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Top 10 AI Tools for Productivity in 2026: Ranked by What Actually Saves You Time
Jun 28, 2026 · 17 min read
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Screenpipe
Local screen and audio recording that gives AI tools searchable context
Free · from $21/mo screenpi.pe
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screenpi.pe
Pricing
Free · from $21/mo
API
Yes
Open source
Yes
Platforms
macOSWindowsLinuxAPI
What is Screenpipe?
Screenpipe records what appears on your screen and what you hear, keeps that history on your own device, and lets AI tools search it for context. It captures accessibility data, screen frames with OCR as a fallback, and audio transcripts. You can then go back through your day, draft summaries and follow-ups, or run automations.
Developers can reach the data through a local database, a REST API and an MCP server, and connect their own agents and models. Privacy controls let you exclude apps, windows or URLs and redact sensitive fields on the device. Raw history stays local by default. The code is source-available on GitHub.
Screenpipe runs on macOS, Windows and Linux. It suits people who want to recall past work, developers building context-aware agents, and teams that need SSO, device management and audit logs through the Enterprise plan.
Key features
- Screen capture via accessibility data with OCR fallback
- Audio and meeting transcription
- Search and recall through past screen history
- Local database, REST API and MCP server
- Exclude apps, windows or URLs from capture
- On-device redaction of sensitive fields
- Workflow discovery across apps
- Integrations with Slack, Notion and GitHub
Use cases
Who it's for
Knowledge workersDevelopers building AI agentsPrivacy-conscious usersEnterprise IT teams
Recall past work
Search back through your day to find a document, message or meeting moment you saw earlier.
Context for AI agents
Connect your own agents or models through MCP or the REST API so they can use your screen history.
Meeting follow-ups
Use captured audio transcripts to draft summaries and follow-up notes.
Team deployment
Roll it out across a company with SSO, MDM, retention policies and audit logs on the Enterprise plan.
Screenpipe pricing
From the vendor's site, checked Oct 26, 2026; we re-check prices monthly. Prices change — confirm on their pricing page.
Free
forever
$0
- One device
- Local screen, audio and meeting capture
- Search recent work
- Share selected context with AI tools
Basic
month
$21/mo or $250/yr billed annually
- Full searchable history across apps, meetings and audio
- Reusable context for AI tools via MCP
- Unlimited scheduled workflows
Business
month
$42/seat/mo or $500/seat/yr billed annually
- Sync context across devices
- Recurring workflows
- Centralized billing and managed seats
- Capacity tiers: 1x, Max 2x, Ultra 4x
Enterprise
custom
Custom
- SSO, MDM, retention and device controls
- Shared team context
- Automatic workflow discovery
- Cloud API access and dedicated support
What the free plan gets you
- Start on one device
- Limited searchable work history (recent work)
- Limited scheduled workflows
- Community support
| Cost for a team, per month | 1 person | 5 people | 20 people |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basicflat | $20.83 | $20.83 | $20.83 |
| Businessper seat | $41.67 | $208.35 | $833.40 |
Billed yearly where the plan offers it. — means the plan doesn't allow that many people.
Which plan do you need?
- Otter.aiPro$8.33/mo
- Fireflies.aiPro$10/mo
- Littlebird AIPlus$17/mo
- ScreenpipeBasic$20.83/mo
The cheapest paid plan with a published price that fits. Custom and sales-quoted plans aren't included.
How Screenpipe compares
- At $21/mo, Screenpipe has the highest entry price of the 4 tools here with published prices (median $13.50).
- Screenpipe has a free plan, like 3 of the 4 alternatives below.
- It offers an API, which only 2 of the others do.
- It is open source, the only one here.
| Tool | Starts at | Free plan | Free trial | API | Open source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SScreenpipe | $21/mo | — | ||||
L Littlebird AI | $17/mo | — | — | Screenpipe vs Littlebird AI | ||
M Microsoft Recall | — | — | — | — | — | Screenpipe vs Microsoft Recall |
F Fireflies.ai | $10/mo | — | — | Screenpipe vs Fireflies.ai | ||
O Otter.ai | $8.33/mo | — | Screenpipe vs Otter.ai |
Compare 8 capabilities
| Capability | Screenpipe | Littlebird AI | Microsoft Recall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calendar integration | — | ||
| Email integration | — | ||
| Meeting notes | |||
| Screen memory | |||
| Scheduled routines | — | ||
| MCP support | — | ||
| Local data storage | |||
| App/privacy exclusions |
Capabilities as stated on each vendor's own site; — means the site doesn't say. The closest alternatives in our directory by category. “Starts at” is the cheapest paid plan per month, as each vendor lists it.
Screenpipe data and privacy
Trains AI on your content
No
“does not use it to train AI or machine learning models”
Data retention
Local data stays until you delete it; server-side data deleted within 30 days of disconnect
“screen recordings, audio transcriptions, and other locally stored data remain on your device until you delete them.”
Where data is stored
Local on device by default; cloud AI on US/EU infrastructure
“Raw history stays local by default.”
Security and compliance
SOC 2 Type IIISO 27001GDPRHIPAA
From Screenpipe's own privacy and security pages , checked Oct 28, 2026. We only show what the vendor states in writing; “not stated” means the pages don't say.
Who's behind Screenpipe
- Company
- Negentropy Labs, Inc.
- Based in
- United States
- Founded
- 2024
- Founders
- Louis Beaumont
“Screenpipe was founded by Louis Beaumont, who created the project in 2024 and is its sole founder.”
“Screenpipe was founded by Louis Beaumont, who created the project in 2024 and is its sole founder.”
From Screenpipe's own about, terms and privacy pages, checked Oct 28, 2026.
Screenpipe release activity
6Sep
2Oct
Nov
8 changelog entries since Sep 2026, latest Oct 6, 2026. Changelog
Pros and cons
Strengths
- Free plan for one device with local capture
- Raw history stays local by default
- Source-available code on GitHub
- Runs on macOS, Windows and Linux
Limitations
- Free plan limited to one device
- Shared team context only on Enterprise
- No mobile apps listed
Screenpipe FAQ
How much does Screenpipe cost?
There is a free plan. Basic costs $21/month or $250/year, Business costs $42/seat/month or $500/seat/year, and Enterprise is priced on request.
Where is my data stored?
Raw history stays on your device by default, and you can exclude apps, windows or URLs and redact sensitive fields on the device.
Which platforms are supported?
macOS, Windows and Linux.
Does it have an API?
Yes. It provides a local database, a REST API and an MCP server. Cloud API access is part of Enterprise.
Are there discounts?
Annual billing gives 2 months free, and students, researchers and faculty get 50% off the first month.
User reviews
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Screenpipe
Free · from $21/mo
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