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Local-first vs cloud email trackers
Cloud email trackers store opens (and often subjects) on a vendor’s servers so you can log in anywhere. Local-first tools keep correspondence metadata on the device that sent the mail. SentCue Email Tracking is local-first in this version: chrome.storage.local for history and reminders; the backend stores random tokens and timestamps to produce activity signals, not a searchable copy of your Sent folder.
Who should pick which
Pick local-first if one Chrome profile is where you work, you do not want subjects on a vendor disk, and you accept that a new laptop starts empty. Pick cloud if you live on two machines, you need a manager to see opens, or you require export into a CRM. SentCue is the first camp on purpose.
Export, backup, and several devices
Cloud products usually offer CSV/API export because the data already sits in their warehouse. SentCue’s History page is the UI for this install. There is no multi-device restore key. If that is a deal-breaker, use a cloud tracker and accept that subjects live on someone else’s disk. If you only send from one Chrome profile, local-first is the smaller surface.
What you gain
- Subject and recipient are not sitting in our database waiting for a breach narrative.
- No SentCue password to phish.
- Clearing the extension clears the history you can see.
What you give up
- No automatic sync to another Chrome profile or phone.
- No vendor export of a full cloud archive — you see History in this install (500 rows / 90 days, reminders kept longer if active).
- A reinstall on a wiped disk starts empty.
A later paid cloud copy would be opt-in. It is not in this version. Activity signals detected. Automated loads are filtered. Signals are not proof that a person read the message.