation.
Key Features:
Supports over 120 languages.
Quick conversion of audio and video to text.
Easy creation of multilingual subtitles.
Data Points:
Accuracy: Highly accurate text conversion.
Languages: Supports over 120 languages.
Cost: Free plan available.
Best Use Case: Global content production, automated subtitling and transcription.
Learn more about Happy Scribe

10. Jamie AI

Description: Jamie AI focuses on offline meeting management, transcription, and AI summaries without the need for meeting bots.
Key Features:
Offline meeting management.
Transcription and AI summaries.
Operates without meeting bots.
Data Points:
Accuracy: Accurate for transcription and summarization.
Features: AI summaries, bot-free.
Cost: Free plan available.
Best Use Case: Offline meeting management without the need for bots.
Discover Jamie AI

Note on Open Source:

While many transcription tools are proprietary, this list highlights open-source solutions where possible, balancing considerations of cost, features, and levels of customization.

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FAQ

1. What are some open-source alternatives to Otter.ai in 2025?

Whisper Transcription and DeepSpeech are two notable open-source alternatives. Whisper offers multilingual support and customization for developers, while DeepSpeech uses a deep neural network for accuracy and supports multiple languages. Explore Whisper | Discover DeepSpeech

2. Which tool is best for real-time meeting transcription?

Tactiq provides real-time transcription during meetings on platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams. It offers AI-powered summaries and actionable insights. Learn more about Tactiq

3. Is there a tool that supports multilingual transcription and translation?

Notta stands out with support for 58 languages, offering both transcription and translation capabilities, as well as real-time summaries. Check out Notta

4. Which alternative offers high accuracy in transcription?

TurboScribe is known for its high accuracy and noise-filtering capabilities. It also integrates with ChatGPT for prompts. Explore TurboScribe

5. What is a good tool for transcription and video transcription tasks?

Restream is a browser-based service that provides AI-powered transcription for videos supporting 15 languages, ensuring high accuracy and security. Discover Restream

6. Are there tools available for manual transcription?

Yes, oTranscribe is a free, open-source tool that offers users full control over their transcription process with features like audio controls. Learn about oTranscribe

7. Which tool is best suited for multilingual subtitles and audio-to-text conversion?

Happy Scribe supports over 120 languages and is well-suited for converting audio and video to text and creating multilingual subtitles. Explore Happy Scribe

8. What alternative should I use for offline meeting management?

Jamie AI focuses on offline meeting management, providing transcription and AI summaries without the need for meeting bots. Learn more about Jamie AI

9. Is there a tool that enhances transcription with AI-powered summaries?

VoicePing combines real-time transcription and translation, offering high-precision AI summaries and supporting multiple languages. Discover VoicePing

10. Which tool allows for easy transcription directly in the browser?

VoicePing also allows users to upload videos directly in the browser for easy transcription without the need for software installation. Explore VoicePing

These tools offer a variety of features to cater to different transcription needs, from open-source options to those specializing in real-time meeting transcription and multilingual support.

About the Author

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.

Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).

She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.

For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.

About the Publication

Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.

Mission and Purpose

Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.

Key Features

The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:

Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials

Impact and Growth

Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:

3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
100+ startup tools built
5,000+ pieces of articles and news written

Partnerships

Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.

Recognition

Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.