# Side Search vs SHIKUMI

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Side Search at none against SHIKUMI's 1. Side Search also leads on update cadence (weekly vs fortnightly). SHIKUMI's advantage is iOS requirement (17.0 vs 27.0). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SHIKUMI sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Side Search asks for nothing beyond the download.

Side Search ships an update weekly, SHIKUMI fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Side Search | SHIKUMI |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Fortnightly |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 36 MB | 8 MB |
| Requires iOS | 27.0 | **17.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Cizzuk Shihu](https://appshunter.io/developer/1674098361) | [Koji Takahashi](https://appshunter.io/developer/1879689205) |

## What reviewers say

### Side Search

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/side-search/id6756973793)

Launch your preferred AI assistant or search engine using the Side Button or Action Button. Customize assistants with custom URLs or integrate with Apple Foundation Models, Claude API, or Google Gemini API.

**Highlights:** Launch AI assistants via Side/Action Button, Custom URL-based assistants, Apple Foundation Models integration, Claude API support, Google Gemini API support, Side Bridge for custom endpoints

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### SHIKUMI

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shikumi/id6790088140)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| SHIKUMI Pro | $1.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Side Search free?

Side Search is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is SHIKUMI free?

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

### Do Side Search or SHIKUMI have ads?

Neither Side Search nor SHIKUMI shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Side Search or SHIKUMI?

Side Search ships an update weekly, and SHIKUMI fortnightly. Most recently, Side Search was updated on October 20, 2026 and SHIKUMI on October 28, 2026.

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