Comparison

Spike Studio vs Catalyst

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

Head to head
About

Spike Studio

Run powerful AI models locally on your device without cloud dependence. Enjoy private, fast responses and full control over your AI experience. Ideal for developers and AI enthusiasts seeking unlimited model usage and zero tracking.

Highlights
  • Run AI models locally
  • No cloud dependence
  • Private data processing
  • Zero cloud costs
  • Unlimited model usage
  • Instant responses
Features
Read full description

Meet Spike Studio: AI chat on your iPhone, with a choice of where your model runs. GET STARTED WITH SPIKE CLOUD Create a free account in the app, verify your email, and start chatting. You do not need a computer or your own server. Free usage limits apply. This version offers no in-app subscriptions or purchases. USE YOUR OWN MODELS Connect an OpenAI-compatible server, including LM Studio, or download an on-device model on a supported iPhone. These options do not require a Spike account. Model downloads need available storage, and on-device performance depends on your iPhone and the selected model. CONNECT YOUR COMPUTER Use an account-linked Runtime from Spike Studio on your computer, and follow Agent work from your iPhone. Computer and Runtime setup are required for these optional features. KEEP YOUR CONVERSATIONS TOGETHER Sign in with the same Spike account across devices to sync encrypted conversations. Organize chats in projects and choose tools for the task at hand. Tools that use iPhone features request the relevant permissions. Cloud chats are processed by Spike Cloud; on-device models run on your iPhone; a connected server processes the chats you send to it. Choose the option that fits your needs.

About

Catalyst

Access multiple leading AI models in one app, compare their responses, and generate images or videos. It also supports Python code execution and web searches with sources. Bring your own API keys for flexibility and control over your data.

Highlights
  • Access multiple AI models
  • Compare AI model responses
  • Generate images and video clips
  • Secure Python sandbox
  • Web search with sources
  • Attach files and photos
  • Persistent conversation memory
Features
Read full description

Catalyst puts today's best AI models in one place — and lets you switch between them with a tap. Chat with models from Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and more in a single conversation, and bring your own API keys so you're never locked in. WHAT YOU CAN DO • Chat with multiple AI models — pick the right one for each question, or compare answers side by side • Generate images from a prompt, and create or animate short video clips • Run Python in a secure sandbox for calculations, data analysis, and charts • Search the web for current information, with sources • Attach photos and files and ask about them • Give the assistant a memory that carries useful context across conversations BRING YOUR OWN MODELS Catalyst is model-agnostic. Connect your own provider keys — Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, or any OpenAI-compatible endpoint — and use the models you choose at the provider's own rates. A better, cheaper model ships every few weeks; point Catalyst at whatever's best today. YOUR DATA, YOUR CONTROL Your conversations sync securely so your history follows you across devices. Export everything you've created at any time, and delete individual chats — or your whole account — from inside the app. Catalyst on iPhone and iPad is the companion to the full workspace at catalyst.voov.ai, where you can also build workflows, mini apps, and connect data sources. Sign in with Apple, Google, or email.

Screenshots

Spike Studio4 screens
Catalyst4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Catalyst at 5.0 against Spike Studio's 3.1. Spike Studio's advantage is ratings volume (11 vs 1). On price, update cadence, 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Catalyst holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Spike Studio has 11 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Spike Studio ships an update every 8 days, Catalyst every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Spike Studio versus Catalyst: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSpike StudioCatalyst
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.1 (11 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews71.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings11 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 8 days — betterEvery 9 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size118 MB31 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperJan StellmannObjectGraph LLC

Customer experience

Spike Studio

All ratings11 ratings
Positive54.5%
Neutral9.1%
Negative36.4%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive71.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative28.6%

Catalyst

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Spike Studio

No in-app purchases

None

Catalyst

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Spike Studio free?
Spike Studio is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Catalyst free?
Catalyst is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Spike Studio or Catalyst?
Catalyst is rated higher. Spike Studio averages 3.1 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while Catalyst averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Spike Studio or Catalyst have ads?
Neither Spike Studio nor Catalyst shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Spike Studio or Catalyst?
Spike Studio ships an update every 8 days, and Catalyst every 9 days. Most recently, Spike Studio was updated on October 6, 2026 and Catalyst on October 8, 2026.

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