Legal
Which version should I get?
Last updated: 7 May 2026
Imprint ships in two distribution channels. Both are the same app with the same privacy story. The differences are at the edges — mostly which email accounts can be read directly, and how updates reach you.
The short answer
Most people want the Mac App Store version. It auto-updates, installs in one click, and is reviewed by Apple. Pick direct download if you use iCloud Mail or a corporate Exchange account and want Imprint to count those emails in your reports — that integration uses Mail.app, which the App Store sandbox blocks.
Side by side
| Feature | Mac App Store | Direct download |
|---|---|---|
| Passive activity tracking | ||
| Calendar (iCloud, Google, Outlook) | ||
| Microsoft 365, Notion, Slack, HubSpot, Linear, Google OAuth | ||
| Daily Commitment, Weekly Reflection, Period Report | ||
| AI summaries (Apple Intelligence + optional Claude) | ||
| On-device transcription (WhisperKit) + optional cloud (Soniox) | ||
| Today, Timeline, Journal, Insights, Meeting Notes | ||
| Local-only data, no telemetry | ||
| Email — Outlook 365 / Gmail (via OAuth) | ||
| Email — iCloud Mail / Yahoo / Exchange / IMAP (via Mail.app) | Sandbox blocks direct Mail.app access | |
| Meeting transcription audio capture | ScreenCaptureKit (Screen Recording permission) | Core Audio Tap (Microphone + System Audio) |
| Updates | Automatic, via App Store | Direct, in-app — faster rollout |
| Install | One click from App Store | Download .dmg, drag to Applications |
Can I switch between versions?
Yes. Both store data on your Mac, but in slightly different locations because of how App Store sandboxing works. If you switch, your activity history doesn't carry over automatically. Synced data — calendar entries, Notion pages, Slack messages — refills from your providers within a few minutes of signing in again.
Why two versions?
The Mac App Store has tighter sandboxing rules that block direct integration with Mail.app. Rather than ship a watered-down version everywhere, we kept a direct-download path for users who need that. Same app, same privacy, different doors.
Privacy is the same on both
Whether you install from the Mac App Store or download directly, Imprint runs entirely on your Mac. No telemetry. No cloud sync of your activity. The App Store version goes through Apple's review for added security verification.
Ready to install? Head to the download section. Still unsure? Email petter@fraction.no.