comparison
| feature | screenpipe | rewind.ai |
|---|---|---|
| source access | source-available, auditable | no |
| data location | 100% local | local |
| platforms | macOS, Windows, Linux | macOS only |
| status | active | discontinued (pivoted to Limitless) |
| extensibility | plugins (pipes) | limited |
| self-hosted | yes | no |
| API access | full REST API | limited |
why screenpipe?
auditable source
screenpipe is source-available. audit the code, contribute, or fork it. your data, your control.cross-platform
works on macOS, Windows, and Linux. rewind was mac-only.extensible
build custom plugins (pipes) with TypeScript and Next.js. integrate with any service.active development
16k+ GitHub stars, 80+ contributors. actively maintained and improved.privacy-first
- all processing happens locally
- use local LLMs (Ollama) for complete privacy
- no telemetry or data collection
- you can audit the source code
advanced search & memory
screenpipe goes beyond simple text matching:- semantic search: find moments by meaning, not just keywords. e.g. “times when I was confused” or “design discussions with my team” works even if exact words aren’t present
- timeline DVR: scroll through your day visually like a DVR, click any moment for full-resolution screenshots and transcription
- multi-modal filtering: narrow by app, window title, URL, date range, or even screen regions
- transcript search: speaker-identified transcriptions make it easy to find who said what in meetings
why Rewind users are switching
after Rewind.ai discontinued its desktop app and pivoted to Limitless (a hardware device), many Rewind users switched to screenpipe for these reasons:- actively maintained: unlike Rewind, screenpipe has ongoing development, feature updates, and bug fixes. your investment in the tool won’t be abandoned.
- true cross-platform: Rewind was macOS-only. screenpipe works on macOS, Windows, and Linux — take your screen memory with you across any device.
- free local option: Rewind required a paid subscription. screenpipe offers a CLI and local source builds, while paid plans add packaged distribution, support, and advanced features.
- extensibility: Rewind had limited customization. screenpipe lets you build custom pipes and use the full REST API to integrate with any tool or workflow.
- local-first by default: both capture locally, but screenpipe makes it easier to opt-out of cloud AI entirely — use local Ollama for zero data egress.
migrating from rewind
if you were a Rewind user:- install screenpipe
- use the built-in timeline view for a familiar interface
- your future screen activity will be captured locally
features rewind users love
- timeline view: scroll through your day visually — same DVR-like experience as Rewind, now with cross-platform support
- natural language search: “find the email I was reading yesterday” + semantic search understands context and meaning
- meeting transcription: automatic transcription with speaker identification — easily identify who said what
- AI integration: connect to ChatGPT, Claude, or local Ollama for full privacy — deeper integration than Rewind’s assistant
- always-on capture: 24/7 recording with zero-cost local processing (no cloud dependency like Rewind had)
get started
download the desktop appmore comparisons
- vs Microsoft Recall — privacy-focused alternative
- vs Limitless — hardware vs software
- vs Granola — meeting notepad vs full screen memory
- vs Otter.ai — cloud transcription vs local capture
- vs Fathom — meeting bot vs 24/7 capture
- vs Fireflies.ai — cloud meeting bot vs local-first
resources
- Rewind alternative guide - complete migration guide
- screenpipe blog - latest updates and tutorials