the verdict
screenmemory is a simple mac-only screen recording tool with ocr search. however, it's completely closed-source, so you have no way to verify what's happening with your data. it lacks audio recording, has no api, no ai chat, no llm integrations, and only works on mac with infrequent updates. screenpipe is fully open-source with 50+ updates per week, works on mac, windows, and linux, captures both screen and audio, includes ai chat with claude/openai/ollama integrations, and gives developers full api access. they're different products - one is a basic screenshot folder, the other is an ai-native memory platform.
why screenpipe wins
closed-source screenshot tool vs open-source ai memory platform
at a glance
closed source = blind trust
screenmemory claims your data stays local, but with closed-source software, you have no way to verify this. screenpipe is fully open-source under mit license - every line of code is auditable. when a tool records everything on your screen, including passwords, banking info, and private conversations, transparency isn't optional. you shouldn't have to blindly trust marketing claims.
no audio, half the context
screenmemory only captures your screen. it completely misses audio - no meeting transcriptions, no voice notes, no capturing what was actually said in calls. screenpipe records both screen and audio with speech-to-text, giving you complete context of your digital life. memory isn't just what you see, it's what you hear too.
developer hostile
screenmemory offers zero api access. your data is locked in their format with no way to build on top of it. screenpipe exposes a full rest api - query your data programmatically, build custom integrations, create automations, or pipe your context into any ai. power users and developers deserve better than a locked-down black box.
platform lock-in
screenmemory only works on mac. if you use windows at work, linux for development, or ever switch platforms, your memory tool is useless. screenpipe runs everywhere - mac, windows, and linux. your workflow shouldn't be limited by your operating system choice.
active development vs stagnant
screenpipe ships 50+ updates per week with an active open-source community constantly improving the product. screenmemory has infrequent updates and a single developer. when you're trusting software with your most sensitive data, you want a project that's actively maintained and improving, not one that might be abandoned.
ai-native vs dumb storage
screenpipe includes built-in ai chat to query your captured data, integrations with claude, openai, and local llms through ollama. ask questions about what you did last week, get summaries, find that thing you saw. screenmemory is just storage with search - no ai features, no chat, no intelligence. in 2025, a memory tool without ai integration is just a fancy screenshot folder.
screenmemory: pros & cons
where screenmemory is strong
- simple, focused interface
- one-time payment model
- local data storage
- timeline view for browsing history
- app blacklisting for privacy
limitations
- closed-source - no code transparency
- mac-only (no windows or linux)
- no audio recording or transcription
- no api access for developers
- no plugin or extension system
- no way to verify privacy claims
- limited to screen capture only
- slow/infrequent updates
- no ai chat or assistant features
- no llm integrations
ready for true data ownership?
join thousands who chose open-source, local-first ai memory. your data stays yours.