Comparison

Chatika vs Plain AI

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

Head to head
About

Chatika

This AI chat client offers extensive customization and privacy for your conversations. It acts as a private browser for AI, allowing you to connect with various AI models using your own API keys without data storage on external servers. Enjoy features like web search, image support, and dynamic prompt adjustments.

Highlights
  • Bring Your Own Key (API)
  • Rich Chat Actions (quote, fork, revert)
  • Web Search integration
  • Image support for AI models
  • Customizable Persona System
  • Dynamic AI parameter settings
  • Thought Process View
Features
Read full description

Chatika is a free AI chat client that gives you complete freedom, flexibility, and privacy in your AI conversations. Think of it as a highly customizable private browser or Lego builder for AI chat — a pure client that facilitates communication with AI providers (cloud or local), without storing anything outside your device. Currently, the app UI supports English and 中文 (Simplified Chinese). AI chats themselves can be carried out in most languages. (More UI language options coming soon!) Key Features: • Bring Your Own Key – Chat with any supported AI model using your own API keys. No subscriptions required. • Rich Chat Actions – Select & quote, fork conversations, revert messages, regenerate replies. • Web Search – Search and chat with real-time information from the internet. • Image Support – Send images to compatible AI models. • Persona System – Built-in personas with the option to create and customize your own. • Custom System Prompts – Inject or modify prompts to shape AI behavior. • Dynamic Settings – Change parameters mid-conversation. • Thought Process View – See how reasoning models think step-by-step (for supported models). Chatika is designed for users who value control, privacy, and customization in their AI interactions. Whether you’re a writer, developer, researcher, or simply curious about AI, Chatika has a mode and persona that fits you. This is an indie project with no monetization plans. Your support and feedback are always welcome!

About

Plain AI

Features
Read full description

Plain AI is a simple, straightforward AI chat app that runs entirely on your device. All conversations are private and processed locally without any internet connection. Key Features • Multiple AI Models: Choose from Llama 3.2 (1B and 3B), Qwen 3.1 1.7B, Gemma 2 2B, or Apple Foundation Models • Complete Privacy: All processing happens on your device - no data is sent to servers • Customizable Parameters: Adjust temperature and top-p settings to control response creativity and diversity • Offline First: Works without internet after initial model download • Clean Interface: Simple, distraction-free chat experience Supported Models • Apple Foundation Models (iOS 26+, no download required) • Llama 3.2 1B (fast and efficient for basic tasks) • Llama 3.2 3B (balanced speed and quality) • Qwen 3.1 1.7B (multilingual support) • Gemma 2 2B (safe and reliable responses) Privacy Your conversations never leave your device. No accounts, no tracking, no data collection. Everything stays private and local. Free Forever Plain AI is completely free with no ads, subscriptions, or in-app purchases. Download a model and start chatting. Requirements • Storage space for downloaded models (approximately 700MB to 2GB per model) • Apple Foundation Models require iOS 26 or later and compatible devices AI responses may occasionally be inaccurate. Please verify important information.

Screenshots

Chatika4 screens
Plain AI4 screens

Verdict

The call

Chatika and Plain AI are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters — price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Chatika versus Plain AI: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChatikaPlain AI
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightly—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS17.117.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB16 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChenxing LiuJarle Hansen

In-app purchases

None

Chatika

No in-app purchases

None

Plain AI

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Chatika free?
Chatika is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Plain AI free?
Plain AI is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Chatika or Plain AI have ads?
Neither Chatika nor Plain AI shows ads.

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