compare

screenpipe vs littlebird

open-source local-first vs closed-source cloud-connected

the verdict

littlebird is a polished mac-only ai assistant that learns from your screen context to provide intelligent suggestions. however, it's closed-source and connects to cloud services. screenpipe is fully open-source, works on mac, windows, and linux, and keeps all your data 100% local by default. developer-friendly with full api access, yet simple enough for anyone to use. if you value transparency, cross-platform support, and complete data ownership, screenpipe is the clear choice.

why screenpipe wins

mac-only cloud assistant vs cross-platform local-first

screenpipe
works everywhere
macOS
Windows
Linux
one codebase, all platforms
littlebird
mac only
macOS
Windows
Linux
switch OS = lose your data
screenpipe
100% local
your data never leaves
littlebird
where does data go?
?
can't verify littlebird's privacy claims
screenpipe
developer friendly
# query your data
curl localhost:3030/search \
-d '{"q": "meeting notes"}'
{ results: [...] }
Claude integration
AI chat built-in
littlebird
no API access
no programmatic access
integrations
AI features

at a glance

feature
screenpipe
littlebird
open source
platform support
mac, windows, linux
mac only
data storage
100% local
local + cloud
screen recording
audio recording
meetings only
api access
custom plugins
local ai support
ollama, any local llm
cloud ai only
easy to use

open source matters

screenpipe is fully open-source under mit license. you can inspect every line of code, contribute improvements, or fork it for your own needs. with a tool that captures your entire digital life, transparency isn't optional - it's essential. littlebird is closed-source, meaning you have to trust their claims about privacy without verification.

true local-first

screenpipe stores everything locally in a sqlite database and mp4 files. you can use fully local ai models through ollama, meaning your data never leaves your machine. littlebird captures context locally but sends data to cloud services for ai processing. if you're serious about privacy, there's no comparison.

cross-platform freedom

screenpipe runs on mac, windows, and linux. your workflow shouldn't be limited by your operating system. littlebird is mac-only with no timeline for windows or linux support. if you switch platforms or use multiple os, screenpipe has you covered.

developer & user friendly

screenpipe exposes a full api for querying your captured data - perfect for developers who want to build custom automations. but it's also designed to be simple for non-technical users with an intuitive interface. create 'pipes' - plugins that extend functionality - or just use it out of the box. littlebird offers no api access or extensibility options.

littlebird: pros & cons

where littlebird is strong

  • polished mac-native experience
  • intelligent task suggestions
  • meeting transcription and summaries
  • auto-generated daily journals
  • iphone companion app

limitations

  • mac-only (no windows or linux)
  • closed-source code
  • cloud-connected for ai features
  • no access to raw data or apis
  • cannot self-host or customize

ready for true data ownership?

join thousands who chose open-source, local-first ai memory. your data stays yours.