Screenpipe vs Microsoft Recall
Microsoft Recall is a Windows-exclusive AI memory feature built into Windows 11. Here’s how screenpipe compares:Key Differences
Platform Support
screenpipe:- ✅ macOS (Apple Silicon & Intel)
- ✅ Windows 10/11
- ✅ Linux
- Cross-platform data sync available
- ❌ Windows 11 only (Copilot+ PCs)
- No macOS or Linux support
- Limited device compatibility
Open Source vs Proprietary
screenpipe:- 100% open source (MIT license)
- Fully auditable code
- Community-driven
- Transparent security
- Closed source
- No code transparency
- Microsoft-controlled
Audio Transcription
screenpipe:- ✅ Full audio transcription
- System audio + microphone
- Local Whisper or cloud options
- Speaker identification
- Works with any audio source
- ❌ No audio transcription
- Screen capture only
- No meeting transcription
Developer Access
screenpipe:- Full REST API on localhost
- JavaScript/TypeScript SDK
- MCP server for AI assistants
- Plugin system (Pipes)
- Raw SQL access
- Build custom integrations
- No public API
- No SDK
- No plugin system
- Limited integration options
AI Model Choice
screenpipe:- Use any AI model
- Local AI via Ollama
- OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini
- Custom models
- No vendor lock-in
- Microsoft AI only
- No model choice
- Tied to Windows ecosystem
Data Control
screenpipe:- 100% local storage
- Optional encrypted sync
- Export/delete anytime
- You own your data
- No Microsoft account required
- Local storage (on Windows)
- Tied to Windows account
- Limited export options
- Part of Windows ecosystem
Both store data locally, but screenpipe gives you complete control with export, API access, and no account requirement. Microsoft Recall is integrated into Windows and requires a Microsoft account.
Feature Comparison Table
| Feature | screenpipe | Microsoft Recall |
|---|---|---|
| Open source | ✅ MIT license | ❌ |
| Platforms | macOS, Windows, Linux | Windows 11 only |
| Data storage | 100% local | Local (Windows) |
| Multi-monitor | ✅ All monitors | ✅ |
| Audio transcription | ✅ Local Whisper | ❌ |
| Developer API | ✅ Full REST API + SDK | ❌ |
| Plugin system | ✅ Pipes (AI agents) | ❌ |
| AI model choice | Any (local or cloud) | Microsoft AI |
| Team deployment | ✅ Central config, AI permissions | ❌ |
| Pricing | One-time purchase | Bundled with Windows |
Multi-Monitor Support
Both screenpipe and Microsoft Recall support multiple monitors, capturing content from all connected displays simultaneously.Privacy Considerations
screenpipe:
- Open source - fully auditable
- No telemetry by default
- Local-first architecture
- Optional cloud features
- Community security review
Microsoft Recall:
- Closed source
- Part of Windows telemetry system
- Microsoft-controlled updates
- Integrated with Microsoft services
Pricing
screenpipe:- Lifetime: $400 one-time purchase
- All features, all platforms
- No recurring costs
- Bundled with Windows 11 Copilot+ PCs
- Requires compatible hardware
- Part of Windows license
When to Choose screenpipe
- You use macOS or Linux
- You need audio transcription
- You want full API access for integrations
- Privacy and open source are priorities
- You need multi-platform support
- You want to build custom automations
- You need team deployment features
- You want local AI options
When to Consider Microsoft Recall
- You exclusively use Windows 11 Copilot+ PC
- You want built-in Windows integration
- You don’t need audio transcription
- You don’t need API access or customization
- You prefer zero-setup built-in features
Ready to try screenpipe? Download for Windows or explore the docs.