Comparison

MLX Studio vs Flow

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

Head to head
About

MLX Studio

Experience private AI chat on your Apple devices with this app. It runs entirely on-device, offering 100% privacy and offline functionality. Choose from pre-configured models or import your own, with smart memory and RAM management for efficient conversations.

Highlights
  • 100% Private On-Device Processing
  • Supports 15+ Pre-configured MLX Models
  • Import Custom Models from HuggingFace
  • Vision Understanding (Mac)
  • Image Generation (Mac)
  • Smart Memory and RAM Management
  • Offline Functionality
Read full description

MLX Studio brings powerful AI chat to your Apple devices, running entirely on-device for complete privacy. No data ever leaves your device. Choose from 15+ pre-configured MLX models or import any compatible model from HuggingFace. Store models on external drives to save space. APPLE INTELLIGENCE (iOS 26+ / macOS 26+) Powered by Apple Foundation Models - Apple's on-device AI framework. - Built-in AI: Use Apple Intelligence with no download required - Instant access: Start chatting immediately without waiting for model downloads - Seamless switching: Easily switch between Apple Intelligence and custom MLX models - 4K context support for quick conversations KEY FEATURES - 100% Private: All AI processing happens locally on your device - Multiple AI Models: Choose from curated state-of-the-art language models optimized for Apple Silicon - Vision Understanding (Mac): Analyze images with Vision Language Models - Image Generation (Mac): Create images using Stable Diffusion and FLUX models - Smart Memory: AI remembers important conversation details - Smart RAM Management: Models automatically unload when idle - Works Offline: Use anywhere without internet once downloaded - Native Experience: Built with SwiftUI for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS SUPPORTED DEVICES & MODELS INCLUDED iPhone, iPad, Mac (16GB+ RAM recommended for Mac). Includes Qwen3, Llama 3.2, Gemma 2, vision models, and FLUX/Stable Diffusion. No subscriptions, accounts, or cloud required.

About

Flow

Features
Read full description

Make space for deep focus with a timer that adapts to the way you work. Flow is a calm, flexible focus system for work, study, reading, writing, meditation, and everything in between. Create routines that fit your day, keep the countdown visible across your Apple devices, and turn each completed session into useful progress. FOCUS YOUR WAY - Create custom timers with your own name, icon, color, focus duration, break length, and rounds - Build Pomodoro-style routines for deep work, study sessions, reading, writing, or mindful breaks - Pause, skip, restart, or stop a session whenever your plans change - Choose light or dark appearance to match your space STAY FOCUSED EVERYWHERE - Follow your session from iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch - Keep the timer close with widgets, Dynamic Island, and Live Activities - Choose focus music and control Apple Music playback without leaving the timer SEE YOUR PROGRESS - Earn reward points and build streaks as sessions add up - Compare routines and review focus time, completion patterns, and your most productive hours - Use Focus Coach for practical guidance based on your focus history - Compare Flow focus time with Apple Health mindful-minute summaries REFLECT AND IMPROVE - Record your mood and distractions after a session - Add a short note about what worked or what got in the way - Search your history by routine, note, or date - Return to past sessions to spot patterns and make your next focus block better FLOW PRO only for $0.99 for Lifetime! Unlock Extensions, unlimited Custom Timers, the full History archive, advanced Insights, Focus Coach, Apple Health comparison, and Apple Music controls, Widgets, Live activity, Dynamic Island. Whether you are protecting time for a demanding project, studying for an exam, reading without distraction, or building a steadier daily rhythm, Flow gives you a clear place to begin. Find your flow, one focused session at a time. https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

MLX Studio4 screens
Flow4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: MLX Studio at none against Flow's 3. 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Flow sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. MLX Studio asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MLX Studio ships an update every 3 weeks, Flow every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
MLX Studio versus Flow: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMLX StudioFlow
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS17.0 — better17.2
Further details — not scored
Size23 MB11 MB
Age rating9+4+
DeveloperMelih GurgahNeerav Kothari

In-app purchases

None

MLX Studio

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Flow

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Pro7 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Yearly Pro7 Days trial$14.991 Year
One-time1
  • Weekly Pass$0.99

Questions

Is MLX Studio free?
MLX Studio is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Flow free?
Flow is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do MLX Studio or Flow have ads?
Neither MLX Studio nor Flow shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MLX Studio or Flow?
MLX Studio ships an update every 3 weeks, and Flow every 5 weeks. Most recently, MLX Studio was updated on September 26, 2026 and Flow on October 3, 2026.

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