Sygal
Local document conversion for developers and teams
Developer ToolsPaid#markdown#document-conversion#local-processing
Listed by the ProductPerch team from Hacker News · not launched here yet
What is Sygal?
Sygal is a desktop application for macOS and Windows that converts files into clean Markdown and structured JSON. It supports 29 file types, including PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, HTML, email formats, EPUB, and various image formats. Document conversion runs entirely on your machine using MarkItDown, so files do not leave your computer.
For images, scans, and screenshots, Sygal performs optical character recognition through providers you select, such as OpenAI, Claude, Mistral, NVIDIA NIM, or Gemini. You supply your own API key, and the software applies no markup to the service costs. Users can also import content directly from URLs or paste screenshots.
The app includes a side-by-side preview of the original file and the converted text, allowing edits before export. A persistent local library stores all conversions with full-text search, and batch processing is available for volume workflows. A command-line interface mirrors the desktop features for scripting and automation.
Sygal features
- Converts 29 document and image formats to Markdown and JSON
- Runs document conversion locally without uploading files
- Uses custom API keys for OCR on images and scans
- Side-by-side preview and inline editing before export
- Persistent local library with full-text search
- Command-line interface for scripts and automation
- Shows token count for every processed document
- Batch conversion and direct URL import support
Who uses Sygal and for what
- Preparing PDFs and spreadsheets for RAG pipelines and vector databases
- Converting scanned contracts and medical records while keeping data private
- Building automated research workflows with clean transcript extraction
- Standardizing mixed file formats into consistent JSON for agent processing
- Creating searchable archives of meeting notes and internal documentation
Sygal FAQ
Is Sygal free to use?
Sygal offers a 14-day free trial without requiring a credit card. After the trial, it requires a one-time purchase. The launch price is 25 euros, and the standard price is 29 euros. Team licenses are also available for multiple seats. The website does not mention a permanently free tier.
Does Sygal work on Mac and Windows?
Yes, the desktop application supports macOS 12 or later and Windows 10 or later. The companion command-line tool works on macOS, Windows, and Linux distributions that use glibc. The interface is available in French, English, Italian, German, and Spanish.
Is my data kept private when using Sygal?
Document conversion runs fully locally on your machine and never leaves your computer. Only images sent for OCR or URLs you manually import reach the network. You control which OCR provider handles your images by entering your own API key. Your API keys are stored encrypted locally.
Can I use Sygal with my own AI models?
Yes, you can select from built-in OCR providers like OpenAI, Claude, Mistral, NVIDIA NIM, or Gemini. You can also add any custom provider by supplying your own API endpoint and key. The software does not add markup to API costs, allowing you to switch engines at any time.
What file formats does Sygal support?
Sygal supports 29 extensions across 17 document types and 12 image types. Documents include PDF, DOCX, XLSX, PPTX, HTML, CSV, TXT, XML, EPUB, RTF, MSG, EML, IPYNB, ZIP, and legacy XLS. Images include PNG, JPG, GIF, WEBP, TIFF, HEIC, HEIF, and AVIF.
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