OpenClient vs Joey MCP Client Lite
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
OpenClient
Connect to your self-hosted AI models for private conversations without subscriptions. Supports multimodal input, real-time streaming, and extensive model compatibility. Offers robust conversation management and personalization features.
- Connect to self-hosted LLMs
- Real-time streaming responses
- Multimodal input (photos, PDFs)
- Conversation history and branching
- Prompt templates and memory
- iCloud sync
- Export conversations to JSON
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OpenClient is an independent AI chat client for professionals and developers who run their own LLM infrastructure. Connect it to your self-hosted server and chat with your models, without mandatory subscriptions. Compatible with LiteLLM, Ollama, and OpenAI-compatible servers. Supports many popular model families, including GPT, Claude, Llama, Gemini, Mistral, and more. Chat • Real-time streaming responses with Markdown and code block rendering • Collapsible Thinking section for supported reasoning models • Attach photos, camera captures, and PDF documents for multimodal conversations • Drag and drop text, images, and files from other apps (Split View, Stage Manager, Finder on macOS) • Dictate messages with Speech-to-Text and listen with Text-to-Speech • Web search through the search provider configured on your server • Tool-calling support for models that provide function calling • MCP (Model Context Protocol) tools, browse, enable, and use external tools from MCP servers like GitHub, databases, and more, configured on your LiteLLM server • Favourite messages to bookmark and revisit quickly • Per-conversation system prompt and model parameters (temperature, max tokens, top-p) Conversations • Full conversation history with search, pins, and tags • Branch from any message to explore alternatives, then edit and regenerate • Media & Files gallery to browse all attached images and documents • Share content from any app directly into a new conversation via Share Sheet • Apple Shortcuts integration: New Chat, Search Chats, Send File to Chat • Home Screen widgets: New Chat, Search, Quick Actions, Conversations Overview • Control Center button: start a new chat from Control Center • iCloud sync across your Apple devices • Export conversations to JSON • Token usage per message and estimated conversation cost Models • Browse available models with capability badges (vision, tools, JSON mode) • Model detail sheet with context window, pricing, provider, and capabilities • Voice selector for Text-to-Speech models • Switch models per conversation Personalization • Prompt template library for recurring workflows • User profile to provide name and context • Memory to save facts and preferences, synced via iCloud On macOS • Menu bar companion for quick access without opening the main window Privacy • OpenClient does not operate a backend service for your chats. Your requests are sent to the server you configure. • OpenClient does not include advertising SDKs or third-party analytics trackers. This project is licensed under the GNU Affero General Public License v3.0: https://github.com/ArtCC/openclient-llm Privacy Policy: https://arturocarreterocalvo.com/openclient-llm/privacy Terms of Use: https://arturocarreterocalvo.com/openclient-llm/terms OpenClient is an independent client and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the model or platform providers referenced above.
Joey MCP Client Lite
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Joey MCP Client Lite is an open-source AI chat app that lets you connect to any AI model and extend it with powerful tools and services — both remote and right on your device. Chat with any AI model Bring your own AI in whichever way suits you: ▶ OpenRouter — access hundreds of leading models including GPT, Claude, Gemini, Deepseek and more. Connect via OAuth with configurable spending limits, so you stay in control — no surprise bills. ▶ Any OpenAI-compatible endpoint — point Joey at your own base URL and API key to use OpenAI directly, a self-hosted model, Ollama, or any compatible provider. Connect your tools and services Joey supports the Model Context Protocol (MCP), an open standard that lets AI models interact with external tools and services. Connect to remote MCP servers over HTTP, giving your conversations access to services like Google Drive, Slack, email, calendars, CRMs, and more. On-device tools Give the AI safe, built-in access to your device — no server required. Ask it to check the time anywhere, get your location, look up contacts, draft a message or email, start a call, or search and create calendar events and reminders. Actions that leave the app (like sending a message or placing a call) always require a tap from you. Image support Send images to vision-capable models directly from your camera, gallery, or clipboard. Great for asking questions about screenshots, documents, and photos. Advanced MCP features Joey goes beyond basic tool calling: ▶ Sampling — MCP servers can request additional LLM completions, enabling complex multi-step AI workflows ▶ Elicitation — MCP servers can present interactive forms to gather input from you mid-conversation Lite vs Premium Joey MCP Client Lite includes core functionality, with an optional one-time in-app purchase to unlock everything. Included in Lite: ▶ Chat with any model via OpenRouter or your own OpenAI-compatible endpoint ▶ One active conversation ▶ One MCP server ▶ Image support, sampling, and elicitation Joey Premium (one-time purchase — yours forever) unlocks: ▶ Unlimited conversation history — keep every chat instead of just the current one ▶ Unlimited MCP servers — connect as many as you like ▶ On-device tools — time, location, contacts, messaging, calls, email, calendar, and reminders Open source Joey is fully open source. Everything is unlocked when you build it yourself. Browse the code, report issues, or contribute on GitHub: https://github.com/benkaiser/joey-mcp-client-flutter
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Joey MCP Client Lite at 13.0 against OpenClient's 26.6. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. OpenClient sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Joey MCP Client Lite sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
| Parameter | OpenClient | Joey MCP Client Lite |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (8 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 8 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 4 days | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 26.6 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 244 MB | 37 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Arturo Carretero Calvo | Benjamin Kaiser |
In-app purchases
OpenClient
- Monthly Support$2.991 Month
- Annual Support$8.991 Year
- Small Coffee$2.99
- Medium Coffee$3.99
- Big Coffee$8.99
Joey MCP Client Lite
- Premium$4.99









