Comparison

CLI Pulse vs Model Usage

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

Head to head
About

CLI Pulse

Features
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CLI Pulse keeps track of your AI coding tools: how much of each quota you have used, when it resets and what your usage is costing you. It works with Claude, Codex, Gemini, Cursor, Copilot, OpenRouter, Ollama and dozens of other providers, on your Mac and on your iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. On your Mac - Your providers' quotas and reset times, one click away in the menu bar - Pace: whether your quota will last until it resets, or when it will run out - Estimated cost from your Claude Code and Codex logs, calculated on your Mac - Usage history for each provider, an activity heatmap and a cost forecast - Active and recent sessions by project, with usage and estimated cost - Alerts when a quota crosses a threshold you choose and, when you are signed in, when your daily cost suddenly jumps - Cost reports you can export as CSV or PDF - Pulse Cat, an optional desktop cat whose vitals follow your real AI usage - No account needed: in local mode your usage stays on this Mac On iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch - The same quotas, costs, sessions and alerts, synced from your Mac - Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets (Pro) - Siri and Shortcuts: ask for today's status or for one provider's remaining quota - Apple Watch: quota rings, alerts and sessions on your wrist The iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch apps show what CLI Pulse collects on your Mac. Install it on your Mac and sign in with the same account on each device. Try Demo shows the app with sample data before you connect a Mac. Privacy - Your provider API keys and the contents of your session logs never leave your Mac - When you sign in, usage figures sync to your CLI Pulse account over an encrypted connection - No ads and no third-party analytics SDKs Free and Pro CLI Pulse is free for up to three providers. CLI Pulse Pro adds unlimited providers and the Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets. Subscription information CLI Pulse Pro is available as an auto-renewing subscription. Available plans, pricing, and billing periods are shown in the App Store and in the app at the time of purchase. Payment will be charged to your Apple Account at the confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel your subscriptions by going to your account settings on the App Store after purchase. Terms of Use: https://cli-pulse.github.io/cli-pulse/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://cli-pulse.github.io/cli-pulse/privacy.html

About

Model Usage

Features
Read full description

Model Usage is a real time dashboard for your AI coding tool usage. See how much of your five hour window and weekly quota you have used, watch your session tick up live, and get notified before you hit a limit. HOW IT WORKS A small client runs on your computer and reads the usage files that your AI coding tools already write locally. It forwards that usage to a server address you control. The apps pair with that server over a QR code or short pair code. No account, no email, no login. LIVE WHERE YOU ALREADY LOOK - Live Activity: a glanceable card with your current session and weekly usage, visible on the lock screen and Dynamic Island. - Home Screen widgets: compact and expanded sizes that show your session, weekly totals, and rate multipliers at a glance. - Lock Screen widgets: a tiny usage indicator right next to the clock. PAIRS WITH THE REST OF YOUR DEVICES Once you are paired on one device, the same setup flows to every companion app automatically. Send a snapshot to anyone in a conversation with the Model Usage messaging app. PRIVACY BY DESIGN No analytics. No tracking. No accounts. No advertising SDKs. Your usage data goes from your computer to a server you choose, and then to your own devices. Model Usage never sees it. FEATURES - AI coding tool usage tracking, side by side - Five hour session window and weekly window - Live Activity with Dynamic Island integration - Companion apps across every size of screen - Messaging app for sharing usage snapshots - Lock Screen and Home Screen widgets in all sizes - Live rate multiplier awareness. Rate changes are reflected in real time. - Open pair code or QR flow. No account required. - Dark mode throughout SETUP IN UNDER A MINUTE 1. Install the desktop client. 2. Copy the pair code. 3. Enter it in the app. That is it. The setup guide lives at modelusage.app/setup. Model Usage is built by a solo developer and does not collect, store, or share any personal data. See modelusage.app/privacy for details.

Screenshots

CLI Pulse4 screens
Model Usage3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Model Usage at none against CLI Pulse's 4. Model Usage also leads on device support (6 vs 4). On price, update cadence, ads and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. CLI Pulse sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Model Usage asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CLI Pulse ships an update every 4 days, Model Usage every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences ยท 4 level
CLI Pulse versus Model Usage: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCLI PulseModel Usage
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 4 daysEvery 3 days โ€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo โ€” better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch, Vision Pro โ€” better
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details โ€” not scored
Size52 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperYuhe YeRayan Khan

In-app purchases

4 purchases

CLI Pulse

Subscriptions4
  • CLI Pulse Pro Monthly$0.991 Month
  • CLI Pulse Team Monthly$1.991 Month
  • CLI Pulse Pro Yearly$12.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • CLI Pulse Team Yearly$24.991 Year
None

Model Usage

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is CLI Pulse free?
CLI Pulse is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Model Usage free?
Model Usage is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do CLI Pulse or Model Usage have ads?
Neither CLI Pulse nor Model Usage shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CLI Pulse or Model Usage?
CLI Pulse ships an update every 4 days, and Model Usage every 3 days. Most recently, CLI Pulse was updated on October 10, 2026 and Model Usage on October 3, 2026.

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