LLM Pigeon vs Helper One
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
LLM Pigeon
This app provides a private AI chatbot experience by running large language models locally on your Mac. Messages are stored in your iCloud, ensuring your data never leaves your devices. Choose from built-in models or integrate your own.
- 100% privacy, no data sent to cloud
- Local large language model execution
- iCloud sync between iPhone and Mac
- Choice of built-in or custom LLM models
- Optional web search integration
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Put a full-featured AI assistant in your pocket—without sending a single word to any outside cloud. LLM Pigeon works together with LLM Pigeon Server on your Mac. • Type a message on your iPhone. • The text is stored inside your private iCloud files. • Your Mac picks it up, runs the large-language model locally, writes the reply, and CloudKit delivers the answer back to the phone. Why you’ll love it • 100 % privacy: messages never leave your own iCloud container; no analytics, no ads, no accounts. You can optionally add a search-engine API. • Real LLMs: choose from a set of built-in models or point the server at LM Studio or Ollama to swap in any model you prefer. How it works 1. Install LLM Pigeon Server (free) on a Mac that’s signed in with the same iCloud account. 2. Download the models you want and, if you’d like web search, enter a Serper API key. 3. Start a new chat in the iOS app. 4. Receive answers in seconds, even on hotel Wi-Fi. Zero data collection • No personal information • No usage analytics • No crash logs—everything stays on your devices • If you enable web search, only the queries your LLM generates are sent to Serper. Requirements • iPhone running iOS 17 or later • Mac running macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later with LLM Pigeon Server installed • iCloud Drive enabled on both devices
Helper One
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Meet your personal AI assistant — one that actually looks at you and speaks to you. HelperOne gives you a real-time AI companion with a lifelike avatar. Ask questions, get help with tasks, or set up a specialised coach that calls your phone throughout the day to keep you on track. TALK, DON'T TYPE Speak naturally to your assistant. She listens, thinks, and responds with natural speech and facial expressions — not just text on a screen. CHOOSE YOUR ROLE Set up a Movement Coach who calls you for exercise breaks, a Nutrition Coach who tracks your meals from food photos, a Wellbeing Coach for daily check-ins, a Job Search Coach who finds listings every morning, or a General Assistant for anything else. SHE CALLS YOU Your assistant doesn't wait for you to open the app. She rings your phone at the times you agree on, with personalised reminders, check-ins, and encouragement. REAL-TIME VIDEO AVATAR Your assistant has realistic facial expressions, lip-sync, and natural body language — streamed live to your device. REMEMBERS EVERYTHING Your assistant writes her own memory after every conversation. She remembers your preferences, your schedule, your goals, and your progress — getting better the more you use her. SEARCHES THE WEB Need real-time information? Your assistant searches the web, analyses results, and gives you clear, concise answers with sources. YOUR KEYS, YOUR CHOICE Use the included AI model or bring your own API key from OpenAI, Anthropic, or OpenRouter. Full control over which model powers your assistant. Start with a free 3-day trial — no subscription required. — Subscriptions auto-renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel subscriptions anytime in your Apple ID settings. Privacy Policy: https://helperone.ai/privacy Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: LLM Pigeon at none against Helper One's 4. On price, update cadence, 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
Both are free to download. Helper One sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $17.99 per month. LLM Pigeon asks for nothing beyond the download.
LLM Pigeon ships an update weekly, Helper One every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | LLM Pigeon | Helper One |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.8 (4 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 4 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Every 9 days |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 7 MB | 91 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Perma Evidence SA | Peter Dove |
In-app purchases
LLM Pigeon
No in-app purchases
Helper One
- Bring Your Own Key$17.991 Month
- Pro$29.991 Month
- Pro "Max 5x"$59.991 Month
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- Pro "Max 20x"$124.991 Month









