Krisp

Krisp is a tool built for real-time noise cancellation on calls. The way it works is neat: once installed on your computer, it appears as a virtual microphone and speaker. Select Krisp as the input and output device in Zoom, Teams or any other calling app, and it filters out keyboard clatter, air conditioning, barking dogs and nearby conversations — no per-app configuration needed. Processing happens on your device, so it doesn’t add any dependence on your network.

In an open-plan office, a café or a home with children, the value is immediate: the other side hears only you. It handles noise on your end, can also clean up noisy audio coming from other participants, and removes echo.

In recent years Krisp has expanded into a “meeting assistant”, adding recording, transcription and AI-generated notes, plus accent conversion aimed at call centres. These newer features are oriented mainly toward English, though, so test transcription and summaries for Chinese meetings yourself; users in China also have plenty of local meeting-notes tools to choose from.

Key features

• AI noise cancellation: Filters keyboard, fan, traffic and other background noise in real time, keeping only the speaker’s voice.
• Background voice cancellation: Removes other people talking nearby, useful in open offices and shared spaces.
• Echo cancellation: Reduces room echo and speaker feedback for cleaner audio.
• Two-way processing: Cleans both your own microphone and noisy audio coming from the other side.
• Meeting transcription and notes: Records meetings and produces transcripts and AI summaries for later review.
• Accent conversion: For call-centre use, adjusts a speaker’s accent in real time to make them easier to understand.

How to use

1. Sign up on the Krisp website, download the desktop app and leave it running in the background.
2. Open the app, turn on noise and voice cancellation, and check that the right microphone and speakers are selected.
3. In your calling app’s audio settings, choose Krisp’s virtual devices as both microphone and speaker.
4. For meeting notes, enable recording and transcription in the app, then review the transcript and summary afterwards.

Best for

• Remote work and video meetings: make sure people can hear you clearly from home or public spaces.
• Support and sales calls: background noise distracts the other side over long calls, and cancelling it improves the experience.
• Podcasting and online teaching: noticeably reduces background noise without a proper recording space.
• English-language meeting notes: transcription and summaries are most useful in English.

Strengths and limitations

Strengths

• Works as a virtual device, so it is compatible with nearly any calling or recording app.
• Excellent noise and voice cancellation, processed locally with low latency.
• Install and go — no audio expertise required.

Limitations

• Mainly a desktop tool, and the virtual devices occasionally conflict with system sound settings or other audio software.
• Transcription and notes are English-oriented; test Chinese performance yourself.
• Tell participants and get their consent before recording or transcribing what they say.
• The free tier is restrictive; extended use and the full meeting features require payment.