# Lookinglass — More Models. No Subscriptions.

> AI chat app with 30 OpenAI models, transparent pricing, and local data encryption. (iPhone/iPad app by Cory Hamilton.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lookinglass/id6751123527 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Cory Hamilton](https://appshunter.io/developer/1794022053)
- Category: Productivity, Education
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 2 App Store ratings
- Age rating: 12+
- Requires: iOS 17.6 · 9 MB
- Languages: English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish
- Released: 2025-11-21
- Data updated: 2026-07-03
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lookinglass/id6751123527/reviews.md

## What is Lookinglass?

Lookinglass: AI Chat with Complete Transparency & Control

Take control of your AI experience with Lookinglass—the only chat app that gives you direct access to over 30 OpenAI models with complete cost transparency and privacy protection. Start free with $1 credit on sign-up—try any model risk-free. Guest mode lets you explore without signing in. No credit card required—all purchases via secure in-app payments. Designed for iPhone and iPad.

Why Lookinglass Stands Apart:
COMPLETE FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY
• See the maximum cost for every message with live token estimates
• Pay-as-you-go wallet system—no subscriptions or hidden fees
• Flexible top-ups: 9 amounts ($1-$500). Bonus credits: 3% at $100, 5% at $200, 10% at $500
• Export detailed transaction history and track every interaction
• Choose between Fast and Reliable (Standard) or Smart Savings (50% savings) billing
• Spending alerts: set thresholds to prevent budget surprises
• True cost control: Only pay for what you use, when you use it

UNMATCHED MODEL ACCESS
• Model lineup: Over 30 OpenAI models including cutting-edge gpt-5.5
• Pro models: Access 6 distinct pro level models without an enterprise agreement
• Deep Research: variants available for o3 and o4-mini
• Web Search: real-time internet access on supported models
• Model flexibility: switch mid-conversation with transparent pricing for each
• Advanced controls: creativity levels, reasoning depth, response detail, and AI power level

TRUE PRIVACY PROTECTION
• All conversations stored locally on your device with AES-256 encryption
• Military-grade encryption at rest using Apple's CryptoKit framework
• We cannot see or access your chat content—ever
• Guest mode and Apple Sign-In with complete data isolation
• Only metadata and wallet balances stored remotely
• GDPR and privacy-compliant with no data collection or tracking

SECURE iCLOUD SYNC
• Optional iCloud sync keeps your data private and encrypted across devices
• All synced data remains in your Apple iCloud account—never shared with third parties
• Encryption keys stored securely in iCloud Keychain
• Sync includes: conversations, settings, and permanent memory
• Works seamlessly across all your iOS devices (iPhone and iPad)

SMART ORGANIZATION & CONTROL
• Chat threads: organize, archive, rename, pin, and manage multiple conversations
• Export conversations to text, markdown, or JSON
• Smart Memory: control how much conversation history your AI remembers
• AI Personality: customize responses with permanent memory preferences
• Voice-to-text for natural conversation flow

POWER USER FEATURES
• Creativity: from laser-focused precision to creative brainstorming
• AI Power: quick summaries or deep analysis
• Response Detail: concise answers or detailed explanations
• Live streaming responses or complete answers—your choice
• Advanced model controls for professional workflows

GLOBAL ACCESSIBILITY
• 5 languages supported: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, & Italian
• Localized interface for seamless international use

Perfect For:
Research projects, creative writing, email drafting, coding assistance, learning new topics, brainstorming sessions, or intelligent conversation. Lookinglass works immediately—no setup required.

Why Choose Lookinglass?
Unlike other AI apps that lock you into subscriptions and limited models, Lookinglass gives you direct access to OpenAI's full model lineup with complete transparency about what you're paying for. Access all 6 pro models without enterprise contracts—just pay for what you use. Your conversations stay 100% private on your devices, while optional iCloud sync keeps everything in your personal Apple account.

Complete Control:
Your AI. Your data. Your privacy. Your budget.
Start chatting in seconds. No subscriptions. No surprises. Complete control.

