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AI · alternatives · 2026

MW

24 alternatives to macOS/Windows AI app that sees, performs actions, and suggests files

Hey Hacker News, my name is Vlad: https://twitter.com/Fortune_VY We’ve been working on IDEs AI assistants for a few years https://www.machinet.net/. Yeah, years :) before chatGPT came along. We have learned a lot about AI models, and how the autoregressive nature coupled with the inability to switch an abstraction level throws a wrench in the works of a possible truly autonomous AI assistant, even OpenAI has featured us on their blog. The more we tinkered with the assistant problem for IDEs, the more we realized the gap between our dream assistant and chatGPT is…

Mate is a macOS and Windows application that uses AI to see what's on screen, perform actions, and suggest relevant files. Built by developers who previously created AI assistants for integrated development… Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. macOS/Windows AI app that sees, performs actions, and suggests files launched in 2023; newer entries below may have overtaken it.

  1. 1

    Native ChatGPT for MacOS

    2024 · thinkbuddy.ai · its alternatives →

  2. 2

    Chat with AI using your API keys. Pay only for what you use. ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and other LLMs supported. The best chat LLM frontend UI for all AI models.

    2023 · typingmind.com · its alternatives →

  3. 3

    The magic of AI, right on your Mac

    2023 · raycast.com · its alternatives →

  4. 4

    A simple Go package for unified AI chat management across OpenRouter, OpenAI, Google GenAI, and more, with support for tool calling and S3-compatible user sessions

    2023 · aichat.fm · its alternatives →

  5. 5

    ChatGPT for your video library, with unlimited video context

    2025 · memories.ai · its alternatives →

  6. 6
    Baron AI▲330

    Use ChatGPT in any app, natively on Windows, Mac and Linux

    2023 · its alternatives →

  7. 7

    A smarter ChatGPT to help you get more done

    2023 · its alternatives →

  8. 8
    2-b.ai▲416

    Todoist meets ChatGPT inside your browser

    Jan 2026 · 2-b.ai · its alternatives →

  9. 9
    Simular▲293

    AI agent that browses the Internet "with" you on your Mac

    2025 · simular.ai · its alternatives →

  10. 10
    WriteMage▲127

    The only AI app you need, use ChatGPT natively in any app

    2023 · writemage.com · its alternatives →

  11. 11

    AI that actually controls your Windows/Mac desktop - clicks, types, automates workflows across any application. Native OS integration, not cloud APIs. Built this because I was tired of AI that could only chat. Free tier (Gemini) + paid tier (Claude) for reliable automation. The AI can automate complex workflows, manage files/emails, control browsers and native apps. Just launched 2 weeks ago. What workflows would you want automated?

    2025 · aioscompanion.com · its alternatives →

  12. 12

    ChatGPT for the desktop

    2023 · halist.ai · its alternatives →

  13. 13
    WorkGPT▲241

    AI Agent Chatbot-based Virtual Assistant

    2023 · workgpt.us · its alternatives →

  14. 14
    THEO▲310

    Making AI truly understand your unique business nuances

    2024 · theogrowth.com · its alternatives →

  15. 15

    Hey HN, I built Friendware because I wanted autocomplete that works everywhere on my Mac, not just in code editors. In any text field it can draft replies, rewrite text, and write prompts for AI tools; it uses on-screen context to adjust based on what you’re doing. My goal was making it feel native and not require workflow changes, so it stays accessible across apps by living in the notch. Currently working on better voice learning and a memory system, would love feedback on what to prioritize!

    Jan 2026 · friendware.ai · its alternatives →

  16. 16

    AI copilot for all apps, use ChatGPT without copy-pasting

    2023 · ai-anywhere.com · its alternatives →

  17. 17
    Bito AI▲184

    Use ChatGPT and OpenAI in your IDE/CLI to save 2 hours a day

    2023 · bito.ai · its alternatives →

  18. 18

    The Al assistant from Microsoft

    2025 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

  19. 19
    ai-o▲92

    Browse the web and chat with AI, side by side

    2024 · ai-o-app.vercel.app · its alternatives →

  20. 20

    ChatGPT in all input fields

    2023 · ai-buddy.co · its alternatives →

  21. 21

    ChatGPT for Word/PowerPoint/Teams & Outlook

    2023 · perfectassistant.ai · its alternatives →

  22. 22
    Pizi▲131

    Your multi-file AI assistant powered by ChatGPT4

    2024 · pizi.ai · its alternatives →

  23. 23AC

    Hi HN! We just shipped a full-featured TUI (Text User Interface) for chatting with your Marvin bots, powered by GPT 4 or GPT-3.5. Like all of Marvin, it's fully open-source and we hope you find it useful. To launch it, upgrade and run `marvin chat`. The TUI is built with Textual (https://github.com/textualize/textual/) and uses some of its newest features including background workers and modals. We've made base TUIs before but this is the first one that's a true "app" with many screens and coordinated global state. Happy to answer any questions about working with…

    2023 · askmarvin.ai · its alternatives →

  24. 24DA

    Write a task in plain English. An AI agent runs it on a simulator on your Mac and tells you if a real user could complete it. Save the successful run as a regression check you can replay later.

    Aug 2026 · app.deltix.ai · its alternatives →

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Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →