# OmniForge

> OmniForge is private local AI for documents, recordings, and meetings. The desktop app runs on Windows and macOS, processes files on-device, and answers questions with citations.

OmniForge Desktop is free to download, with optional paid plans:
- [Homepage](https://omniforge.online/)
- [Pricing](https://omniforge.online/pricing)
- [Download](https://omniforge.online/download)
- [About](https://omniforge.online/about)

## Documentation

- Start Here
  - [Install OmniForge](https://omniforge.online/docs/start-here/install-omniforge): Install OmniForge Desktop and open it for the first time.
  - [Create your first workspace](https://omniforge.online/docs/start-here/create-your-first-workspace): Use workspaces to separate projects and keep answers focused.
  - [Add your first files](https://omniforge.online/docs/start-here/add-your-first-files): Add documents to OmniForge and wait for them to become searchable.
  - [Ask your first question](https://omniforge.online/docs/start-here/ask-your-first-question): Ask the Assistant a focused question and verify the cited answer.
  - [Record your first meeting](https://omniforge.online/docs/start-here/record-your-first-meeting): Record a short session, review the transcript, and add it to your knowledge base.
- Knowledge Base
  - [Add files with OmniForge Drop](https://omniforge.online/docs/knowledge-base/add-files-with-omniforge-drop): Use the drop folder to copy files into OmniForge safely.
  - [Supported file types](https://omniforge.online/docs/knowledge-base/supported-file-types): See which documents, tables, transcripts, and audio files OmniForge can ingest.
  - [Understand sync and indexing status](https://omniforge.online/docs/knowledge-base/understand-sync-and-indexing-status): Know what each file status means and when a file is searchable.
  - [Open, retry, and delete files](https://omniforge.online/docs/knowledge-base/open-retry-and-delete-files): Manage files after they have been added to OmniForge.
  - [Use workspaces to separate projects](https://omniforge.online/docs/knowledge-base/use-workspaces-to-separate-projects): Keep clients, projects, and topics separated for clearer answers.
- Assistant
  - [Ask grounded questions](https://omniforge.online/docs/assistant/ask-grounded-questions): Ask questions that OmniForge can answer from your workspace knowledge.
  - [Read citations and source links](https://omniforge.online/docs/assistant/read-citations-and-source-links): Use citations to verify answers and open the original evidence.
  - [Use conversations](https://omniforge.online/docs/assistant/use-conversations): Keep related Assistant questions together and return to earlier chats.
  - [Ask across files and transcripts](https://omniforge.online/docs/assistant/ask-across-files-and-transcripts): Use the Assistant to connect documents, meeting recordings, and notes.
  - [Improve answer quality](https://omniforge.online/docs/assistant/improve-answer-quality): Get clearer answers by improving your questions and workspace content.
- Transcription
  - [Set up microphone and system audio permissions](https://omniforge.online/docs/transcription/set-up-microphone-and-system-audio-permissions): Allow OmniForge to capture the audio needed for recordings.
  - [Record a meeting](https://omniforge.online/docs/transcription/record-a-meeting): Start, monitor, and stop a recording in OmniForge.
  - [Edit and polish transcripts](https://omniforge.online/docs/transcription/edit-and-polish-transcripts): Clean up transcript text before using it as knowledge.
  - [Add transcripts to your knowledge base](https://omniforge.online/docs/transcription/add-transcripts-to-your-knowledge-base): Index a recording summary so the Assistant can answer questions about it.
  - [Manage transcript history](https://omniforge.online/docs/transcription/manage-transcript-history): Find, filter, open, rename, and delete past transcription sessions.
- Settings, Account, and Plans
  - [Sign in and account state](https://omniforge.online/docs/settings-account-and-plans/sign-in-and-account-state): Understand when to sign in and where account state appears.
  - [Free, Starter, and one-time plans](https://omniforge.online/docs/settings-account-and-plans/free-starter-and-one-time-plans): Choose the plan that fits your file, workspace, and recording needs.
  - [Appearance, language, timezone, and date format](https://omniforge.online/docs/settings-account-and-plans/appearance-language-timezone-and-date-format): Set OmniForge display and localization preferences.
  - [Menu bar, tray, and launch at login](https://omniforge.online/docs/settings-account-and-plans/menu-bar-tray-and-launch-at-login): Keep OmniForge available in the background when you need recording reminders.
  - [Updates and release notes](https://omniforge.online/docs/settings-account-and-plans/updates-and-release-notes): Check your version and read what changed.
  - [Export support logs](https://omniforge.online/docs/settings-account-and-plans/export-support-logs): Create a diagnostic log bundle for OmniForge support.
- Privacy and Troubleshooting
  - [Where your data is stored](https://omniforge.online/docs/privacy-and-troubleshooting/where-your-data-is-stored): Understand the local folders OmniForge uses for workspace data, models, and logs.
  - [What stays local](https://omniforge.online/docs/privacy-and-troubleshooting/what-stays-local): Understand OmniForge's local-first behavior and what still may use online services.
  - [Recording and file limits](https://omniforge.online/docs/privacy-and-troubleshooting/recording-and-file-limits): Understand why a recording, workspace, or file action may be limited.
  - [Fix indexing problems](https://omniforge.online/docs/privacy-and-troubleshooting/fix-indexing-problems): Troubleshoot files that do not become searchable.
  - [Fix recording problems](https://omniforge.online/docs/privacy-and-troubleshooting/fix-recording-problems): Troubleshoot missing audio, empty transcripts, and stuck recording sessions.
  - [Fix assistant setup problems](https://omniforge.online/docs/privacy-and-troubleshooting/fix-assistant-setup-problems): Troubleshoot Assistant startup, unavailable services, and weak answers.

