Research can contain conversations, client documents and findings you would rather not store in a cloud workspace. You should have a choice about where that work lives. That’s why we built Research Studio Desktop, a local-first alternative to Research Studio Cloud for macOS and Windows.
A workspace on your own computer
Desktop stores your projects locally on your computer, with encrypted storage and an optional app PIN. If cloud project storage has kept you from trying Research Studio, this version gives you another way to work. Research Studio Cloud remains available in your browser; Desktop is a separate product, not a replacement for your Cloud account.
Local storage is not the same as fully offline AI
We want to be clear about what local-first means here. Your projects are stored locally, but processing depends on your configuration. Desktop lets you choose your AI provider. When you use an external provider, the content needed for that request is sent to that service. Provider usage may incur separate charges. Desktop should not be treated as fully offline in every configuration.
Before working with sensitive material, review your provider’s data handling terms and your organisation’s requirements. Local project storage is a useful choice, but it is not a blanket guarantee that no data leaves your computer. Keep backups of important research, too.
From interviews to findings
Bring documents and recordings into one workspace. Transcribe audio and video, return to the source with clickable timestamps, and use AI-assisted widgets to explore insights, statements, sentiment, personas and jobs to be done. Review generated findings against your evidence rather than treating them as final answers.
Project overviews help you explore themes across reports. When you’re ready to share what you learned, export reports and project overviews as PDF, PowerPoint or Markdown.
An early version, with room to grow
Research Studio Desktop is in alpha. Expect bugs and evolving features, and review generated findings before relying on them. The current Desktop alpha offer is $49.99 USD and includes 18 months of updates. AI provider usage is separate, and the Desktop offer is not included in a Cloud subscription.
Try the local-first alternative
Visit Research Studio Desktop to explore the workspace and request the macOS or Windows alpha. Installers are currently available by request; purchase and activation happen in the app. We’d love to hear what works for you and what you need next.
