# Lookinglass vs ARKA AI

The clearest difference is update cadence: ARKA AI at every 4 days against Lookinglass's every 2 weeks. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Lookinglass sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and ARKA AI sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Lookinglass ships an update every 2 weeks, ARKA AI every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Lookinglass | ARKA AI |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lookinglass/id6751123527/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **2** | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 9 MB | 3 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **17.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 12+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Cory Hamilton](https://appshunter.io/developer/1794022053) | [ARKA Systems LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1873596855) |

## What reviewers say

### Lookinglass

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lookinglass/id6751123527)

Access 30 OpenAI models with transparent pricing and robust privacy controls. Enjoy a pay-as-you-go wallet system, local data encryption, and iCloud sync for seamless cross-device use. Customize AI behavior and export conversations in various formats.

**Highlights:** Access 30 OpenAI models, Transparent cost estimates per message, Pay-as-you-go wallet system, Local data encryption, Optional iCloud sync, Export conversations (text, markdown, JSON), Customizable AI personality and memory

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| $1 Credit Top-Up | $1.00 | one-time |
| $2 Credit Top-Up | $2.00 | one-time |
| $3 Credit Top-Up | $3.00 | one-time |
| $5 Credit Top-Up | $5.00 | one-time |
| $10 Credit Top-Up | $10.00 | one-time |
| $20 Credit Top-Up | $20.00 | one-time |
| $50 Credit Top-Up | $50.00 | one-time |
| $100 Credit Top-Up | $100.00 | one-time |
| $200 Credit Top-Up | $200.00 | one-time |
| $500 Credit Top-Up | $500.00 | one-time |


### ARKA AI

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arka-ai/id6758553985)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Plus Monthly | $14.99 | per month |
| Pro Monthly | $29.99 | per month |
| Plus Annual | $99.99 | per year |
| Pro Annual | $199.99 | per year |
| 200 Credits Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| 600 Credits Pack | $12.99 | one-time |
| 2000 Credits Pack | $34.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Lookinglass free?

Lookinglass is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is ARKA AI free?

ARKA AI is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Lookinglass or ARKA AI have ads?

Neither Lookinglass nor ARKA AI shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Lookinglass or ARKA AI?

Lookinglass ships an update every 2 weeks, and ARKA AI every 4 days. Most recently, Lookinglass was updated on October 2, 2026 and ARKA AI on September 27, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*