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Screenpipe vs Limitless

Limitless is the new name for Rewind.ai. This comparison covers the current Limitless product.

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Overview

Limitless focuses on meeting transcription and AI memory, while screenpipe provides comprehensive screen and audio capture with full developer access.

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Core Philosophy

screenpipe:
  • Open source and transparent
  • Local-first, privacy-focused
  • Developer-friendly with full API
  • Cross-platform from day one
Limitless:
  • Proprietary, closed source
  • Cloud-dependent
  • Consumer-focused experience
  • Limited platform support

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Key Differences

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Screen Capture Approach

screenpipe:
  • Multi-monitor: Captures all connected monitors
  • Event-driven: Only captures when something changes
  • Storage efficient: ~5-10 GB per month
  • Full context: Entire screen estate captured
Limitless:
  • Single window: Active window only
  • Continuous: Always recording
  • Higher storage: More disk space needed
  • Limited context: Misses background activity
Limitless only captures the active window, meaning you’ll miss important context from background applications, second monitors, and reference materials.

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Audio & Meeting Features

screenpipe:
  • System audio (what you hear)
  • Microphone input (what you say)
  • Local Whisper transcription
  • Works with any app (Zoom, Meet, Teams, Slack)
  • Speaker identification
  • Offline capable
Limitless:
  • Meeting transcription focus
  • Cloud-based processing
  • Integrated calendar features
  • Meeting summaries
  • Requires internet connection

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Privacy & Data Control

AspectscreenpipeLimitless
Source code✅ Open (MIT)❌ Closed
Data storage100% localCloud required
AI processingLocal or cloud (your choice)Cloud only
Account requiredNoYes
Data exportFull export via APILimited
Self-hostingPossibleNot available
With screenpipe, you can run everything locally including AI processing via Ollama - no internet required, no data leaves your device.

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Developer & Integration Features

screenpipe:
  • ✅ Full REST API
  • ✅ JavaScript/TypeScript SDK
  • ✅ MCP server (Claude, Cursor, Cline)
  • ✅ Plugin system (Pipes - AI agents)
  • ✅ Raw SQL access
  • ✅ Webhook support
  • ✅ Open integration ecosystem
Limitless:
  • ❌ Limited API (closed beta)
  • ❌ No SDK
  • ❌ No plugin system
  • ❌ Proprietary integrations only
Example screenpipe API usage: 
import { pipe } from "@screenpipe/js";

const results = await pipe.queryScreenpipe({
  q: "project deadline",
  contentType: "all",
  limit: 20,
  startTime: new Date(Date.now() - 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000).toISOString(),
});

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Platform Support

screenpipe:
  • ✅ macOS (Apple Silicon)
  • ✅ macOS (Intel)
  • ✅ Windows 10/11
  • ✅ Linux
Limitless:
  • ✅ macOS
  • ✅ Windows
  • ❌ Linux

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AI Model Flexibility

screenpipe:
  • Use any AI model
  • Local AI via Ollama (Llama, Mistral, etc.)
  • Cloud AI (OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini)
  • Custom fine-tuned models
  • Switch models anytime
Limitless:
  • Proprietary AI models
  • No model choice
  • Vendor lock-in

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Team & Enterprise Features

screenpipe Teams:
  • Central config management
  • Shared AI pipes (workflows)
  • Per-pipe data permissions (YAML-based)
  • Employees’ data stays on their devices
  • MDM deployment (Intune, SCCM)
  • Admin dashboard
  • Privacy boundaries
Limitless:
  • Limited team features
  • Data centralized in cloud
  • No granular permissions
With screenpipe Teams, admins control what gets captured and what AI can access, but the actual data never leaves employee devices - providing both control and privacy.

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Feature Comparison Table

FeaturescreenpipeLimitless
Architecture
Open source✅ MIT❌ Closed
Local-first✅❌
Capture
Multi-monitor✅ All❌ Active only
Event-driven✅❌
Audio transcription✅ Local✅ Cloud
Offline mode✅❌
Developer
Full API✅Limited
SDK✅❌
MCP server✅❌
Plugins✅ Pipes❌
Raw data access✅ SQL❌
AI
Model choice✅ Any❌ Proprietary
Local AI✅ Ollama❌
Platform
macOS✅✅
Windows✅✅
Linux✅❌
Teams
Central config✅❌
Data permissions✅ Per-pipe❌
On-device storage✅❌
Pricing
One-time option✅ $400❌
SubscriptionOptional $39/moRequired

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Pricing Comparison

screenpipe:
  • Lifetime: $400 one-time - all features forever
  • Pro (optional): $39/month - cloud sync, priority support
  • Teams: Custom pricing
  • No lock-in, no recurring costs required
Limitless:
  • Monthly subscription required (pricing varies)
  • No one-time purchase option
  • Ongoing costs mandatory for access

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Use Cases

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Choose screenpipe if you:

  • Need multi-monitor support
  • Want full control over your data
  • Require API access for integrations
  • Build custom automations
  • Prefer local AI processing
  • Want open source transparency
  • Need team deployment with granular permissions
  • Prefer one-time purchase over subscription
  • Use Linux

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Consider Limitless if you:

  • Only need active window capture
  • Prefer fully managed cloud solution
  • Don’t need developer features
  • Want zero-setup experience
  • Focus primarily on meeting transcription
  • Comfortable with subscription model
  • Don’t need multi-monitor support

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Migration from Limitless

If you’re considering switching from Limitless to screenpipe:
  1. Export your data from Limitless (if available)
  2. Install screenpipe from screenpi.pe/onboarding
  3. Configure capture settings for your monitors and audio
  4. Set up AI integrations using your preferred model (Ollama, OpenAI, etc.)
  5. Explore Pipes to replicate any workflows you had
Join our Discord community for migration support and tips from users who’ve made the switch.
Ready to try screenpipe? Download the app · View documentation · Join Discord

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