We compared three tools that record what happens on your computer and let you search it or ask questions about it afterwards. All three keep the recordings on your own computer.
docs.google.com/…/outreach-q4 right after the call.The app quietly captures your screen, and your microphone and system audio if you allow it, while you work.
It reads the text on screen and transcribes speech, then saves everything to a local database you can search.
Type a question in plain English. A local AI model finds the right moment and answers.
Records all day and answers questions with a local AI model
Recording sessions with answers that link back to the exact moment
Built into Windows 11 on Copilot+ PCs
| Feature | Screenpipe | LUCI | Microsoft Recall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uploads the recording? | NoLocal by default | NoOn-device, encrypted | NoLocal snapshots |
| Ask questions in plain English | YesChat through a local model (Ollama) | YesAnswers cite the exact moment | NoSearch plus Click to Do |
| What it records | Screen and audio, all day | Screen and audio, in sessions | Screen snapshots, all day |
| Platforms | Mac, Windows 10/11, Linux | Mac, Windows | Windows 11, Copilot+ PCs only |
| Minimum hardware | 4 GB+ RAM recommendedPlus about 4 GB free for the local AI model | Not published | 16 GB RAM, 40 TOPS NPU, 256 GB SSD |
| Disk space | About 30 GB a month | Not published | 50 GB free to turn it on |
| Works with Claude / agents | YesREST API + MCP server | YesMCP Agent Bridge | No |
| Source code | Source-available | Closed | Closed |
| Price | Free $0 (1 device, limited history)Basic $21/mo · Business $42/seat/mo · see pricing | Free (4-hour sessions) | Free |
| Best for | A team pilot | Short sessions where you want answers with citations | People who already own a Copilot+ PC |
ollama run llama3.2Your data is saved in ~/.screenpipe/ on your computer. Passwords and card numbers are redacted on-device before they're stored.
These details come from LUCI's own website, and it lists fewer technical details than the other two. Verify them in a quick trial.
Recall pauses on its own when free disk space drops below 25 GB. To pause it yourself, click the tray icon and choose Pause until tomorrow.
These are common questions from decision-makers before rolling out a tool like this. Each answer links to its source.
What will it cost?
Screenpipe: Free $0 (one device, limited history), Basic $21/mo ($250/yr), Business $42 per seat/mo ($500/seat/yr), Enterprise custom. LUCI: free. Recall: free with Windows 11. Ollama is free.
Is there any hidden or per-use cost?
No cost per question or per video, because the AI model runs on your own computer. The real costs are disk space and, on older laptops, possibly more RAM.
Which plan do we need for a team?
Start the pilot on the Free or Basic plan. Business ($42/seat) adds managed seats, central billing and priority support. Enterprise adds SSO, MDM, retention and device controls.
Does any data leave our computers?
No, by default. Screenpipe says data leaves the machine only if you turn on a cloud feature, such as a cloud AI provider or team sync. LUCI says it processes everything on-device with no cloud copy. Recall snapshots stay local.
What about passwords or card numbers shown on screen?
All three hide sensitive data automatically. Screenpipe redacts passwords and card numbers on-device before saving, LUCI redacts cards, keys and passwords, and Recall filters them by default. You can also exclude whole apps and websites.
Who can see the recordings?
Only the person on that computer. Screenpipe stores data in ~/.screenpipe/, LUCI encrypts it at rest, and Recall needs a Windows Hello sign-in to open.
Is it legal to record people? Do we need consent?
You need a written policy and consent from anyone being recorded. The rules depend on your country and company, so check with HR or legal before rolling it out. Not legal advice
Is LUCI certified?
LUCI says it is SOC 2 Type 2 certified and GDPR compliant. Ask them for the report before signing up.
Will it slow down our laptops?
Screenpipe recommends a quad-core CPU, 4 GB+ RAM and an SSD. The local AI model needs about 2 GB of RAM plus 2 GB overhead. Recall needs a Copilot+ PC with 16 GB RAM. The pilot will show the real impact.
How much disk space does it use?
Screenpipe uses about 30 GB a month at the default 1 frame per second. Recall needs 50 GB free to turn on and pauses when free space drops below 25 GB. Plan when to delete old data.
Does it work on Mac and Windows?
Screenpipe runs on Mac, Windows 10/11 and Linux. LUCI runs on Mac and Windows. Recall runs only on Windows 11 Copilot+ PCs.
How long does setup take?
Roughly 15–30 minutes per computer: install the app, grant permissions, install Ollama and download a model. Estimate
Can IT deploy it centrally?
Screenpipe Enterprise supports MDM, SSO and audit logs. For Recall, IT admins can control it through Windows policies.
What can we actually ask it?
Things like "what link was shared in the 10am call", "summarize my day" or "find the error I saw last week". Screenpipe and LUCI answer in plain language. Recall only searches.
How accurate are the answers?
Nobody publishes accuracy figures. Accuracy depends on the AI model you pick: small local models are faster, larger ones are better. The pilot should score 5–10 real questions.
Can it connect to our other tools?
Screenpipe has a REST API and an MCP server, so AI agents like Claude can query it. It can also sync notes to Notion or Obsidian. LUCI connects to Claude, Cursor, Codex and others through MCP. Recall has no API.
Why not use Loom, ScreenApp or Gemini?
They all upload the video to the cloud. Loom's AI also stops at summaries and chapters.
What if the vendor shuts down, like Rewind did?
Rewind stopped screen capture in December 2025 after Meta bought it. Screenpipe's code is public and its data sits in normal local files, so the lock-in risk is lower. LUCI is closed source.
What are the main risks?
Staff privacy concerns, disk usage, and answers that may be wrong or incomplete. Reduce them with a consent policy, app exclusions, a data-retention rule and a small pilot first.
What do you need from me?
Approval for a 2-week pilot on one computer, using the free plan. After that, you get accuracy results, performance notes and a go / no-go recommendation.
It's the only option that records all day, answers questions in plain English, runs on all our machines, and keeps everything offline. It's free to start ($21/mo for full history), and Claude can connect to it later for automation.
LUCI is the backup if Screenpipe's answers aren't good enough. Recall only makes sense if we already own Copilot+ PCs.