Histiq
Histiq is an AI-powered browser history search extension for Chrome and Edge that indexes the web pages and PDFs a user reads, enabling retrieval by meaning rather than keyword. It performs semantic search entirely on-device, with no cloud processing, no tracking, and no account required. The extension is designed to address the common problem of losing useful information after closing tabs or forgetting exact titles or URLs. It automatically indexes page contents and PDF text, allowing users to describe a vague recollection and receive relevant matches ranked by semantic similarity. Histiq positions itself as a private, local alternative to cloud-based search tools, emphasizing that zero bytes are sent to its servers. The product offers a 14-day free trial without requiring a credit card, after which it is a paid extension. It is marketed to heavy browser users, researchers, and professionals who want to turn their browsing history into a searchable personal knowledge base. By keeping all data local, Histiq also appeals to privacy-conscious users concerned about data collection by cloud services.
- Category
- Vector DB
- Pricing
- Paid
Problem solved
Browser history is typically difficult to search because native history tools rely on exact URLs or page titles, and PDFs are not indexed at all. Histiq solves this by performing local semantic search across a user's entire browsing history and downloaded PDFs, allowing them to find previously read pages or documents using natural-language descriptions, even when they cannot remember any exact words or titles.
Use cases
- Find a web page read weeks ago by describing its topic or content
- Retrieve research papers and PDFs by conceptual meaning instead of filenames
- Re-discover articles and tutorials without remembering the exact title or URL
- Close dozens of tabs confidently knowing every page remains searchable locally
- Search across technical documentation, blog posts, and reference material
- Avoid re-googling problems that were already solved and read before
- Build a private, searchable archive of everything read online
Audience
- Developers
- Researchers
- Data Scientists
- Product Managers
- Hobbyists
Pros
- 100% local processing — no cloud or data exfiltration
- Semantic search outperforms keyword-based history search
- Indexes PDF contents automatically
- No account or tracking required
- Low search latency (<50ms)
Cons
- Paid extension (no permanent free tier)
- Only available for Chrome and Edge
- Indexing may consume device storage and CPU resources
- Not open source
- Requires installation and indexing period before full benefits appear
Official website: https://histiq.com/
Canonical LambdaBase page: https://www.lambdabase.com/tools/histiq