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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →A Distill local monitor checks a page from a browser extension or the Distill Desktop App on your computer; a cloud monitor checks from Distill’s servers. Local checks depend on your device and monitoring software being available. Cloud checks can continue when your computer is off or your browser is closed. That difference also affects browser context, intervals, resource use, and supported features.
How local and cloud checks work
Distill monitors a page by opening it on a schedule, reading its HTML, and notifying you when it detects a change. With a local monitor, that work runs in your browser or Distill Desktop App. With a cloud monitor, it runs on Distill’s servers. Distill’s local and cloud monitor comparison describes cloud checks as continuing even when your PC is off or your browser is closed.
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The distinction is where the page is checked, not simply where you view or manage the monitor. Monitors created in Distill’s web app default to cloud; those added through the browser extension or desktop app default to local. The device icon in the watchlist shows which device is selected.
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Local vs. cloud: the practical differences
| Factor | Local monitor | Cloud monitor |
|---|---|---|
| Where checks run | Your browser extension or Desktop App | Distill’s servers |
| Must your computer stay available? | Yes. The device and relevant browser or app must be running. | No. Checks can continue while your device is off. |
| Documented minimum interval | Distill’s comparison lists five seconds for local/browser add-on checks. | Distill lists a two-minute minimum on Flexi; cloud limits vary by plan. |
| Check accounting | Distill describes local checks as unlimited. | Checks use plan resources and are counted in ten-second units. |
| Page context | Uses the local device and browser context; useful for some logged-in, restricted, or location-specific pages. | Uses a cloud context. Proxies or Dedicated Cloud Devices may help with some access or state requirements. |
| PDF and XML monitors | Not supported in Distill’s comparison. | Supported in Distill’s comparison. |
| Audio notifications | Supported for local monitors. | Not supported for cloud monitors. |
Intervals and allowances can depend on plan and account. Distill’s pricing page is the place to verify current limits before relying on a particular schedule or quota.
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Which monitor should you choose?
Choose local when browser context or access matters
- The page blocks requests from Distill’s cloud infrastructure.
- The page requires an active local login or behaves differently in a real browser.
- You need a page available only from your network or geographic location.
- You need very frequent checks and can keep the computer and monitoring software available.
These are use cases Distill identifies for local monitoring in its enterprise local monitoring guide. The trade-off is that a sleeping, shut-down, or disconnected device cannot perform its local checks.
Choose cloud when unattended continuity matters
Cloud is the practical choice when monitoring must continue while your computer is off, provided the page is reachable from Distill’s servers. If it is not, Distill documents proxy options and Dedicated Cloud Devices. Dedicated devices run in Distill’s infrastructure and can retain browser data such as cookies, local storage, and proxies. Distill says its older cloud Profiles feature has been deprecated in favor of Dedicated Cloud Devices.
Rank #2
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- REAL-TIME PROTECTION Advanced security protects against existing and emerging malware threats, including ransomware and viruses, and it won’t slow down your device performance.
- DARK WEB MONITORING Identity thieves can buy or sell your information on websites and forums. We search the dark web and notify you should your information be found.
For shared team monitoring
Local monitors may need workspace configuration before teammates can see and manage them. Distill’s enterprise guide describes associating the browser or device with a Primary Workspace.
Set the monitor’s device and verify it is running
- Create or select the monitor. Monitors made in the web app default to cloud; monitors added through the extension or desktop app default to local.
- Check the device icon in the watchlist. Confirm that the monitor is assigned to the intended local device or cloud service.
- For a local monitor, keep its runtime available. Leave the computer on and the relevant browser extension or Desktop App running. Distill’s platform guide covers its browser and app options.
- Confirm the plan supports the interval and monitor type. Check current plan details for cloud limits, formats, and resource allowances.
Troubleshoot failed or missing checks
A local monitor has stopped checking
Check that the computer is on and that the browser or Desktop App and local monitoring are running. A browser extension cannot check a page while its device is off.
Rank #3
- THREAT DETECTION – Stay one step ahead. Suspicious links, risky sites, viruses, and scams, caught automatically before they reach you.
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Local works, but cloud fails
The page may block cloud-side access or depend on state available only in your local browser. Review Distill’s documentation for Dedicated Cloud Devices and any applicable proxy setup; those options address some, not necessarily all, access differences.
Logs are missing on another device
Distill stores logs according to where checks run: cloud logs are available in the web app, extension logs for local browser monitors, and local-device logs for Desktop App monitors. Look for the history on the device or service that performed the checks.
Rank #4
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- ONGOING PROTECTION Download instantly & install protection for 5 PCs, Macs, iOS or Android devices in minutes!
- TOP-PERFORMING VPN Faster speeds, more server locations, and greater connection control to protect your privacy across all your devices, including Smart TVs.
- ADVANCED SCAM PROTECTION Help spot hidden scams online. With the built-in Genie AI assistant, you’ll never wonder if a message or email is suspicious again.
- REAL-TIME PROTECTION Advanced security protects against existing and emerging malware threats, including ransomware and viruses, and it won’t slow down your device performance.
- DARK WEB MONITORING Identity thieves can buy or sell your information on websites and forums. We search the dark web and notify you should your information be found.
What Distill’s published plan figures mean
When Distill’s official pricing page was accessed on October 3, 2026, it displayed these monthly plans and cloud check allocations. Prices and limits are changeable, and unused resources expire at the end of the billing period.
| Plan shown October 3, 2026 | Displayed price | Monthly cloud checks |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 1,000 |
| Starter | $15/month | 30,000 |
| Professional | $35/month | 100,000 |
| Flexi | $80+/month | 200,000+ |
Distill’s comparison lists five seconds as the local/browser-add-on minimum and two minutes as the cloud minimum on Flexi. These are values in the reviewed documentation, not a guarantee for every plan or account. Check the current pricing and feature details before choosing a monitor around a specific interval or allowance.
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Or skip the browser setup
If you need a screenshot of a page rather than ongoing change monitoring, ScreenshotNeo is a separate website screenshot API and MCP server for developers. A single GET request can return a PNG, JPEG, WebP, or PDF; it does not replace Distill’s scheduled monitoring.
Quick Recap
For example, capture a page to WebP with cURL:
curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://stripe.com -o shot.webpSee the ScreenshotNeo API documentation for options. It can accept cookie and consent banners and remove known consent platforms, newsletter popups, and chat widgets before capture; those steps can be disabled. Bot checks, blank pages, failed loads, timeouts, and cache hits are not billed, and response headers indicate the page verdict and billing status. It also offers an MCP server for AI agents, including Claude, Cursor, and other MCP clients. The free plan includes 1,000 screenshots per month without a card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000. Sign up for 1,000 free screenshots a month with no card.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
