Char

Char is a local-first AI notepad for notes, transcripts, and tasks, with optional cloud sync, managed AI, and integrations for desktop follow-up work.

AI Productivity Tools AI Recording & Summarizer AI Notes Assistant

Visit Website

What Char is

Char is an AI notepad designed to help you capture, organize, and act on what you write down. Its homepage positions it as a tool that knows you, thinks with you, and works for you, while the terms describe it as an AI notepad that can capture notes, transcripts, recordings, and attachments.

The product is local-first by default: your notes live on your device unless you enable cloud features such as managed AI, sync, integrations, billing, or account services. When those cloud features are active, Char can help with meeting transcripts, task suggestions, delegation, and moving open items forward from one day to the next.

Core capabilities

Local-first note storage

Char stores notes, transcripts, and related content on your device by default, with cloud features turned on only when you need managed AI, sync, integrations, billing, or account services.

Meeting recording and transcription

The product can capture meeting audio from your device and, when enabled, use a meeting bot in video conferences to produce transcripts.

Task surfacing from context

Char can surface tasks from screen and application context on the device, such as recognizing that time was spent on a document and turning that into a suggested task.

Third-party integrations

The app can connect to external services like Google Calendar, Slack, GitHub, and Linear through optional integrations.

Suggestion triage

Char presents suggestions that you can swipe through or move through with arrows before accepting them, which fits a review-and-choose workflow.

Task follow-through

The homepage and terms describe Charlie/Char as helping with action items, delegation, and rollovers such as carrying open tasks into today.

Common ways to use Char

Daily planning
Use Char to turn notes, transcripts, and meeting output into a morning brief, so you can review asks and action items before opening your other tabs.
Meeting follow-up
Capture meeting audio and transcripts, then follow up on rolled-over tasks or specific requests that came up during the conversation.
Context-driven task capture
Let Char surface context-based suggestions from your writing and application activity, then accept or dismiss them as you work.
Integrated workflow
Connect supported third-party services when you want Char to exchange selected data with calendars, messaging tools, or project trackers.
Local-first note taking
Use the app when you want a local-first notepad that keeps raw note content on your device unless you explicitly enable cloud features.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Local-first storage keeps notes on the device by default.
Optional cloud features let users add managed AI, sync, integrations, billing, and account services only when needed.
The product supports meeting audio capture, transcripts, and task-oriented follow-ups from notes and conversations.
It connects with external services and can exchange selected data with connected apps.
The terms state that Char does not train its own AI models on customer content, and its providers are contractually prohibited from doing so.

Cons

The pricing page is unavailable in the collected source, so the public plan structure and limits are not visible here.
Several capabilities depend on optional cloud features and a Char account, so the experience is not fully offline if you want managed AI, sync, or integrations.
Recording and transcription require the user to handle consent obligations under the relevant laws.

FAQ

What is Char?

Char is a desktop app that can store notes locally by default, with optional cloud features for managed AI, sync, integrations, billing, and account services. The product and terms also describe recording audio from your device and, optionally, using a meeting bot for video conferences.

What platform does Char run on?

The terms say Char is available as an application and that cloud features require an internet connection and a Char account. The privacy policy describes Char as a desktop application.

Can Char connect to other apps?

Yes, Char can connect to third-party services such as calendar and email providers, integration brokers, and meeting platforms. The privacy policy specifically names Google Calendar, Slack, GitHub, and Linear as examples of third-party services a user may connect.

Does Char use my content to train AI models?

Char says you retain rights to the notes, transcripts, recordings, attachments, and other content you create, upload, or store in the product. The terms also state that Char does not use your content to train its own AI models, and its AI providers are contractually prohibited from using your prompts, transcripts, or notes to train theirs.

Is pricing available from the source?

The terms say some features require a paid subscription, but the pricing page is not available and no plan details are published in the collected source. The terms say prices, billing cycles, and inclusions are shown before subscribing.