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BORIS

boris.unito.it

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Spec score 8.4 #9 of 34 in Video Annotation Software

What it is

BORIS is free and open-source software for coding video and audio and recording live observations. Media tools include frame-by-frame navigation, playback speeds from 0.1× to 100×, and synchronized playback of up to eight files. Users can define unlimited behaviors, subjects, modifiers, and independent variables, with behaviors recorded as state or point events. Analysis options include Cohen’s Kappa inter-rater reliability, transition matrices, flow diagrams, time-budget analysis, and graphical views of coded data. Coded events can be exported in formats including TSV, CSV, HTML, ODS, XLSX, SQL, Pandas and R dataframes, SDIS, Praat TextGrid, and JWatcher formats. BORIS also imports JWatcher Global Definition Files and Noldus The Observer XT templates. Live event logging is available in the desktop program and Android app. The Android app is version 0.13 and marked beta for testing only. Data is stored in JSON; download files are GPG-signed, with a public key available for integrity checks. The project warns that backward compatibility of project files is not guaranteed and recommends regular backups.

Spec sheet

Purpose
BORIS is event-logging software for video and audio coding and live observations.Read 29 Sep 2026 · boris.unito.it
Audience
The site describes BORIS as software for video/audio coding and live observations and asks users to cite it when disseminating results in publications.Read 29 Sep 2026 · boris.unito.it
Platforms
The download page lists GNU/Linux, Windows, macOS, Raspberry Pi 4, Chromebook, VirtualBox, Docker, and Linux Python Package Index installation options.Read 29 Sep 2026 · boris.unito.it
Support
The site provides a user guide, video tutorials and workshops, an FAQ, a user forum, and channels for bug reports and feature requests.Read 29 Sep 2026 · boris.unito.it
Headquarters
Torino, ItalyRead 28 Sep 2026 · boris.unito.it
Analysis
Features include Cohen’s Kappa inter-rater reliability, transition matrices, flow diagrams, time-budget analysis, and graphical representation of coded data.Read 29 Sep 2026 · boris.unito.it
Android app
The Android app is designed for live observations, and its current version is 0.13, marked as beta for testing only.Read 29 Sep 2026 · boris.unito.it
Coding structure
Users can define unlimited behaviors, subjects, modifiers, and independent variables; behaviors can be state events or point events.Read 29 Sep 2026 · boris.unito.it
Data handling
BORIS uses JSON, described as an open format for storing data to support further analysis.Read 29 Sep 2026 · boris.unito.it
Exports
Coded events can be exported as TSV, CSV, HTML, ODS, XLSX, XLS, Pandas and R dataframes, SQL, SDIS, Praat TextGrid, behavioral strings, and JWatcher formats.Read 29 Sep 2026 · boris.unito.it
Interoperability
BORIS supports importing JWatcher Global Definition Files and Noldus The Observer XT OTX/OTB templates.Read 29 Sep 2026 · boris.unito.it
Limitations
The project warns that backward compatibility of BORIS project files is not guaranteed and recommends regularly backing up project files.Read 29 Sep 2026 · boris.unito.it
Live observations
Live event logging is available in the desktop program and in the Android app.Read 29 Sep 2026 · boris.unito.it
Security and integrity
The download page says all files are signed with GPG and provides a PGP public key for integrity verification.Read 29 Sep 2026 · boris.unito.it
Video and audio coding
It supports playback speeds from 0.1× to 100×, synchronous playback of up to eight media files, and frame-by-frame navigation.Read 29 Sep 2026 · boris.unito.it

Plans and prices

BORIS Free Free and open-source software · distributed under GNU GPL v.3 Read 29 Sep 2026 · boris.unito.it

Every BORIS plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free and open-source under GNU GPL v.3
  • Synchronizes playback of up to eight media files
  • Defines unlimited behaviors and subjects
  • Exports to many data and analysis formats

Limits

  • Android app is marked beta for testing only
  • Backward compatibility of project files is not guaranteed
  • Project files should be backed up regularly

Who it suits

BORIS suits people coding video or audio and recording live observations who need flexible event definitions and analysis or export options. The Android app is intended for live observations but is marked beta for testing only.

Verdict

BORIS offers extensive coding, analysis, and export functions at no cost. Take account of the Android beta status and the warning that project-file compatibility across versions is not guaranteed.

Where Specifiction places it

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