Comparison

Chat API vs Chat for Ollama

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

Head to head
About

Chat API

Access powerful AI models locally or through cloud APIs. This tool offers flexible integration with GPT-4, OpenAI, Grok, and local LLMs for diverse tasks like coding, drafting, and research.

Highlights
  • Private local LLM support with Ollama
  • OpenAI and Grok API integration
  • Built-in text-only GPT-4 model
  • Bing-powered real-time searches
  • Image generation capabilities
  • Seamless model switching
Features
Read full description

Run private local LLM AI models with Ollama, or unleash AI through OpenAI & Grok APIs for advanced features and flexibility. ChatAPI offers a built-in text-only GPT-4 model for instant AI access, plus support for OpenAI API, Grok API, local LLM Ollama models, and Bing-powered real-time searches. - Flexible AI Access: Use the onboard GPT-4, connect Ollama for running private AI locally on your own PC or server, or integrate OpenAI/Grok/Bing APIs for advanced features like image generation. - Versatile & Powerful: Seamlessly switch between models for drafting, coding, brainstorming, or research with fast, reliable responses. Subscription Options: - Monthly: Unlimited GPT-4, OpenAI/Grok/Bing API integration, and Ollama support. - Yearly: Same as monthly, with cost savings. Download ChatAPI for flexible, private, and powerful AI interactions! Privacy Policy: https://sites.google.com/view/gpt-lite/privacy Terms of Use: https://sites.google.com/view/gpt-lite/terms Support: https://sites.google.com/view/gpt-lite/support

About

Chat for Ollama

Features
Read full description

Chat for Ollama is a client for the Ollama or LM Studio server you already run yourself: on a Mac under the desk, in a homelab, or across your own private network. Your questions go to your machine and nowhere else. The app needs a running server: it does not run models on the phone and does not download any. EVERYTHING YOUR SERVER CAN DO IS FREE - Streaming answers from every model on your server - Switch models mid-chat, the conversation stays - Thinking output from reasoning models, collapsed above the answer - Image input for models with vision - System prompt, temperature, Top-P and context length per chat - Unlimited history, stored on the device No server feature is behind a purchase. What you pay for is convenience the app adds, not something Ollama already gives you. CONNECTING, WITHOUT THE GUESSWORK Most first attempts fail for one reason: Ollama listens on 127.0.0.1 by default, so the phone cannot reach it — and no error message says so. - Scan your local network for servers on port 11434 - Paste a copied address straight from the clipboard - When a connection fails you get a screen, not an error code: what was tried, what came back, what it means, and the exact command to fix it with a copy button - Reachability dot per server THE CHAT ITSELF - Markdown, tables and code blocks with a copy button per block - Speed readout after each answer: tokens per second and duration - Context meter that warns before the server silently truncates the history - Copy, regenerate, edit your own message, delete - Stop button that really cancels the generation and keeps the partial text - Loading indicator with a counter when a cold model has to be read from disk - Chat list with automatic titles, search and pinning - Split-view layout on iPad ALSO WORKS WITH OPENAI-COMPATIBLE SERVERS Anything serving /v1/chat/completions on a machine you run — LM Studio, llama.cpp, vLLM, or Ollama's own compatibility endpoint. Same chat, same streaming, same cancelling. ONE-TIME UNLOCK, $5.99 No subscription and no second tier. The unlock adds: - Several servers with quick switching - Named presets for system prompt and parameters - Attachments: text, Markdown, code and PDF files are extracted as text - Export a chat as Markdown PRIVACY No account, no sign-up, no telemetry, no analytics, no crash reporting. Chats and server addresses stay on the device, API keys go into the Keychain. A network capture shows nothing but the server you entered yourself. WHAT YOU NEED An Ollama server (or an OpenAI-compatible one) that your iPhone can reach — same network, or through a mesh VPN you already use. There is a demo mode if you want to look around first. Chat for Ollama is an independent app. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to the Ollama project.

Screenshots

Chat API4 screens
Chat for Ollama4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Chat for Ollama at none against Chat API's shown. Chat API's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 17.0). On price, in-app purchases 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. Chat API sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Chat for Ollama sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chat API ships an update weekly, Chat for Ollama every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Chat API versus Chat for Ollama: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChat APIChat for Ollama
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (5 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings5 — better—
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS14.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size78 MB7 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperAndres Nunez SotoTimothy Krechel

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Chat API

Subscriptions3
  • Unlimited Access (Monthly)7 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Unlimited Access (Yearly)$19.991 Year
  • Pro Supporter Yearly$49.991 Year
1 purchases

Chat for Ollama

One-time1
  • Full Unlock$5.99

Questions

Is Chat API free?
Chat API is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Chat for Ollama free?
Chat for Ollama is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Chat API or Chat for Ollama have ads?
Chat API shows ads; Chat for Ollama does not.
Which is updated more often, Chat API or Chat for Ollama?
Chat API ships an update weekly, and Chat for Ollama every 2 months. Most recently, Chat API was updated on November 8, 2026 and Chat for Ollama on November 10, 2026.

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