Stubble vs OpenAI Chronicle: Screen Context for AI, Compared
OpenAI Chronicle and Stubble both capture screen context for AI. Here's how they compare on features, pricing, availability, and integration.
OpenAI just shipped Chronicle — a screen capture feature that gives Codex memory about what you’re working on. It’s exactly the problem we’ve been solving with Stubble.
Here’s how the two approaches compare.
What Chronicle Does
Chronicle is an opt-in feature for Codex (OpenAI’s coding agent) that captures your screen every few seconds to build “memories” about your work. These memories give Codex context about what you’ve been doing, so you don’t have to re-explain everything each conversation.
It’s currently available as a research preview for ChatGPT Pro subscribers on macOS.
What Stubble Does
Stubble captures your screen, runs OCR locally, and uses AI to organize your activity into tasks and projects. It exposes this context via MCP so any compatible AI tool (Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, ChatGPT) can query your work history.
It’s available now for all Mac users, with a free trial and $10/month Pro tier.
Key Differences
1. Pricing and Availability
Chronicle: Requires ChatGPT Pro at $200/month. Not available in EU, UK, or Switzerland.
Stubble: $10/month (5-day free trial). Available globally.
This is the most obvious difference. Chronicle is bundled into OpenAI’s most expensive tier. Stubble is standalone and 20x cheaper.
2. AI Tool Integration
Chronicle: Only works with Codex/ChatGPT.
Stubble: Works with any MCP-compatible tool — Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, and more. You’re not locked into one AI provider.
If you use Claude Code (or want the flexibility to switch), Stubble is the only option. Chronicle only benefits OpenAI’s own tools.
3. Time Tracking Features
Chronicle: No time tracking. It’s purely a memory/context feature for Codex.
Stubble: Full automatic time tracking with project organization, timesheet export, and natural language queries.
Chronicle tells your AI what you’ve been doing. Stubble tells your AI what you’ve been doing AND gives you structured time data you can export, bill, or analyze.
4. Architecture
Chronicle: Screenshots are uploaded to OpenAI servers for processing, then deleted after 6 hours.
Stubble: Screenshots stay on your Mac. OCR runs locally. Only sanitized text summaries go to AI.
Different approaches with different trade-offs. Chronicle leverages OpenAI’s cloud infrastructure. Stubble keeps raw images on-device.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Stubble | Chronicle |
|---|---|---|
| Screen capture | Yes | Yes |
| AI context/memory | Yes | Yes |
| Time tracking | Yes | No |
| Project organization | Yes | No |
| Timesheet export | Yes | No |
| Natural language queries | Yes | Via Codex |
| Works with Claude Code | Yes | No |
| Works with Cursor | Yes | No |
| Works with ChatGPT/Codex | Via MCP | Native |
| Available in EU/UK | Yes | No |
| Price | $10/month | $200/month (Pro) |
When to Use Which
Choose Chronicle if:
- You’re already paying for ChatGPT Pro ($200/month)
- You only use Codex for AI coding assistance
- You don’t need time tracking or project organization
- You’re not in the EU, UK, or Switzerland
Choose Stubble if:
- You want AI context for Claude Code, Cursor, or multiple tools
- You need automatic time tracking and project organization
- You want to generate timesheets or query your work history
- You’re in a region where Chronicle isn’t available
- You want to pay $10/month instead of $200/month
The Bigger Picture
Chronicle validates the entire category. OpenAI shipping screen capture for AI context proves this is a real need, not a niche experiment.
But Chronicle is designed to lock you into OpenAI’s ecosystem. It only works with Codex. You can’t use that context with Claude, Cursor, or any other tool.
Stubble takes the opposite approach: capture context once, use it everywhere. MCP integration means your work history is available to any compatible AI tool. You’re not betting on one provider winning the AI race.
Can You Use Both?
Technically yes, but there’s no real benefit. Both capture screen context. Running both would be redundant.
If you’re a ChatGPT Pro subscriber who only uses Codex, Chronicle is included in what you’re already paying for.
If you use multiple AI tools, want time tracking, or don’t want to pay $200/month, Stubble is the better fit.