## Alternatives and comparisons

Honest, side-by-side comparisons against widely used document AI, transcription, and dictation tools. Each page covers where the competitor wins, where OmniForge differs, a feature matrix, and a decision aid.

- [All alternatives](https://omniforge.online/alternatives): hub page listing every comparison.
- [NotebookLM Alternative: Local Private AI for Your Files](https://omniforge.online/alternatives/notebooklm): NotebookLM alternative that does not upload your sources. OmniForge runs locally on Windows and macOS with cited answers across PDFs and meeting recordings.
- [AnythingLLM Alternative: Install-and-Go Local AI Workspace](https://omniforge.online/alternatives/anythingllm): AnythingLLM alternative for people who do not want to configure providers or self-host. Local AI for documents and meetings, working out of the box.
- [Elephas Alternative: Local AI for Mac and Windows](https://omniforge.online/alternatives/elephas): Elephas alternative with built-in meeting recording, transcription, and document Q&A on both Mac and Windows. All processing stays on your device.
- [ChatPDF Alternative: Local AI Workspace for Sensitive Files](https://omniforge.online/alternatives/chatpdf): ChatPDF alternative that keeps files on your computer instead of uploading. Build a private library of contracts, calls, and notes you can search.
- [MacWhisper Alternative: Local Transcription + Document AI](https://omniforge.online/alternatives/macwhisper): MacWhisper alternative for Windows and Mac. Local transcription, dictation, and an AI Assistant that searches your transcripts alongside your documents.
- [Otter.ai Alternative: Local Meeting Recorder, No Bot](https://omniforge.online/alternatives/otter): Otter.ai alternative that records and transcribes meetings on your own device. No bot joins the call, no audio leaves your computer.
- [Fireflies Alternative: Private Local Meeting Recorder](https://omniforge.online/alternatives/fireflies): Fireflies.ai alternative for confidential calls. OmniForge records and transcribes locally, then searches transcripts alongside your contracts and documents.
- [Superwhisper Alternative: Dictation Plus Document AI](https://omniforge.online/alternatives/superwhisper): Superwhisper alternative that adds document Q&A and a citing Assistant to local dictation and transcription. One workspace for files, recordings, and answers.
- [Wispr Flow Alternative: Local AI for Documents and Meetings](https://omniforge.online/alternatives/wispr-flow): Wispr Flow alternative that goes beyond dictation. Record meetings locally, ingest documents, and ask questions across everything with citations.
- [Granola Alternative: Local Meeting Notes Plus Document AI](https://omniforge.online/alternatives/granola): Granola alternative that keeps meeting recordings and transcripts on your device. Search calls alongside your documents with a citing AI Assistant.
- [tl;dv Alternative: Local Meeting Recorder with Document AI](https://omniforge.online/alternatives/tldv): tl;dv alternative for confidential work. OmniForge records and transcribes locally, ingests documents, and answers questions across both with citations.

## Use cases

- [OmniForge for Consultants & Advisors](https://omniforge.online/use-cases/consultants): Private client evidence desk: ask questions across documents, recordings, and notes locally.
- [OmniForge for Researchers & Journalists](https://omniforge.online/use-cases/researchers): Local AI for sources, transcripts, and notes. Nothing uploaded to the cloud.
- [OmniForge for Legal & Compliance](https://omniforge.online/use-cases/legal): Search matter folders of contracts, briefs, and call transcripts on your machine.
- [OmniForge for Privacy-First Users](https://omniforge.online/use-cases/privacy): Cited answers across files and recordings without sending data to a third party.

## Reference

- [Sitemap](https://omniforge.online/sitemap.xml)
- [Privacy](https://omniforge.online/privacy)
- [Terms of service](https://omniforge.online/terms-of-service)
- [Sub-processors](https://omniforge.online/sub-processors)
- [Cookies](https://omniforge.online/cookies)