Comparison

Open Minis vs iterate Remote

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

Head to head
About

Open Minis

This AI agent runs locally on your device, taking actions like browsing the web, managing your schedule, and controlling smart home devices. It integrates deeply with iOS frameworks and allows you to bring your own API keys from various AI providers. Customize its capabilities with a skills system and enjoy persistent memory for a personalized experience.

Highlights
  • On-device AI agent
  • Multi-model AI provider support
  • Deep iOS framework integration
  • Built-in web browser
  • Customizable skills system
  • Persistent memory
  • Siri Shortcuts integration
Features
Read full description

Minis — Local-First On-Device AI Agent Minis is a local-first, on-device AI agent that goes beyond chat. All your data stays on your iPhone — nothing is uploaded to a server by default. Running locally means lower latency and stronger privacy, while the agent still takes real action: browsing the web, accessing your health data, managing your schedule, controlling your smart home, and automating complex tasks. Local-First AI Agent Unlike cloud-only chatbots, Minis runs directly on your device and keeps your data there. The agent executes multi-step tasks autonomously, using tools and native iOS frameworks to get things done — not just answer questions, and not just relay everything to the cloud. Multi-Model, Your Choice Bring your own API key. Choose from leading AI providers: • Anthropic Claude • OpenAI GPT • Google Gemini • DeepSeek • Kimi (Moonshot AI) • OpenRouter • Any OpenAI-compatible endpoint Deep iOS Integration The agent accesses Apple frameworks natively: • HealthKit — steps, heart rate, sleep, workouts, SpO₂ • Calendar & Reminders — create events, check availability, manage tasks • HomeKit — control lights, switches, scenes, and smart accessories • Photos — search, organize, and export from your library • Location & Maps — current location, directions, nearby POIs • Vision — OCR text recognition, object detection, barcode scanning • Speech — real-time transcription and text-to-speech • Weather — current conditions, hourly and daily forecasts Built-in Web Browser Navigate pages, take screenshots, extract content, fill forms, and interact with websites — all driven by the AI agent in the background. Skills System Import or create custom AI skills to extend the agent's capabilities. Share skills with others or build your own for specialized workflows. Persistent Memory The agent remembers your preferences, project context, and recurring patterns across sessions — building a personalized assistant that improves over time, all stored locally on your device. Siri Shortcuts Automate AI tasks with Siri and the Shortcuts app. Send prompts with file attachments, wait for results, and chain into complex workflows — all hands-free. Privacy by Design Your API keys and data stay on-device. Fine-grained permission controls let you decide exactly which personal data the agent can access. No account required. No data collected.

About

iterate Remote

Features
Read full description

Keep your AI workflows moving when you are away from your Mac. iterate Remote is the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch companion for iterate on macOS. Pair it with your own Mac to receive pending AI requests, check task progress, and send a reply from wherever you are. WHAT YOU CAN DO • Review AI requests that are waiting for your input • Reply with text, images, or predefined choices • Follow active tasks and conversation progress in real time • Use voice input for quick responses • Receive notifications when a task needs attention • Continue from Apple Watch when a short response is enough • Access your connected MCP tools and prompt library • Personalize notification, voice, and workflow settings DESIGNED AROUND YOUR MAC iterate Remote does not replace your AI tools. It extends the iterate desktop experience to your Apple devices. A Mac running iterate is required, and pairing keeps each mobile device linked to the Mac you choose. YOUR WORK, WITHIN REACH Use iterate Remote to check in, make a decision, and keep long-running AI work moving without staying at your desk.

Screenshots

Open Minis4 screens
iterate Remote2 screens

Verdict

The call

Open Minis and iterate Remote are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Open Minis versus iterate Remote: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOpen Minisiterate Remote
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (77 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews97.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings77 — better—
Update frequencyWeeklyWeekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS16.016.0
Further details — not scored
Size133 MB5 MB
Age rating17+4+
Developer森 王梦鑫 杨

In-app purchases

None

Open Minis

No in-app purchases

None

iterate Remote

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Open Minis free?
Open Minis is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is iterate Remote free?
iterate Remote is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Open Minis or iterate Remote have ads?
Neither Open Minis nor iterate Remote shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Open Minis or iterate Remote?
Open Minis ships an update weekly, and iterate Remote weekly. Most recently, Open Minis was updated on October 2, 2026 and iterate Remote on September 15, 2026.

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