Buzz review
A free, open-source desktop transcription tool with local models and automation.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Buzz is a free, open-source desktop application for transcribing and translating audio locally on a personal computer. It supports audio and video files, YouTube links, and live microphone transcription, making it suitable for individuals who want a desktop workflow across Windows, macOS, or Linux. Its support for speaker identification, timestamps, and subtitle exports also fits interviews, recordings, and captioning tasks.
Its standout strength is flexibility around speech-recognition engines. Buzz supports Whisper, Whisper.cpp, Faster Whisper, and Hugging Face model families, while speech separation can be performed before transcription. Users can export TXT, SRT, or VTT files, retain word-level timings, and use live microphone transcription. The optional OpenAI API integration adds remote speech recognition alongside the local workflow. Watch folders and the command-line interface extend the product beyond one-off transcription by supporting automatic processing and scripting.
Buzz is most compelling for users who value open-source software, local processing, model choice, and automation without a paid plan. The trade-off is a focused desktop experience: exports are limited to TXT, SRT, and VTT, and remote recognition depends on the OpenAI API integration. Users seeking a browser-centered workspace, a broader connected application ecosystem, or a different export range may prefer an alternative. For desktop transcription, speaker-aware output, subtitle generation, and repeatable workflows, Buzz offers a capable feature set across the three major desktop operating systems.
Buzz pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Supports Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Offers speaker identification, word-level timings, and subtitle exports
- Adds watch folders and CLI scripting for automated workflows
- Where it doesn't
- Export formats are limited to TXT, SRT, and VTT
- The workflow is centered on desktop computers rather than web access
- Remote speech recognition depends on the optional OpenAI API integration
Buzz fact sheet, pricing and score →
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