COMPARISON
Locke vs Private AI
Private AI is a well-regarded PII detection and redaction company with a developer-oriented API that identifies, redacts, and replaces personal data across many entity types, languages, and file formats. It supports cloud and on-premise / in-VPC deployment, which makes it a strong building block for engineering teams adding redaction to their own pipelines. The key difference is intent: Private AI is infrastructure you integrate into a product, while Locke is an end-user privacy layer that acts the moment someone is using an AI tool. (Deployment options evolve — confirm current specifics with Private AI directly.)
When Private AI fits
- You are a developer or platform team that needs a redaction API to embed in your own application or data pipeline.
- You need to redact PII/PHI/PCI across many languages and file types programmatically, at scale.
- You can run the service in your own environment (on-premise or VPC) and want full control over deployment.
When Locke fits
- You want a finished end-user control that acts when a person pastes into ChatGPT, Claude, or another AI tool — not an API to build with.
- You want detection and masking to run on the individual's device with nothing to integrate or operate.
- You want a free starting point (Canary) and a per-user desktop app (Locke, coming soon) rather than usage-based API infrastructure.
Side-by-side
| Dimension | Locke | Private AI |
|---|---|---|
| Product shape | End-user privacy layer at the point of AI use. | Developer API / infrastructure for redaction pipelines. |
| Who deploys it | Individuals and teams install and run it themselves. | Engineering teams integrate it into apps or workflows. |
| Where processing runs | On the user's device, before the prompt is sent. | In the cloud or in your own on-premise / VPC deployment. |
| Entry point | Free OSS Canary now; Locke desktop app coming soon. | API service — contact vendor for current pricing and terms. |
| Best for | Stopping prompt leakage for the person using AI. | Building redaction into your own software at scale. |
Bottom line
Private AI and Locke aren't really the same kind of product. Private AI is excellent redaction infrastructure for teams building their own pipelines, with the flexibility of on-premise deployment. Locke is a finished, local-first control for the person actually using an AI tool. Building a product that needs redaction? Look at Private AI. Protecting the prompts your team types every day? That's Locke's job. Verify current capabilities with each vendor.
