Comparison

Pi Companion vs zcode connect

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

Head to head
About

Pi Companion

Features
Read full description

Pi Companion is an unofficial iOS companion app for the Pi coding agent (pi.dev) โ€” browse your projects, read full chat history, and keep talking to your agents while away from your Mac. Start a task in your terminal, go for a walk, keep directing the agent from your phone, and come back to continue on the desktop โ€” same session, no restarts. HOW IT WORKS A small open-source companion server runs on your Mac. It reads Pi's session files and drives Pi over its documented RPC protocol. The app connects directly to your Mac over your own network โ€” no cloud, no accounts, no analytics. Use tools like Tailscale to reach your Mac from anywhere. FEATURES โ€ข Projects and workspaces: the folders you choose, grouped by git repo, with branches and live status โ€ข Full chat history: messages, thinking blocks, tool calls, and images โ€ข Send messages: continue any session from your phone; the terminal picks up exactly where you left off โ€ข New sessions and git worktrees, started from your phone โ€ข Model picker: Pi's full catalog across 15+ providers, switchable mid-session โ€ข Diffs: review each workspace's changes on your phone REQUIREMENTS A Mac running Pi (pi.dev), Bun, and the free companion server (link on the support page). This app is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Pi project.

About

zcode connect

Features
Read full description

Keep your desktop development tasks within reach on iPhone and iPad. zcode connect is an independently developed companion for the ZCode desktop application. It is not an official ZCode app. A compatible desktop installation running on your own computer is required. The current app interface is primarily in Simplified Chinese. FOLLOW YOUR WORK Browse workspaces and tasks. Read conversations, tool activity, and file changes. CONTINUE A CONVERSATION Send follow-up messages, create tasks, and respond to supported approval requests. Models and service accounts are configured on your computer; any associated charges are handled by those services. CHOOSE HOW TO CONNECT Use ZCode's built-in connection service and follow the in-app instructions to scan or paste your computer's connection link. No self-hosted relay server is required for this route. For your own server, export the included developer kit and adapt it to your environment with your AI agent. TRY THE INTERFACE An offline demo is available before pairing. Its sample data does not connect to your computer. REQUIREMENTS AND LIMITS Requires iOS 26 or iPadOS 26 or later. Your computer must stay awake, online, and running compatible desktop software. Available features depend on its version and configuration. Completion alerts require timely receipt of task events and are not guaranteed when the app is suspended or closed. No advertising or cross-app tracking.

Screenshots

Pi Companion4 screens
zcode connect4 screens

Verdict

The call

Pi Companion and zcode connect are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters โ€” price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them โ€” neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Pi Companion versus zcode connect: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPi Companionzcode connect
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyโ€”Daily
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad โ€” better
Requires iOS26.026.0
Further details โ€” not scored
Size2 MB7 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperMRL TECHNOLOGY LIMITEDFoshan Zifuhuan Technology Co., Ltd.

In-app purchases

None

Pi Companion

No in-app purchases

None

zcode connect

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Pi Companion free?
Pi Companion is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is zcode connect free?
zcode connect is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Pi Companion or zcode connect have ads?
Neither Pi Companion nor zcode connect shows ads.

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