Comparison

Private AI vs LocalAI

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

Head to head
About

Private AI

Features
Read full description

What if you had a true AI assistant on your smartphone that works without Wi-Fi, requires absolutely no account registration, and completely protects all your conversations? "Private AI" makes this a reality. This AI runs directly on your iPhone or iPad, not on a corporate server. No internet connection or sign-up needed. Your data is never sent anywhere; every conversation always stays on your device alone. Your Privacy, Fully Guaranteed Most AI apps send your messages to external servers, but Private AI is different. The AI model lives and thinks directly inside your smartphone. This means your questions, ideas, and conversations belong entirely to you. It is perfect for anyone who values privacyβ€”whether you are brainstorming work ideas, writing a personal journal, or discussing sensitive topics. Full-Fledged AI on Your Phone Private AI runs some of today's most powerful open-source AI models, including Gemma, Qwen, Ministral, and Phi. New models are added regularly, allowing you to always experience the latest advancements in AI. Once you download a model, it is yours to keep. You never need an internet connection to chat. Thinking Mode Turn on Thinking Mode to see the AI's reasoning process before it delivers an answer. It visualizes the AI's thoughts, making it perfect for getting deeper, more structured responses to complex questions. Just Speak β€” Or Just Listen Skip the typing and ask questions with your voice. You can also have the AI read its answers aloud. It is incredibly convenient when your hands are full or when you simply prefer listening. Rich Features for Natural Interactions - Auto-save chat history: Pick up right where you left off. - Edit past messages: Get new answers instantly. - Organize freely: Rename and manage your chats with ease. - Custom AI personalities: Set a unique persona for each conversation. - Save favorite prompts: Quick access whenever you need them. - Adjust AI settings: Fine-tune creativity and focus. How It Differs from Cloud-Based AI Because the AI runs locally on your device, response speeds depend on your phone's hardware performance. While it might not respond instantly like cloud-based AIs, it is completely private. Best of all, its greatest strength is that it works flawlessly even on airplanes or in places with no reception. Privacy Policy & Terms of Service https://pochimutech.com/en/private-ai/terms

About

LocalAI

Features
Read full description

Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ LocalAI is a powerful AI intelligent assistant. Fully offline operation, no network connection required, 100% protects your privacy. Supports voice input, multi-session management, and cross-platform experience.

Screenshots

Private AI4 screens
LocalAI3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: LocalAI at none against Private AI's shown. LocalAI also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

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

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Private AI sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and LocalAI sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Private AI ships an update every 2 months, LocalAI fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 4 level
Private AI versus LocalAI: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPrivate AILocalAI
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsFortnightly β€” better
AdsYesNo β€” better
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac β€” better
Requires iOS17 β€” better18.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size18 MB2.6 GB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAyumu IzumiWeigan Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Private AI

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Plan3 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Yearly Plan$29.991 Year
3 purchases

LocalAI

Subscriptions2
  • Upgrade to Monthly VIP3 Days trial$0.991 Month
  • Upgrade to Yearly VIP3 Days trial$4.991 Year
One-time1
  • Upgrade to Lifetime VIP$9.99

Questions

Is Private AI free?
Private AI is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is LocalAI free?
LocalAI is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Private AI or LocalAI have ads?
Private AI shows ads; LocalAI does not.
Which is updated more often, Private AI or LocalAI?
Private AI ships an update every 2 months, and LocalAI fortnightly. Most recently, Private AI was updated on November 5, 2026 and LocalAI on October 31, 2026.

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