> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.screenpipe.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# screenpipe vs Otter.ai: local screen memory vs meeting bot

> Compare screenpipe and Otter.ai: local 24/7 screen and audio capture vs cloud meeting transcription with a 6000 minute monthly cap and a visible bot.

screenpipe captures your entire screen and audio 24/7, locally, with no caps. Otter.ai is a cloud-based meeting transcription tool that sends a visible bot to your calls and limits you to 6000 minutes per month.

## comparison

| feature              | screenpipe                                            | otter.ai                    |
| -------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------- |
| **scope**            | 24/7 screen + audio                                   | meeting audio only          |
| **screen capture**   | all monitors, all apps                                | none                        |
| **audio limits**     | unlimited                                             | 6000 min/mo cap             |
| **data storage**     | 100% local                                            | cloud (Otter's servers)     |
| **source access**    | source-available, auditable                           | no                          |
| **meeting presence** | invisible (captures on your device)                   | visible bot joins your call |
| **AI model**         | any (Claude, GPT, Ollama, local)                      | Otter's built-in AI only    |
| **price**            | see [current pricing](https://screenpi.pe/onboarding) | per-user subscription       |

## why screenpipe?

### no bot, no awkward moments

Otter sends a bot that visibly joins your meeting — everyone sees "Otter.ai" pop up. screenpipe captures audio and screen content on your device without joining the call. no notification to other participants.

### unlimited capture, no caps

Otter limits you to 6000 minutes per month. screenpipe runs 24/7 with no time limits — meetings, research, browsing, coding — everything captured automatically.

### screen content, not just audio

when someone shares a spreadsheet and says "look at the Q3 numbers," screenpipe captures both the words and the actual numbers on screen. Otter only gets the audio.

### local-first, auditable

all data stays on your device. source-available with 17k+ GitHub stars. 45+ app integrations and 16+ pipes in the store. full REST API and MCP server for custom workflows.

## get started

[download the desktop app](https://screenpi.pe)

***

## more comparisons

* [screenpipe vs Otter.ai (full comparison)](https://screenpi.pe/blog/screenpipe-vs-otter-ai-2026) - in-depth analysis
* [screenpipe vs Fireflies](https://screenpi.pe/blog/screenpipe-vs-fireflies-2026) - another cloud meeting bot comparison
* [screenpipe vs Granola](https://screenpi.pe/blog/screenpipe-vs-granola-2026) - meeting notepad comparison
* [all comparisons](https://screenpi.pe/compare) - see how screenpipe stacks up

## frequently asked questions

### is screenpipe better than Otter.ai?

screenpipe and Otter.ai solve different problems. Otter is a polished meeting transcription tool with speaker identification and mobile apps. screenpipe captures your entire workday — meetings plus everything else — locally and privately. if you need more than meeting transcription, or if privacy and local storage matter, screenpipe is the better choice.

### does screenpipe send a bot to my meetings?

no. screenpipe captures audio and screen content directly on your device. no bot joins the call, no notification appears for other participants. this is a key difference from Otter.ai, which joins meetings as a visible participant.

### how does screenpipe compare to Otter.ai on price?

Otter is a per-user meeting-transcription subscription. screenpipe pricing changes by plan and use case, so use the [current pricing page](https://screenpi.pe/onboarding) as the source of truth. the practical comparison is that screenpipe covers screen, audio, meetings, local storage, pipes, and API access, while Otter focuses on meeting transcription.