Buzz
Open-source Whisper transcription with mic + file modes. Cross-platform Qt app.
Editorial verdict: “Best open-source Whisper desktop app. Cross-platform, free, less polish than MacWhisper.”
Compatibility at a glance
Which runtime + OS combos this app works against. Source of truth for "will it run on my setup?"
What it is
Buzz is the right choice if you need offline Whisper transcription on Linux, Windows, or macOS and want to keep your audio data local. It bridges directly to whisper.cpp, so you can run Whisper Medium Q5_0 or Large v3 Q5_0 on as little as 2 GB VRAM with reasonable real-time CPU performance. The Qt interface is functional rather than polished — expect a utilitarian layout, not a native macOS feel. Speaker diarization exists but lags behind MacWhisper’s implementation. For a free, MIT-licensed tool that handles mic, file, and batch folder modes across all three desktop OSes, Buzz is the most complete open-source option, but you trade some UI refinement for that cross-platform coverage.
✓ Strengths
- +Open-source MIT-licensed
- +Cross-platform Qt app
- +Reasonable real-time perf on CPU
△ Caveats
- −Qt UI is functional, not native-looking
- −Speaker diarization is less mature than MacWhisper
About the Voice / transcription category
Transcription, speech-to-text, or text-to-speech.
Where to go from here
Pre-filled with this app's recommended use case + budget tier. Get the full rig + runtime + model picks.
The full directory — filter by category, runtime, OS, privacy posture, or VRAM.
What this app talks to: Ollama, vLLM, llama.cpp, MLX, LM Studio. The upstream layer.
Did this app work for you on a specific rig? Submit the benchmark — it powers the model + hardware pages.