Popularity
★ 53k
Last update
August 2026
License / pricing
MIT
Category
Voice & audio
What it does
Whisper rewritten in C++: transcribe on laptops and even phones, no GPU needed.
Summary based on the project's own description. The Japanese page has a fuller beginner guide: setup difficulty, what to prepare, and a step-by-step start.
Screenshots & visuals
Before you start
- Setup difficultyEasy to start
- Command lineRequired
- API keyNot required
- Sends data onlineNo
Judged automatically from the project's own metadata. Always confirm on the official page.
whisper.cpp FAQ
- Is whisper.cpp free?
- Yes. It runs on your own machine, so there is no usage-based cost either.
- Do I need to install anything or write code to use whisper.cpp?
- It needs the command line. If you are not comfortable typing commands, expect to get stuck during setup.
- Does whisper.cpp work on a phone?
- No. It needs a computer.
- Can I use whisper.cpp commercially?
- The licence is MIT, which permits commercial use. Conditions such as keeping the copyright notice still apply, so read the licence text before shipping it inside something.
How it compares
The conditions that decide whether you can actually use it, side by side.
| Tool | Command line | API key | Sends data out | Phone | Commercial use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| whisper.cpp (this page) | Required | Not needed | No | No | Yes |
| Piper | Required | Not needed | No | No | Yes |
| Whisper | Required | Not needed | No | No | Yes |
| Real-Time-Voice-Cloning | Required | Not needed | Yes | No | Not verified |
"Sends data out" means your input is uploaded to someone's server. Pick "No" when the material cannot leave your organisation.