QualBuddy

From interview audio to analysis-ready qualitative data, without uploading your interviews.

QualBuddy helps researchers transcribe, organise, pseudonymise, code and export qualitative interview materials locally on their own device.

Join the beta See how it works

Local-first. Researcher-led. Built for careful qualitative work.

  • Local-first by design
  • No cloud upload of interview data
  • Researcher-led analysis
  • Pseudonymisation support
interview-03 — Transcript editor
Transcript
Codebook
Quote bank
Exports
INT

Can you tell me a little about what that experience was like for you?

P01

It was strange at first, honestly. When I moved to [City A] I didn't know anyone, and [Brother] was the only person I could call…

P01

…I kept a diary in those first weeks. Writing it down made it feel more manageable.

Coping through writing
INT

And how did that change over time?

Speaker-labelled editing with inline pseudonyms and codes.
Privacy

Your research data stays with you.

QualBuddy is designed so your research materials stay on your own device. Your interview audio, transcripts, pseudonym maps, analysis notes, codebook, quote bank and exports are stored locally unless you choose to move or share them. Setup may download software components or model files, but QualBuddy does not upload your interview data for processing.

  • No cloud upload of interview data

    Interview audio, transcripts and pseudonym maps are processed on your device, not on a server.

  • Local project storage

    Projects are ordinary files on your machine, in a location you choose and can inspect.

  • Local pseudonym maps

    The link between real details and pseudonyms never leaves your device unless you export it.

  • Researcher-controlled exports

    You decide what leaves the app, in what form, and where it goes.

QualBuddy supports pseudonymisation, but it does not guarantee full anonymisation. Researchers remain responsible for checking outputs and meeting their own ethics, governance and data protection requirements.

The problem

Qualitative work scattered across too many tools.

A single interview study often ends up spread across a transcription tool, Word documents, spreadsheets, pseudonymisation notes, a codebook file and analysis tables. Hours go into moving material between them — and into keeping identifying details out of the wrong copy.

QualBuddy brings that workflow into one local workspace, so the careful work of preparing and organising your data takes less time and fewer files.

  • Transcription tool
  • Word documents
  • Spreadsheets
  • Pseudonymisation notes
  • Codebook files
  • Analysis tables
How it works

One workflow, from recording to write-up.

  1. 1

    Create project

    Set up a study workspace with its own local storage.

  2. 2

    Import audio or transcript

    Bring in interview recordings or existing transcripts.

  3. 3

    Transcribe and edit

    Local transcription with a speaker-labelled editor.

  4. 4

    Pseudonymise sensitive details

    Replace names, places and identifying details, tracked in a local pseudonym map.

  5. 5

    Code and memo extracts

    Apply codes, write memos and build your codebook as you read.

  6. 6

    Build quote bank

    Collect key extracts with source and line references.

  7. 7

    Export

    IPA tables, reflexive TA, framework analysis matrices or an Obsidian vault.

Features

Built for careful qualitative work.

  • Local-first transcription

    Transcribe interview audio on your own machine. Setup may download model files, but your recordings are processed locally.

  • Speaker-labelled transcript editor

    Edit transcripts turn by turn, with speaker labels, timestamps and line numbers ready for analysis.

  • Pseudonymisation support

    Replace identifying details consistently across a project, with a pseudonym map you control and review.

  • IPA, TA and framework exports

    Export IPA-style transcript tables, reflexive thematic analysis documents and framework matrices.

  • Codebook and quote bank

    Keep a structured codebook and a quote bank of key extracts, linked back to their source transcripts.

  • Obsidian-style analysis workspace

    Export your project as a linked vault of notes, codes and quotes for further writing and analysis.

  • No cloud upload of interview data

    Interview audio, transcripts and pseudonym maps are not uploaded for processing.

  • Local project storage

    Each project lives in ordinary files on your device, in a location you choose and can inspect.

  • Local pseudonym maps

    The mapping between real details and pseudonyms stays on your device, separate from your exports.

  • Researcher-controlled exports

    Nothing leaves the app unless you export it. You decide what is shared, when, and with whom.

  • Project backup and deletion controls

    Back up a whole project to a location you choose, and delete projects cleanly when your retention period ends.

Who it's for

Made for people doing careful qualitative research.

  • DClinPsy trainees
  • Counselling psychology trainees
  • PhD researchers
  • MSc dissertation students
  • Qualitative researchers
  • Clinical and service evaluation teams
  • Supervisors and methods lecturers
Private beta

Join the private beta

We are inviting a small number of Mac users to test QualBuddy with demo data or non-sensitive research materials first.

There's no sign-up backend yet — the form below opens a pre-filled email in your own mail app. Or simply email hello@qualbuddy.com to request access.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is QualBuddy doing my analysis for me?

No. It supports transcription, organisation, pseudonymisation, coding, memoing and export. Interpretation remains researcher-led.

Does my interview audio get uploaded?

No. QualBuddy is designed for local processing. Setup may download software components or transcription model files, but your interview audio, transcripts, notes and pseudonym maps stay on your device unless you choose to move or share them.

Is my data guaranteed anonymous?

No. QualBuddy supports pseudonymisation and helps you manage identifying details, but it cannot guarantee full anonymisation. Researchers remain responsible for checking outputs and meeting their own ethics, governance and data protection requirements.

Can I use it with sensitive research data?

QualBuddy is designed with sensitive qualitative research in mind, but you should only use it where it fits your ethics approval, data management plan, university/NHS governance and local policies.

Is this a replacement for NVivo?

Not currently. It is a lighter local-first workspace for preparing, organising and exporting qualitative materials.

Can I use it for IPA?

Yes, it includes IPA-friendly transcript tables, exploratory notes, PETs, GETs and quote-bank workflows.

Is it available for Windows?

The first beta is Mac-focused. Windows can follow later.