EULA: https://lookinglass.ai/eula
Privacy: https://lookinglass.ai/privacy

## Key features

- Access 30 OpenAI models
- Transparent cost estimates per message
- Pay-as-you-go wallet system
- Local data encryption
- Optional iCloud sync
- Export conversations (text, markdown, JSON)
- Customizable AI personality and memory

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| $2 Credit Top-Up | $2.00 | one-time |
| $3 Credit Top-Up | $3.00 | one-time |
| $10 Credit Top-Up | $10.00 | one-time |
| $100 Credit Top-Up | $100.00 | one-time |
| $1 Credit Top-Up | $1.00 | one-time |
| $5 Credit Top-Up | $5.00 | one-time |
| $20 Credit Top-Up | $20.00 | one-time |
| $200 Credit Top-Up | $200.00 | one-time |
| $50 Credit Top-Up | $50.00 | one-time |
| $500 Credit Top-Up | $500.00 | one-time |



## Frequently asked questions about Lookinglass

### Does Lookinglass have ads?

No, Lookinglass does not contain advertisements. The app is free to download and use, with in-app purchases for model access.

### How does Lookinglass handle privacy?

Lookinglass prioritizes privacy with all conversations stored locally on your device using AES-256 encryption. It also offers optional iCloud sync with encryption keys stored securely in iCloud Keychain.

### What OpenAI models are available on Lookinglass?

Lookinglass provides access to 30 OpenAI models, including cutting-edge options like gpt-5.4, gpt-4o, and various pro variants, without requiring enterprise accounts.

### What are the pricing options for Lookinglass?

Lookinglass uses a pay-as-you-go wallet system with flexible top-ups from $1 to $500. Bonus credits are offered for larger top-ups, and users can choose between standard or a 50% cheaper 'Smart Savings' billing option.

### Can I use Lookinglass without signing in?

Yes, Lookinglass offers a guest mode that allows you to explore its features without signing in or providing any personal information.

### What devices is Lookinglass compatible with?

Lookinglass is designed for iPhone and iPad devices, supporting seamless synchronization across all your iOS devices via iCloud.

### How often is Lookinglass updated?

The latest version of Lookinglass is 1.1.0, and it was last updated on March 12, 2026, indicating active development and regular updates.

### Can I export my conversations from Lookinglass?

Yes, Lookinglass allows you to export your conversations in multiple formats, including plain text, Markdown, and JSON, facilitating easy sharing and archiving.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.1.1 — 2026-06-27

Version 1.1.1 expands the lineup with five new models: gpt-5.5, gpt-5.5-pro, gpt-5.4-mini, gpt-5.4-nano, and chat-latest. gpt-5.5, gpt-5.5-pro, gpt-5.4-mini, and gpt-5.4-nano all support Smart Savings. chat-latest always points to the newest ChatGPT model, kept up to date by OpenAI. Like gpt-5.4, both gpt-5.5 and gpt-5.5-pro use two pricing tiers—a standard rate for context under 272K input tokens, and a high-context rate when the context window exceeds 272K tokens—and the app's estimates and billing reflect the correct tier. We've also refreshed our recommended models throughout the app.

### 1.1.0 — 2026-03-12

Version 1.1.0 adds support for three new models: gpt-5.3-chat-latest, gpt-5.4, and gpt-5.4-pro. gpt-5.4 and gpt-5.4-pro both support Smart Savings. For gpt-5.4 and gpt-5.4-pro, OpenAI uses two pricing tiers: a standard rate for context under 272K input tokens, and a high-context rate when the context window exceeds 272K tokens—estimates and billing in the app reflect the correct tier.

### 1.0.9 — 2025-12-28

Profile Name Clearing: You can now clear your first and last name from your profile

### 1.0.8 — 2025-12-17

• Instant Model Updates : New AI models now appear automatically as they're released—no app update needed
• Technical Details: Enhanced info pages with additional details for power users and developers wanting to map the settings to the API

### 1.0.7 — 2025-12-12

• Support for the latest models (gpt-5.2, gpt-5.2-pro, and gpt-5.2-chat-latest)
• Added translations for the edit profile screen
• Removed AI Power Level from Audit details when it is not configurable for the model

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-07-03.*
