Comparison

Elephas vs ara

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

Head to head
About

Elephas

Transform your documents, notes, and research into a conversational AI knowledge base. Ask questions and get instant answers with source citations, organize information into separate project brains, and sync across devices. Enhance your writing with an AI keyboard.

Highlights
  • Chat with files, docs, and notes
  • Instant answers with source citations
  • Multiple knowledge brains for projects
  • Seamless Mac and iPhone sync
  • AI writing keyboard for iOS
  • Supports 20+ file formats
  • Semantic search and knowledge graph
Features
Read full description

AI IS POWERFUL. UNTIL YOUR WORK BECOMES SENSITIVE. Most AI tools work well for general use. But when it comes to client documents, internal notes, research, or confidential data, things change. Elephas lets you use AI on your files without exposing sensitive information. With local-first processing, smart redaction, and flexible AI modes, you can work with your knowledge safely while still getting powerful results. BUILT FOR SENSITIVE WORK Elephas is designed for professionals who deal with important information every day. • Automatically redacts sensitive data before AI processing • Keeps your knowledge local whenever possible • Use offline AI or protected cloud models • Choose how your data is handled based on your needs Use AI confidently, even with documents you would normally avoid sharing. CHAT WITH YOUR FILES Turn your documents into something you can actually talk to. • Ask questions and get instant answers with sources • Works across PDFs, notes, documents, and more • Understands context, not just keywords • Find insights across your entire knowledge base Example questions: • What were the risks mentioned in this report • Summarize these documents for my meeting • Find everything related to pricing strategy Your knowledge becomes easy to search and use. WORK YOUR WAY Elephas adapts to how you work. • Choose between local AI or cloud AI with redaction • Organize information into separate knowledge spaces • Keep personal, work, and client data separate • Everything is indexed automatically You decide how AI works for you. MAC AND IPHONE, IN SYNC Start on Mac and continue on iPhone. • Access your knowledge anywhere • Sync documents, notes, and conversations • Capture ideas on the go and use them later Your AI workspace stays with you. OPTIONAL AI WRITING KEYBOARD Use Elephas across any app on iOS. • Draft emails, messages, and reports faster • Rewrite in different tones • Fix grammar and improve clarity Works in Mail, Messages, WhatsApp, Slack, and more. BUILT FOR REAL WORK Elephas is used by people who rely on their information. • Consultants and business professionals • Lawyers and analysts • Researchers and academics • Founders and operators If your work depends on knowledge, Elephas helps you move faster without taking risks. POWERFUL CAPABILITIES • Chat with PDFs, documents, notes, and research • Source citations for every answer • Summaries and insights from your own data • Save web content and build your knowledge base • Voice notes with transcription • Works with modern AI models like OpenAI, Claude, and Gemini YOUR DATA, HANDLED RESPONSIBLY • Sensitive data is redacted before AI processing • You control when cloud AI is used • Use zero-retention open source cloud models • Your data is not used to train models Built for trust and real work. TRY ELEPHAS FREE Start your 7-day free trial and experience a safer way to use AI with your knowledge. Work smarter. Stay organized. Use AI where it actually matters. Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy policy: https://elephas.app/privacy-ios This app can use APIs from OpenAI, Google and Anthropic. Elephas is not affiliated with or endorsed by these providers.

About

ara

Features
Read full description

ara is where teams share, align, and connect through asynchronous video threads — a richer, more human way to collaborate without the need to meet live. Perfect for teams with busy schedules who want to maintain context, connection, and clarity across offices and time zones.

Screenshots

Elephas4 screens
ara4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ara at none against Elephas's 6. ara also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 5 weeks) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads 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. Elephas sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. ara asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Elephas ships an update every 5 weeks, ara weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Elephas versus ara: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterElephasara
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.5 (12 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews26.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings12 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.014.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size68 MB40 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperSelvam SJoeyApp SL

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Elephas

Subscriptions6
  • Standard Monthly7 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • Pro Monthly7 Days trial$19.991 Month
  • Pro Plus Monthly7 Days trial$29.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • Standard Yearly7 Days trial$69.991 Year
  • Pro Yearly7 Days trial$199.991 Year
  • Pro Plus Yearly7 Days trial$299.991 Year
None

ara

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Elephas free?
Elephas is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ara free?
ara is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Elephas or ara have ads?
Neither Elephas nor ara shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Elephas or ara?
Elephas ships an update every 5 weeks, and ara weekly. Most recently, Elephas was updated on October 15, 2026 and ara on October 1, 2026.

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