Comparison

Advanced Search Smart Options vs Lookinglass

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Advanced Search Smart Options

Simplify complex web searches by inputting keywords. This tool automatically generates advanced search queries with operators for precise results. Explore options like exact matches, date ranges, and specific file types.

Highlights
  • Keyword-based advanced search
  • Automatic search operator generation
  • AND, OR, and exclusion searches
  • Numerical and date range filtering
  • Specify site, domain, and file type
  • Search scope selection (title, content, URL)
Features
Read full description

This app allows you to perform advanced web searches with just inputting keywords. Web searches can be conducted using search operators, enabling various search options. However, using search operators often requires combining alphabets and symbols with spaces, which can become cumbersome. For instance, When you want to search for "Apple Inc." articles within Wikipedia's page content, you would need to input the following: allintext: apple -fruit site:wikipedia.org The app automatically generates such commands, enabling you to perform advanced searches by just inputting keywords. The search engine used is Google. Available Search Criteria ・AND search, including all keywords ・Exact match search for keywords ・OR search, including any of the keywords ・Exclusion search, excluding certain keywords from results ・Numerical ranges (e.g., from $1,000 to $5,000, from 3kg to 10kg) ・Range of update dates ・Language ・Region ・Specific sites or domains ・Related sites ・File formats (pdf, doc, xls, ppt, etc.) ・Search scope (page title only, page content only, page URL only, etc.)

About

Lookinglass

Access 30 OpenAI models with transparent pricing and robust privacy controls. Enjoy a pay-as-you-go wallet system, local data encryption, and iCloud sync for seamless cross-device use. Customize AI behavior and export conversations in various formats.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

Screenshots

Advanced Search Smart Options4 screens
Lookinglass4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Lookinglass at 5.0 against Advanced Search Smart Options's 4.3. Lookinglass also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). Advanced Search Smart Options's advantage is ratings volume (30 vs 2). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Advanced Search Smart Options sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Lookinglass sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Lookinglass holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Advanced Search Smart Options has 30 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Advanced Search Smart Options ships an update every 2 months, Lookinglass every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Advanced Search Smart Options versus Lookinglass: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAdvanced Search Smart OptionsLookinglass
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (30 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews71.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings30 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB9 MB
Age rating17+12+
Developermanabu uedaCory Hamilton

Customer experience

Advanced Search Smart Options

All ratings30 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive71.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative28.6%

Lookinglass

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Advanced Search Smart Options

One-time1
  • Ad-Free Plan$3.99
10 purchases

Lookinglass

One-time10
  • $1 Credit Top-Up$1.00
  • $2 Credit Top-Up$2.00
  • $3 Credit Top-Up$3.00
Show 7 more
  • $5 Credit Top-Up$5.00
  • $10 Credit Top-Up$10.00
  • $20 Credit Top-Up$20.00
  • $50 Credit Top-Up$50.00
  • $100 Credit Top-Up$100.00
  • $200 Credit Top-Up$200.00
  • $500 Credit Top-Up$500.00

Questions

Is Advanced Search Smart Options free?
Advanced Search Smart Options is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Lookinglass free?
Lookinglass is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Advanced Search Smart Options or Lookinglass?
Lookinglass is rated higher. Advanced Search Smart Options averages 4.3 out of 5 from 30 ratings, while Lookinglass averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Advanced Search Smart Options or Lookinglass have ads?
Advanced Search Smart Options shows ads; Lookinglass does not.
Which is updated more often, Advanced Search Smart Options or Lookinglass?
Advanced Search Smart Options ships an update every 2 months, and Lookinglass every 2 weeks. Most recently, Advanced Search Smart Options was updated on October 6, 2026 and Lookinglass on October 2, 2026.

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