Yansu vs Screenpipe
Both observe your desktop activity. The difference: Screenpipe automates existing tasks. Yansu builds entirely new applications you didn't know you needed.
Last updated: March 2026. Yansu is made by Isoform. This comparison is based on publicly available information.
| Feature | Yansu | Screenpipe |
|---|---|---|
| Core function | Observe + build applications | Observe + automate existing tasks |
| Builds complete apps | Yes -- full-stack React + TypeScript | No -- automation scripts only |
| Proactive opportunity identification | Yes -- identifies needs autonomously | No -- reacts to screen content |
| Messaging integrations | 7 platforms (Slack, Teams, Discord, etc.) | None |
| Input channels | Screen + audio + 7 messaging platforms | Screen + audio only |
| Privacy / local-first | Yes -- SOC 2 Type II + ISO 27001 | Yes -- local SQLite, optional encryption |
| Open source | No | Yes (MIT license) |
| Automation scripts / pipes | No | 50+ pre-built pipes |
| Data sources | 65+ sites via OpenCLI + Computer Use API | Screen + audio capture only |
| Non-technical users | Yes -- no configuration needed | Partial -- pipes require TypeScript/React |
| Compliance | SOC 2 Type II + ISO 27001 | No formal certification |
| Pricing model | Free tier + subscription ($20/mo Pro) | Free OSS / $400 one-time lifetime |
What is Screenpipe?
Screenpipe is an open-source (MIT) desktop platform that continuously records your screen and audio, makes the captured data searchable, and enables background automation agents called "pipes" to act on what it observes. It runs locally on macOS, Windows, and Linux, storing everything in a local SQLite database with optional ChaCha20-Poly1305 encryption. Screenpipe uses event-driven capture for efficiency and exposes a REST API at localhost:3030 for custom integrations. The platform ships with over 50 pre-built pipes covering common workflows like CRM updates, meeting notes, and expense tracking. Custom pipes are written in TypeScript and React with cron scheduling. Screenpipe also integrates with Claude Desktop, Cursor, and VS Code through an MCP server. The core product is free to build from source; a lifetime desktop license costs $400, with a $600 option that adds one year of cloud AI and cloud transcription. There are no recurring subscription fees for the core feature set.
What is Yansu?
Yansu is a proactive AI application builder by Isoform that observes how you work, learns your patterns, and autonomously builds custom applications before you ask. Unlike tools that require prompting, Yansu runs in the background as a native desktop application on macOS, Windows, and Linux, continuously monitoring your desktop activity and messaging conversations across seven platforms including Slack, Microsoft Teams, Discord, Telegram, WhatsApp, Feishu, and WeChat. When Yansu identifies an opportunity to save time or reduce friction, it generates a complete working application called a "crystal" -- a React and TypeScript project with optional backend, real data integrations from over 65 sources via OpenCLI, and native desktop window deployment. Yansu automatically selects the best AI model for each task from Claude, GPT, Gemini, and others. All data stays on your device with SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 certification. The free Basic tier includes limited daily chats and core features.
Key Differences
Automation vs App Building
The core distinction between Screenpipe and Yansu is what each tool produces. Screenpipe pipes are automation scripts: they react to what appears on your screen and perform predefined actions, such as logging a meeting to a CRM, generating a summary note, or categorizing an expense. These are useful for streamlining repetitive steps in existing workflows. Yansu produces complete applications: full-stack React and TypeScript projects with their own UI, data integrations, and deployment. When Yansu observes a pattern -- a team repeatedly reconciling data across Jira, Notion, and Sheets in Slack conversations -- it doesn't create a script to update a field. It builds a new application that unifies those sources into a custom dashboard. Screenpipe helps you do existing tasks faster. Yansu creates new tools to address problems you haven't yet written a prompt for.
Messaging Integrations
Screenpipe's observation layer is limited to screen recordings and audio captured on your local machine. It cannot read or react to content arriving through messaging platforms unless that content is currently visible on screen. Yansu integrates directly with seven messaging platforms as dedicated input channels: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Discord, Telegram, WhatsApp, Feishu, and WeChat. This means Yansu observes not just what is on screen at any given moment, but the full context of team conversations, ongoing discussions, and decisions happening across your communication stack. A recurring question in a Slack channel, a pattern in Teams meeting notes, or a workflow bottleneck discussed in Discord can each trigger Yansu to build a purpose-built tool. For teams whose work is primarily organized through messaging, this difference in input coverage is significant.
Open Source vs Managed
Screenpipe is fully open source under the MIT license, meaning you can inspect the code, self-host, modify it, and build on top of it without restriction. This appeals to developers who want complete control and transparency over the software running on their machine. Writing custom pipes requires TypeScript and React knowledge. Yansu is a managed product with no public source code. It is designed for users who want the outcome -- useful custom software -- without engaging with the underlying implementation. Yansu handles model selection, application generation, deployment, and memory management automatically. The trade-off is straightforward: Screenpipe offers maximum transparency and extensibility at the cost of requiring technical ability; Yansu offers autonomous results without requiring any technical knowledge.
Pricing Comparison
Pricing as of March 2026. Check each product's website for current pricing.
| Plan | Yansu | Screenpipe |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 -- Basic tier with limited daily chats | $0 -- full Screenpipe, build from source (OSS) |
| Lifetime License | -- | $400 one-time -- desktop app, local recording, search, basic pipes |
| Lifetime + Pro | -- | $600 one-time -- adds 1 year cloud AI, cloud sync, cloud transcription |
| Pro / Individual | $20/mo -- managed AI agent, cloud execution | -- |
| Business / Max | $200/mo -- 5x Pro usage | -- |
| Enterprise | Custom -- shared team memory, SSO/SAML | Custom -- central config, shared pipes, team management |
When to Use Each
Use Screenpipe if you...
- Want to automate specific repetitive tasks on your desktop
- Prefer open-source software you can inspect and modify
- Want a one-time payment with no recurring fees
- Are comfortable writing TypeScript to build custom pipes
- Need MCP integration with Claude Desktop, Cursor, or VS Code
Use Yansu if you...
- Want complete applications built proactively, not automation scripts
- Work across Slack, Teams, Discord, or other messaging platforms
- Need apps that pull from 65+ real-world data sources
- Are non-technical and don't want to write code or prompts
- Need SOC 2 Type II + ISO 27001 compliance
- Want Yansu to identify workflow gaps you haven't thought to address