Pal Chat vs RouterChat for OpenRouter
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Supports all major AI models
- Image input and generation
- Offline local model support
- Save prompts and history
- Stream responses
- Full Markdown and LaTeX support
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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
RouterChat for OpenRouter
This app provides a native interface for OpenRouter, allowing users to engage in AI conversations across Apple devices. It features a pseudo-voice mode for hands-free interaction and syncs data via iCloud.
- OpenRouter integration
- Pseudo-voice mode
- Cross-platform sync (iPhone, iPad, Watch, CarPlay)
- iCloud chat storage
- Keychain API key saving
- Account status monitoring
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RouterChat is a native, unofficial OpenRouter client for iPhone and iPad. Choose the AI model for your task, ask by text or voice, and keep useful answers organized. CHOOSE YOUR MODEL Browse models available to your OpenRouter account, save favorites, and switch models for different tasks. Compare responses with Fusion, or create images and videos with compatible models. Configure supported tools for search and other tasks, then inspect reported tool activity and source excerpts. TALK OR TYPE Record a prompt or listen to a reply. Use Speech for transcription and text-to-speech. Pro adds Hands-free conversations and a CarPlay interface on iPhone. On Apple Watch, enter or record a question, then read or play the answer. KEEP USEFUL ANSWERS Ask about PDFs and most text files with compatible models, including files shared from the iOS share sheet. Attach images when your chosen model supports them. Read answers with Markdown, formatted math, syntax-highlighted code, and Mermaid diagrams. Save useful passages with Bookmarks, name your chats, and return to earlier messages to start new conversation branches. Export chats to Obsidian-compatible Markdown or JSON, and continue saved chats on iPhone, iPad, and Mac with optional iCloud history. For development work, share .ips crash reports, Jetsam reports, and other diagnostic logs to investigate with your chosen model. CONTROL YOUR SETUP Check your OpenRouter key status, credits, balance, usage, and limits. Choose provider data preferences and whether to use iCloud for saved chats and settings. Your OpenRouter key is stored in the device Keychain. FREE APP FEATURES. OPTIONAL LIFETIME PRO. Core chat, manual voice input and playback, manual Speech transcription and text-to-speech, Bookmarks, and exports do not require Pro. RouterChat.Pro is one optional lifetime purchase for iPhone, iPad, and Mac App Store. It unlocks Hands-free and CarPlay conversations, regional endpoint selection, custom system-message editing, and saved parameter profiles for individual models. Current and future Pro features are included. BRING YOUR OPENROUTER ACCOUNT Sign in with OpenRouter or use an API key. Provider usage is billed separately; Pro does not include OpenRouter credits or model licenses. PDF parsing can add charges. Model availability, pricing, capabilities, tool support, and provider data policies vary. Regional endpoints require an eligible account and compatible models.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: RouterChat for OpenRouter at 4.9 against Pal Chat's 4.3. RouterChat for OpenRouter also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 59%) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). Pal Chat's advantage is ratings volume (435 vs 44) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.0). On price, 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
Both are free to download. Pal Chat sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and RouterChat for OpenRouter sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
RouterChat for OpenRouter holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pal Chat has 435 ratings behind it against 44, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 59% of Pal Chat's written reviews are positive against 100% of RouterChat for OpenRouter's.
Pal Chat ships an update every 3 weeks, RouterChat for OpenRouter every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Pal Chat | RouterChat for OpenRouter |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.3 (435 ratings) | 4.9 (44 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 59.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 435 — better | 44 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 9 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 104 MB | 72 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Pulkit Agarwal | Aleksei Kolchanov |
Customer experience
Pal Chat
RouterChat for OpenRouter
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
RouterChat for OpenRouter
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Pal Chat
- Pal Chat Pro3 Days trial$6.991 Month
- Pal Chat Pro Annual7 Days trial$68.991 Year
RouterChat for OpenRouter
- RouterChat.Pro$12.99
Questions
Is Pal Chat free?
Is RouterChat for OpenRouter free?
Which has better reviews, Pal Chat or RouterChat for OpenRouter?
Do Pal Chat or RouterChat for OpenRouter have ads?
Which is updated more often, Pal Chat or RouterChat for OpenRouter?
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