DISKO

DISKO is a media asset manager for Mac that helps video teams organize footage with AI tagging, transcription, face recognition, shot descriptions, and plain-language search. The maker says these AI functions run on the Mac; footage is uploaded only when a user chooses to sync a project to DISKO Cloud. The desktop app plays ProRes, DNxHD, MXF, 10-bit HEVC, and formats FFmpeg can decode, with real-time LUT preview. Editors can export selects, rough cuts, and multicamera sequences as XML for Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve. DISKO can index and preview clips in Google Drive without downloading originals until they are needed for editing. DISKO Cloud offers timestamped comments, frame drawing, synced side-by-side comparison, version stacking, branded client portals, and viewing analytics. The app requires an Apple Silicon Mac with an M1 chip or later. Cloud Free includes 2 GB, screenwriting and shot-list tools, and review links. Cloud Pro costs $12 a month at the founders rate; DISKO Local costs $99, paid once, with unlimited local storage and free updates for the current major version. Future major versions are paid upgrades. DISKO describes its audience as wedding and event filmmakers, documentary editors, YouTube teams, and commercial production.

DISKO pairs local footage organization with optional cloud review and delivery tools. Check the Mac hardware requirement and the distinct Cloud and Local plan terms before choosing.

DISKO suits filmmakers and editing teams who need to organize video footage and share review materials. Its audience includes wedding and event filmmakers, documentary editors, YouTube teams, and commercial production.

DISKO is a Mac media asset manager for video teams that want to organize footage and find shots with local AI. It suits filmmakers and production crews best; its standout advantage is connecting footage search to editing handoffs and optional cloud review, though its Apple Silicon requirement and separate Local and Cloud plans call for careful plan selection.

Overview

DISKO keeps tagging, transcription, face recognition, and shot descriptions on the Mac. Footage is uploaded only if a user chooses to sync a project to DISKO Cloud, a useful distinction for teams that want local analysis without giving up cloud collaboration. There are specific exceptions: Make-a-Story sends project transcripts to the AI provider chosen by the user through their own API key, location names are geocoded online, and bug reports send logs.

Search supports visual, audio, and multimodal queries, so the catalog can be searched by footage content as well as conventional project organization. DISKO is more production-focused than a generic file catalog, but its desktop app requires an Apple Silicon Mac with an M1 chip or later.

Key features

Production search and handoffs

The desktop app plays ProRes, DNxHD, MXF, 10-bit HEVC, and formats FFmpeg can decode, with real-time LUT preview. It can index and preview clips in Google Drive without downloading originals until they are needed for editing, which can help keep remote footage in place during browsing. DISKO exports selects, rough cuts, and multicamera sequences as XML for Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve, giving editors a direct handoff into either application.

Cloud review and planning

DISKO Cloud adds timestamped comments, frame drawing, synced side-by-side comparison, version stacking, branded client portals, and viewing analytics. Those tools suit teams collecting client feedback or delivering work, but they depend on choosing a Cloud plan rather than relying on DISKO LOCAL alone. Portfolio video pages can also be embedded in WordPress, Notion, and Squarespace.

Free account tools include screenplay writing and shot lists, with imports for Final Draft, Fountain, and PDF files. These are useful planning additions, but they do not replace footage storage or the Cloud collaboration allowance.

Pricing

DISKO separates cloud collaboration from local media management, so the cheapest option depends on whether a team needs sync and client delivery or only a Mac-based catalog.

• DISKO CLOUD Free: free, with 2 GB, screenwriting and shot-list tools, and review links. It is a starting point for small projects, but the 2 GB cap limits its role as a working media library.
• DISKO CLOUD Pro: $12 a month, with the billed Founders rate locked for life; $15/mo after launch. It includes 100 GB, desktop sync, review links, client delivery, and free external reviewers. This is the fit for teams that need cloud collaboration and client-facing delivery; the 100 GB quota still makes storage capacity a consideration.
• DISKO LOCAL: $99, paid once at Founders pricing; $149 after launch. It provides unlimited local storage and free updates for the current major version. Future major versions are paid upgrades, and the plan does not include the Cloud Pro feature set.

A 30-day trial gives prospective users a chance to assess the paid workflow. Email and live chat support are offered, with responses typically within a few hours.

Platforms

DISKO is available on macOS and the web. The desktop app requires an Apple Silicon Mac with an M1 chip or later, so it is not a fit for Windows users or older Intel Macs.

Who it's for

Wedding and event filmmakers, documentary editors, YouTube teams, and commercial production crews are the clearest audience. DISKO is particularly well suited to editors who need to search substantial footage, pass selects into Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve, and gather feedback or deliver work through Cloud. It is less suitable for users seeking a platform-neutral desktop catalog or teams that need more cloud storage than the Pro quota.

Pros and cons

• Pros: On-device AI handles tagging, transcription, face recognition, and shot descriptions, with upload tied to an explicit Cloud sync choice.
• Pros: XML handoffs, Google Drive indexing, broad playback support, and real-time LUT preview connect search to editing work.
• Pros: Cloud review combines timestamped feedback, comparison, version stacking, branded portals, and analytics, with external reviewers free on Pro.
• Cons: The desktop requirement excludes Windows and Macs without Apple Silicon M1 or later.
• Cons: Cloud Free has only 2 GB, while Pro is capped at 100 GB; Local provides unlimited storage but future major versions cost extra.
• Cons: Cloud collaboration and local storage are distinct plans, so buyers must choose based on workflow rather than assume one purchase covers both.

Alternatives

For more options, browse AI Video Search Tools.

• FrameQuery is worth considering for users who want API, Windows, macOS, or web access and metadata search with local, Drive, or NAS sharing and backup; its free plan has no monthly indexing hours, and face, voice, and AI-tag search require indexed video.
• ViSearch may suit teams wanting API, self-hosted, or web deployment and usage-based video processing; its free tier covers up to 20 minutes of processing without a credit card.
• Twelve Labs is an API and web alternative for users whose needs fit its free allowance of 600 video minutes and 90-day index access.
• Vivu offers a web app and connector with a free monthly allowance of 20 indexing minutes and 50 search credits, making it an option for smaller recurring search needs.
• Cinestar is an open-source Linux and macOS alternative; its local AI services require Ollama.
• Scout Suite is a free open-source multi-cloud security auditing tool.
• Coactive Content Discovery is a paid API and web alternative.
• MomentSearch is a free alternative available across API, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, web, and Windows.

Verdict

Choose DISKO if your video team works on an M1-or-later Mac and wants local AI footage search linked to editing handoffs, with Cloud tools available for client review and delivery. Its combination of local analysis and production workflow features is the main reason to choose it; look elsewhere if you need a Windows desktop app, want one plan to cover both unlimited local storage and Cloud collaboration, or need more than 100 GB of Cloud Pro storage.