Riffado provides a self-hosted, open-source AI transcription solution for voice recorder users, primarily targeting Plaud Note devices. It empowers users to maintain control over their recordings and transcripts by allowing them to integrate their preferred OpenAI-compatible AI transcription services or utilize free in-browser transcription, offering a privacy-focused alternative to vendor-locked solutions.

How It Works

The system syncs recordings from the Plaud cloud service and processes them using user-selected AI providers via an OpenAI-compatible API endpoint, or locally using Transformers.js (Whisper in WebAssembly) for a free, browser-based option. Transcripts and associated data are stored on user-controlled infrastructure, supporting local filesystems or S3-compatible object storage. Sensitive data like API keys and tokens are encrypted at rest using AES-256-GCM.

Quick Start & Requirements

• Primary Install: A one-liner script for Linux/macOS: curl -fsSL https://riffado.com/install.sh | sh. Manual Docker Compose setup is also available.
• Prerequisites: Docker, a Plaud account (plaude.ai), and optionally an OpenAI-compatible API key.
• Links:
  • Documentation: https://riffado.com/docs
  • Discord: https://riffado.com/discord
  • Full Install Guide: riffado.com/docs/self-hosting/install
• Setup: Described as "Zero-config Docker Compose deploy," suggesting a rapid setup process.

Highlighted Details

• Self-Hosted Control: Full ownership of recordings, storage, and API keys.
• Flexible AI Integration: Supports numerous OpenAI-compatible APIs (Groq, Ollama, Azure, etc.) and free browser-based transcription.
• Robust Storage: Options include local filesystem or S3-compatible services (R2, MinIO, B2, etc.).
• Data Security: AES-256-GCM encryption for sensitive credentials and transcripts at rest.
• Comprehensive Export: Supports JSON, TXT, SRT, VTT formats, plus full backup/restore.
• Automation API: Features signed webhooks for integration purposes.

Maintenance & Community

The project was rebranded from OpenPlaud to Riffado in May 2026 and is actively maintained by the Riffado community. Community support is available via Discord. Contribution guidelines and branching strategies are detailed in separate repository files.

Licensing & Compatibility

• License: AGPL-3.0.
• Compatibility: As an AGPL-3.0 project, any modifications distributed as a network service must also be made available under the AGPL-3.0 license. Commercial use is possible but requires adherence to the open-source obligations.

Limitations & Caveats

• Device Support: Currently limited to the Plaud Note family (Note, Note Pro, NotePin), with broader device support planned.
• Plaud Account Login: Users authenticating Plaud accounts via Google or Apple may require the Riffado Connector browser extension or manual token input due to Plaud's identity handling.
• Disclaimer: Riffado is an independent project and not affiliated with Plaud Inc. Users are responsible for complying with third-party terms of service.