Find your next work-memory app
Compare Contextberg, Pieces, screenpipe, and Microsoft Recall: pricing, platforms, model choice, local processing, and AI integrations. Explore a Rewind alternative.
A practical guide to Rewind and Microsoft Recall alternatives
Start with what you want to do with your history: find a screen, resume an investigation, give context to an AI agent, or review how you spent your time.
This guide groups the choices by that outcome. For a workflow that brings together a free starting point, OS-focused desktop apps, local work history, and model choice, put Contextberg on your shortlist.
Four apps, compared on the same criteria
Compare pricing, supported platforms, model choice, local processing, and AI integrations.
| What to compare | Contextberg | Pieces | screenpipe | Microsoft Recall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Getting started | $0 Free plan. No card required | 7-day free trial. Card required; Pro $18.99/month, billed monthly | $0 Free plan. Recent history on one device | A Windows feature on Copilot+ PCs. Enable on an eligible device |
| OS and installation | macOS / Windows. OS-specific desktop apps | macOS / Windows / Linux. Desktop and PiecesOS | macOS / Windows / Linux. Desktop and local API | Integrated into Windows 11 on a Copilot+ PC |
| What you use history for | Resume work and hand off context. Activity, reports, and LTM | Searchable long-term memory and one-click recaps | Screen, audio, and meeting search; automated workflows | Find a previous screen and return to its content |
| Model choice | LM Studio / supported cloud routes. Bring supported credentials | Choose cloud or local models per question within Pro | Plan-based AI models, supported provider keys, and local processing | Windows' built-in local processing for search |
| Local storage and AI | History on-device. Locally configured AI steps also run on-device | Memory on-device; local model options | Raw history local by default; local-model workflows | Snapshot storage, OCR, and search on-device |
| Connections | MCP brings work context to agents | MCP brings history to supported AI tools | MCP / REST API expose history | Return to source apps from Recall results |
Getting started
- Contextberg
- $0 Free plan. No card required
- Pieces
- 7-day free trial. Card required; Pro $18.99/month, billed monthly
- screenpipe
- $0 Free plan. Recent history on one device
- Microsoft Recall
- A Windows feature on Copilot+ PCs. Enable on an eligible device
OS and installation
- Contextberg
- macOS / Windows. OS-specific desktop apps
- Pieces
- macOS / Windows / Linux. Desktop and PiecesOS
- screenpipe
- macOS / Windows / Linux. Desktop and local API
- Microsoft Recall
- Integrated into Windows 11 on a Copilot+ PC
What you use history for
- Contextberg
- Resume work and hand off context. Activity, reports, and LTM
- Pieces
- Searchable long-term memory and one-click recaps
- screenpipe
- Screen, audio, and meeting search; automated workflows
- Microsoft Recall
- Find a previous screen and return to its content
Model choice
- Contextberg
- LM Studio / supported cloud routes. Bring supported credentials
- Pieces
- Choose cloud or local models per question within Pro
- screenpipe
- Plan-based AI models, supported provider keys, and local processing
- Microsoft Recall
- Windows' built-in local processing for search
Local storage and AI
- Contextberg
- History on-device. Locally configured AI steps also run on-device
- Pieces
- Memory on-device; local model options
- screenpipe
- Raw history local by default; local-model workflows
- Microsoft Recall
- Snapshot storage, OCR, and search on-device
Connections
- Contextberg
- MCP brings work context to agents
- Pieces
- MCP brings history to supported AI tools
- screenpipe
- MCP / REST API expose history
- Microsoft Recall
- Return to source apps from Recall results
Based on official descriptions checked September 14, 2026. Usage allowances and cloud models depend on the plan and configuration. Lightweight operation is not ranked here: these apps have not been benchmarked under matching conditions.
Sources: Contextberg features and plans; Pieces plans and models and platforms; screenpipe features and plans; Recall workflow and local processing.
Four reasons to choose Contextberg
Start free. No build required.
Install the Mac app from a DMG or get the Windows app from Microsoft Store. There is no source code to compile or development environment to set up. Start on the Free plan without a credit card, choose what to record, and begin capturing your everyday work.
Start with the ready-to-install app. When you want local AI processing, configure LM Studio or another supported local endpoint. You can set up that part when you need it.
Built around your operating system
Contextberg has macOS and Windows desktop apps. Its OS-focused approach is designed for everyday background use, with lightweight operation as a design priority.
Choose how your memory is processed
Work history is stored locally. Use a local model through LM Studio for on-device AI processing, or choose a supported cloud route for the task at hand.
The distinction is concrete: locally configured AI steps process work context on the device; a cloud route sends the needed context to the provider you select. Hosted model availability and allowances depend on the plan, and external providers have their own pricing.
Put the history to work
Contextberg organizes activity into memory and makes work context available through MCP. Use it to revisit an investigation, prepare a handoff, or give your next agent session relevant background.
Try one task from start to return
- Install Contextberg on your Mac or Windows PC.
- Choose the recording scope and AI route.
- Record a short session on a real task.
- Ask what you were working on and what to check next.
- Review the supporting activity and continue the task.
Start by recording one of your everyday tasks with Contextberg.