Turn screen recordings into polished tutorials and demos instantly with AI-driven auto-zoom, cursor tracking, and background removal for Windows and Mac.
Screenpipe
Capture every screen and audio detail on your computer with this open-source AI memory tool that enables local OCR, transcription, and natural language search.
Free plan available
$400/one-time
About Screenpipe
Screenpipe is an open-source application designed to serve as a 24/7 personal memory for your desktop. It continuously records screen activity and audio input/output, processing the data through local Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and speech-to-text transcription. By creating a searchable database of everything a user has seen, said, or heard on their device, it allows for seamless information retrieval through a natural language interface. This local-first approach ensures that sensitive data remains on the user's hardware rather than being processed in the cloud. The tool operates by capturing frames from all connected monitors and utilizing native APIs like CoreGraphics on macOS or DXGI on Windows. It extracts text from any application, browser, or document, while simultaneously transcribing audio from system outputs and microphones using OpenAI’s Whisper model. A notable feature is its Model Context Protocol (MCP) server support, which allows popular AI assistants like Claude Desktop or Cursor to query the user's screen history directly. Additionally, the "Pipes" plugin system enables developers to extend functionality, such as syncing data to Obsidian or Notion and generating automated meeting notes. Screenpipe is particularly beneficial for software developers who need to provide context to AI coding assistants, as well as professionals who manage high volumes of virtual meetings and require automated transcription across various platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams. It also serves individuals with ADHD or knowledge workers who benefit from a visual timeline to retrace their steps throughout a workday. Its versatility makes it a strong choice for those who prioritize data sovereignty and require a persistent, searchable archive of their digital activities. What sets Screenpipe apart from alternatives like Microsoft Recall or Limitless is its open-source nature and broad platform compatibility, including macOS, Windows, and Linux. Unlike many competitors that only record the active window, Screenpipe captures multiple monitors simultaneously and includes full audio support. Because it supports local AI models via Ollama, users can perform complex AI searches without their data ever leaving their machine. This transparency and flexibility, combined with a one-time purchase model rather than a recurring subscription for core features, makes it a unique offering in the AI productivity space.
Screenpipe pros & cons
Pros
- Stores 100% of captured data locally by default to ensure maximum privacy.
- Supports multiple monitors simultaneously, unlike competitors that only track active windows.
- Open-source codebase allows for complete transparency and custom development via a REST API.
- Integrates with AI coding assistants like Cursor and Claude via the Model Context Protocol.
- One-time purchase model avoids the need for recurring monthly subscriptions for core functionality.
Cons
- High hardware demands, requiring up to 4GB of RAM and significant monthly storage (30GB).
- Advanced features like high-accuracy cloud transcription require an additional monthly subscription.
- Linux support requires building from source rather than a native installer.
- Mobile support is currently unavailable for iOS or Android devices.
Screenpipe use cases
- Software developers can provide full desktop context to AI coding assistants like Cursor for more accurate code suggestions.
- Remote professionals can automatically transcribe meetings across any platform and generate action items with the AI assistant plugin.
- Knowledge workers can maintain a persistent, searchable archive of every article or email they've read for better information recall.
- Individuals with ADHD can use the visual timeline to visually retrace their daily activities and recover lost work context.
- Researchers can extract and index text from varied sources like PDFs, videos, and presentations via automated local OCR.
Screenpipe features
- optical character recognition (ocr)
- multi-monitor support
- model context protocol (mcp) server
- visual timeline view
- extensible plugin system (pipes)
- natural language ai search
- local audio transcription
- 24/7 screen recording
Screenpipe pricing
Is Screenpipe free? Yes, Screenpipe has a free plan, and paid plans start at $400 / one-time.
Open Source CLI
Free
- Core engine access
- MIT license
- CLI functionality
- Self-build required
Lifetime License
$400 / one-time
- Pre-built desktop app
- Automatic updates
- AI-powered search & memory
- Scheduled AI agents (pipes)
- Priority discord support
- 1 month Screenpipe Pro free
- Lifetime access
Lifetime + 1 Year Pro
$600 / one-time
- Everything in Lifetime
- 12 months Screenpipe Pro
- Cloud transcription (10x accuracy)
- Claude Opus 4.6 access
- Encrypted cross-device sync
- Cloud storage
- Priority discord support
Screenpipe FAQs
How much storage space does Screenpipe require?
It typically uses between 5 and 30 GB of disk space per month depending on your activity levels. Users can configure retention periods to automatically delete older data and manage storage.
Does the tool work with multiple monitors?
Yes, it captures all connected monitors simultaneously using platform-native APIs. This provides a more comprehensive memory compared to tools that only record the active window.
Is my data sent to any external servers?
By default, everything is stored in a local SQLite database on your device. Data only leaves your machine if you explicitly choose to use cloud AI models or enable the encrypted sync feature.
Can I use local AI models for search?
Yes, Screenpipe supports integration with Ollama, allowing you to run fully local AI models for searching your history without an internet connection.
What platforms are supported?
Screenpipe offers native installers for macOS (Intel and Silicon) and Windows 10/11. Linux is also supported, though it currently requires building the application from source.
Ratings & reviews
8/22/2024
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