OpenAI Whisper (open source)

Whisper is OpenAI's open-source speech recognition model, which transcribes and translates speech. Its code and model weights are released under the MIT License.

OpenAIUpdated monthly · checked 25 h ago

OpenAI Whisper (open source) is an AI and ML perk from OpenAI, offering free open-source model (MIT), with no funding required.

Value: Free
Who qualifies: No funding needed
Benefit type: Free plan
Terms: Verified

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While you apply

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What you get

Inside OpenAI Whisper (open source)

Whisper is a general-purpose speech recognition model that handles multilingual speech recognition and speech translation. Its code and model weights are released under the MIT License, so you can run it on your own computer. It requires ffmpeg to be installed.

Source: The provider's official program page

Eligibility

Who it's for

Free plan Any startup

Funding / backing: No funding needed
Geography: Global
Recurring / expiry: Free with no time limit.
Other requirements: You install Python and ffmpeg yourself and run the model on your own hardware.

How to claim

How to apply for OpenAI Whisper (open source)

Steps to apply

1Install from the GitHub repository.
2No application is needed.

Good to know: Repository and license read on github.com/openai/whisper on October 28, 2026.

Apply at OpenAI

Source: The provider's official program page

Value is the headline maximum OpenAI advertises. What your company actually receives depends on your eligibility and how you use the program, and terms can change. A comparison, not endorsed by the programs listed. A link labeled as a referral link may earn us a commission, and a program labeled Same owner comes from the company that runs StartupPerks. Confirm current terms on the provider's page.

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Other ways to get a deal on OpenAI

Ramp gives its customers a deal on OpenAI. It is separate from OpenAI Whisper (open source), with its own conditions, and partners usually allow one startup deal per company, so compare who qualifies before you apply.

Ramp Partner RewardsStartups can receive OpenAI API credits to explore the possibilities of building on top of the OpenAI platform.For Ramp customersCompare all 103 Ramp Partner Rewards On Ramp: the OpenAI perk

Read from each platform's own perks page on or after October 28, 2026.

Questions

OpenAI Whisper (open source): common questions

What do you get with OpenAI Whisper (open source)?

OpenAI Whisper (open source) offers free open-source model (MIT).

Who qualifies for OpenAI Whisper (open source)?

OpenAI Whisper (open source) is open to any startup, with no funding required. You install Python and ffmpeg yourself and run the model on your own hardware.

Do I need to be VC-backed or in an accelerator to get OpenAI Whisper (open source)?

No. OpenAI Whisper (open source) is open to any startup that meets the stated criteria, no investor or accelerator backing required.

How do I apply for OpenAI Whisper (open source)?

Install from the GitHub repository. No application is needed.

How long do I have to use OpenAI Whisper (open source), and does it expire?

Free with no time limit.

Is OpenAI Whisper (open source) available outside the US?

OpenAI Whisper (open source) is available globally, subject to the provider's terms.

Complete guideOpenAI API Credits for Startups: Every Route in 2026Every real way to get OpenAI API credits in 2026: OpenAI for Startups through a partner VC, Brex's $1,000, Ramp's reward, OpenRouter's $3,000, the $1,000 Researcher Access Program, and the Azure and AWS startup credits that pay for OpenAI models. Every figure cited to its owner.Free transcription software, comparedWhisper's free plan next to every other free transcription appWhat each transcription app gives you free today, its main limit and what the first paid plan costs, read from each provider's own page.