AI memory tools, compared
This category moves faster than any other here, and two of its best-known names have already changed hands or shut down. The dividing question is what you want the memory for: searching what you saw, or acting on what you did. Tools built for the first are usually poor at the second.
AI Memory: side-by-side
Tools to archive your digital life and make it available for later use by eg AIs.
| Tool | Input data | Platform support | Data location | API |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Remote work's missing piece Best for: Calendar-like timeline of your work. | Screen, audio, apps | macOS, Windows, Linux | Cloud | Yes |
Discontinued. Rebranded to Limitless, acquired by Meta, and shut down on 19 December 2025. Best for: Nothing now — existing users need a replacement. | Discontinued Dec 2025 | Apps withdrawn | Was local | -No |
AI memory tool that reads your active apps and meetings for later recall. Best for: Standalone replacement of your AI Chat app. | Screen, meetings, connected tools | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android | Cloud (AWS) | -No |
Codex feature that builds memory from recent screen context. Best for: Codex users on macOS who want screen-aware memory while they work. | Screen frames for Codex context | macOS, Codex app | Temporary local, ephemeral cloud processing | Via Codex |
Windows feature that takes screen snapshots for recall. Best for: Windows users wanting built-in screen memory. | Encrypted local snapshots | Windows 11 Copilot+ only | Local, encrypted | -No |
Developer tool for saving code snippets, context, and AI assistance. Best for: Developers who want to save and reuse code snippets with AI help. | Cross-app capture, code and context | Desktop | On-device | Yes — unlimited MCP |
Coordination AI for teams. Waitlist only as of August 2026 — no general availability. Best for: Meeting transcripts and screen highlights with integrations. | Screen, meetings | Windows, macOS | Cloud | -No |
Open-source assistant that can reference on‑device files and webpages. Best for: Mac users wanting local AI memory over personal data. | Your files, folders, websites | macOS, Apple Silicon | Local | Optional OpenAI-compatible providers |
Windows-native screen activity recorder for searchable recall. Best for: Finding past screen content and meeting conversations. | OCR screen text, meetings, audio | Windows | Local, encrypted | -No |
Open-source macOS app that auto-generates a timeline. Best for: Local-first timeline and summaries on macOS. | Screenshots, local AI analysis | macOS 14+ | Local | No, but open source |
Open-source macOS app with timeline view and local AI-powered search. Best for: Finding past screen content with text and NLP search on macOS. | Periodic snapshots, indexed text | macOS 13+ | Local, optional encryption at rest | No, but open source |
Use personal notes for memory; searchable but relies on discipline. Best for: Small knowledge bases with deliberate curation. | Manual records | -N/A | -N/A | -N/A |
No persistent memory. Live in the moment. Best for: Privacy-focused people with no need for digital memory. | -N/A | -N/A | -N/A | -N/A |
Records screen text and audio into a local, searchable history, with an MCP server and local API for AI tools. Best for: Local, searchable screen and audio history that you and your AI tools can query. | Screen text, audio | macOS, Windows, Linux | Local by default; cloud features optional | Local API, MCP |
No rankings and no paid placements. Tools are grouped below by what each one is for. Claims about other products come from their public materials. Last verified .
Local-first screen recall
Everything stays on your machine. Strongest privacy position in the category, and several are free.
DoneThat vs Screenpipe
Records screen text and audio into a local, searchable history, with an MCP server and local API for AI tools.
Best for: Local, searchable screen and audio history that you and your AI tools can query.
DoneThat vs TimeScroll
Open-source macOS app with timeline view and local AI-powered search.
Best for: Finding past screen content with text and NLP search on macOS.
DoneThat vs Dayflow
Open-source macOS app that auto-generates a timeline.
Best for: Local-first timeline and summaries on macOS.
DoneThat vs Perfect Memory
Windows-native screen activity recorder for searchable recall.
Best for: Finding past screen content and meeting conversations.
DoneThat vs Microsoft Recall
Windows feature that takes screen snapshots for recall.
Best for: Windows users wanting built-in screen memory.
Assistant memory
The record exists to give an AI assistant context. Useful if you keep re-explaining your work to a chatbot that helped you last week.
DoneThat vs Pieces
Developer tool for saving code snippets, context, and AI assistance.
Best for: Developers who want to save and reuse code snippets with AI help.
DoneThat vs Littlebird
AI memory tool that reads your active apps and meetings for later recall.
Best for: Standalone replacement of your AI Chat app.
DoneThat vs Sidekick
Open-source assistant that can reference on‑device files and webpages.
Best for: Mac users wanting local AI memory over personal data.
DoneThat vs OpenAI Chronicle
Codex feature that builds memory from recent screen context.
Best for: Codex users on macOS who want screen-aware memory while they work.
Discontinued
Worth reading before you find an old review and assume the product still exists.
DoneThat vs Rewind
Discontinued. Rebranded to Limitless, acquired by Meta, and shut down on 19 December 2025.
Best for: Nothing now — existing users need a replacement.
Notes, or nothing
Written notes record what you decided; no memory at all records nothing and cannot leak. Both are coherent choices.
DoneThat vs Keep notes
Use personal notes for memory; searchable but relies on discipline.
Best for: Small knowledge bases with deliberate curation.
DoneThat vs No AI memory
No persistent memory. Live in the moment.
Best for: Privacy-focused people with no need for digital memory.
Looking at a different problem? See every category we track.
Think DoneThat might fit?
Fully automated AI time tracking and coaching. 14-day free trial.