Comparison

Pal Chat vs LM Mini

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

Head to head
About

Pal Chat

This app acts as a universal AI chat client, supporting a wide range of models and features like image input, image generation, and offline capabilities. It offers a private and secure experience with no data collection and no ads.

Highlights
  • Supports all major AI models
  • Image input and generation
  • Offline local model support
  • Save prompts and history
  • Stream responses
  • Full Markdown and LaTeX support
Features
Read full description

The last AI iOS app you'll need! Pal Chat is a lightweight, powerful, and feature-rich AI Chat Client for your iPhone. It supports EVERY AI model in one interface, including support for: GPT-5.5, Claude 4.7, Gemini 3.1, Grok 4.3, Cursor, Advanced Voice Mode, Image input, GPT-Image 2, Groq, Perplexity, OpenRouter, DeepSeek, Mistral, Fal.ai, Together.ai, custom endpoints, and fully offline local models. No ads, fully private and secure - NO data is collected. Features Overview: - Save multiple prompts and system messages - Store conversation history on-device - Use Image input to process images - Generate images through GPT-Image, Stable Diffusion, Flux, or Fal.ai - Regenerate responses - Edit your questions - Stream the response - Easily switch between models - See the token length and cost of the conversation - Copy an entire conversation from the history page - Full Markdown, LaTeX, and Syntax Highlighting Support - Siri Shortcuts Support Some Benefits of the App over the website: - No usage limits - Privacy - History is only stored on-device - Lets you edit the system message and temperature values - Universal - easily switch many different models Make sure to get an API Key! ‘Pal’ is not liable for any content generated. Terms of Use: https://bit.ly/termsOfUsePalChatEULA Privacy Policy: https://bit.ly/privacyPolicyPalChatEULA

About

LM Mini

Chat with your locally hosted language models directly from your iPhone. This companion app connects to your LM Studio server, offering features like conversation management, context visualization, and privacy-first data handling. It also supports image generation through Automatic1111 integration.

Highlights
  • Connect to LM Studio server
  • Chat with local language models
  • Manage multiple conversations
  • Track context usage
  • Dark mode support
  • Image generation integration
Features
Read full description

Chat with LM Studio, Ollama, and oMLX from your iPhone — or run on-device models offline. Private local AI on hardware you control. No cloud chat subscription required. THREE WAYS TO USE IT 1. On-device — download a model and chat with no internet 2. Connected — LM Studio, Ollama, Jan AI, or oMLX over Wi‑Fi or USB 3. Remote — LM Mini Connect from anywhere, encrypted with your key One app for phone-side models and your desktop local setup. WHAT TO EXPECT Phone models are not the same as huge hosted models in a data center. They are smaller, and that is expected. Performance will vary by hardware. What you gain is control: offline use, private chats on your device or your home machine, and freedom to run the open models you choose. BUILT FOR - People already running LM Studio, Ollama, oMLX or Jan AI who want that stack in their pocket - People who want on-device chat when they are offline or away from Wi-Fi - People who care about keeping conversations off third-party chat servers - Researchers, builders, and privacy-minded users experimenting with local AI INSIDE THE APP - Download and run on-device models on your phone - Connect to LM Studio, Ollama, Jan AI and oMLX - Remote access through LM Mini Connect with your encryption key - Manage and download models on LM Studio from your phone - Local conversation history, folders, and context usage tracking - Personas, plus group chat with up to 5 models in one conversation - Voice chat with Kokoro - Image generation with ComfyUI and Automatic1111 - Web search through SearXNG - Memory so your AI can remember details about you - On-device semantic search across your chats - Background generation, so you don't have to sit and stare at the screen - Themes, backgrounds, and avatars - Import chats from LM Studio - Optional encrypted cloud backups - Custom servers with custom headers - Optional APIs when you want them: OpenAI, OpenRouter, Mistral, DeepSeek, Google Gemini, and more - MCP tool calling - In-app support and feature requests - Dark mode and a chat UI meant for daily use PRIVACY For local use, chats stay on your phone, or between your phone and your own computer. We don't need your conversations to make that core local path work. If you choose optional cloud APIs, those requests go to the provider you pick. SETUP On-device: a compatible phone with enough free storage and memory for the model you pick. Connected mode: LM Studio, Ollama, or oMLX on your computer, plus local network or USB access, or LM Mini Connect for remote use. Install LM Mini and keep your local AI with you. Download LM Mini today and start chatting with your local AI models privately and securely! This app uses Apple Standard EULA license and its available at https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Pal Chat4 screens
LM Mini4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: LM Mini at every 3 days against Pal Chat's every 3 weeks. LM Mini also leads on rating (4.5 vs 4.3) and review sentiment (67% vs 59%). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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. Pal Chat sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and LM Mini sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

LM Mini holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 417 and 141 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 59% of Pal Chat's written reviews are positive against 67% of LM Mini's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pal Chat ships an update every 3 weeks, LM Mini every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Pal Chat versus LM Mini: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPal ChatLM Mini
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (417 ratings)4.5 (141 ratings) — better
Positive reviews59.1% of reviews67.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings417 — better141
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS16.016.0
Further details — not scored
Size101 MB174 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperPulkit AgarwalSultan Haider

Customer experience

Pal Chat

All ratings417 ratings
Positive80.6%
Neutral4.8%
Negative14.6%
Written reviews110 reviews
Positive59.1%
Neutral12.7%
Negative28.2%

LM Mini

All ratings141 ratings
Positive87.2%
Neutral3.5%
Negative9.2%
Written reviews46 reviews
Positive67.4%
Neutral8.7%
Negative23.9%

Bugs and requests

Pal Chat

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Inability to change AI provider
  • Freezing on long responses
  • Unavailability of certain models (e.g., GPT-4o-mini)

Requested features

5 requests
  • Conversation history search
  • Support for local/self-hosted models
  • Multimodal support (vision, audio)
  • Ability to edit/delete messages in conversation
  • Dynamic model listing from providers

LM Mini

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Pal Chat

Subscriptions2
  • Pal Chat Pro3 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • Pal Chat Pro Annual7 Days trial$68.991 Year
3 purchases

LM Mini

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription$4.991 Month
  • Yearly Subscription$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Premium$119.99

Questions

Is Pal Chat free?
Pal Chat is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is LM Mini free?
LM Mini is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Pal Chat or LM Mini?
LM Mini is rated higher. Pal Chat averages 4.3 out of 5 from 417 ratings, while LM Mini averages 4.5 from 141 ratings.
Do Pal Chat or LM Mini have ads?
Neither Pal Chat nor LM Mini shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Pal Chat or LM Mini?
Pal Chat ships an update every 3 weeks, and LM Mini every 3 days. Most recently, Pal Chat was updated on September 21, 2026 and LM Mini on September 24, 2026.

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