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AI · alternatives · 2026

24 alternatives to Port42 – AI companions that build and act on your Mac (v0.5.0)

Port42 is a native Mac app built by the collaboration it enables. One human and many AI companions, thinking together, shipped 40+ releases in 9 days. Companions live alongside you in conversations. They don't just respond. They build interactive surfaces and act on your system through a single API. Ports are how companions interact with your machine. One API, two surfaces: The visual surface renders live HTML/CSS/JS apps that companions create mid-conversation. They render inline, pop out into floating windows, dock, resize, persist across sessions. A companion can build you a…

Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. Prices are shown for the 1 we have checked on their own sites, 1 of them free or with a free tier.

  1. 1
    Den▲948

    Multiplayer AI agent builder

    2025 · getden.io · its alternatives →

  2. 2

    AI companions with memory: a lightweight stack to create and host your own AI companions - a16z-infra/companion-app

    2023 · github.com · its alternatives →

  3. 3
    Beam.winfree tier, from $7/mo▲379

    Run AI agents on one Mac and use its windows on another

    5d ago · beam.win · its alternatives →

  4. 4
    Sidekick▲480

    Build Zapier-style automations using only a chat interface

    2025 · sagekit.com · its alternatives →

  5. 5

    Hi HN community! We want to share AI-town, a deployable starter kit for building and customizing your own version of AI simulation - a virtual town where AI characters live, chat and socialize. Inspired by great work from the Stanford Generative Agent paper (https://arxiv.org/abs/2304.03442). A few features: - Includes a convex.dev backed server-side game engine that handles global state - Multiplayer ready. Deployment ready - 100% Typescript - Easily customizable. You can fork it, change character memories, add new sprites/tiles and you have a custom AI simulation…

    2023 · github.com · its alternatives →

  6. 6
    Clones▲356

    Chat, learn, and grow with AI companions

    2024 · meetclones.com · its alternatives →

  7. 7
    Phantom▲114

    Voice-first AI agent that operates your Mac

    Jul 2026 · heyphantom.app · its alternatives →

  8. 8
    jebi▲140

    A supercharged terminal for Mac with built-in local AI

    Jun 2026 · jebi.sh · its alternatives →

  9. 9

    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 →

  10. 10
    Keel▲124

    An AI assistant whose memory belongs to you

    May 2026 · keel-labs.org · its alternatives →

  11. 11
    Clicky▲144

    AI buddy next to your cursor on Mac—sees, guides, helps you!

    Apr 2026 · github.com · its alternatives →

  12. 12

    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 →

  13. 13
    Viberia▲146

    Hey HN, This is my take on the agent harness. Everything on an isometric map. Agents are grouped into "buildings" that run in a sequence or a loop; e.g., the CodeForge has an agent that writes a PRD, another one that implements, and a third that reviews. Everything is customizable, you build your own buildings/teams however you want. It's a Tauri app, really light (about 8x less energy than the closest competitor I benchmarked, so it actually runs from a coffee shop on battery). It's macOS only for now, but ping me if you are willing to test the Windows or Linux version. I've been…

    May 2026 · getviberia.com · its alternatives →

  14. 14

    Making the community's best AI chat models available to everyone. - huggingface/chat-macOS

    2024 · github.com · its alternatives →

  15. 15
    Radiant▲91

    AI assistant for meetings that gets the work done

    Nov 2025 · supernormal.com · its alternatives →

  16. 16

    AI-powered tool to boost your app's visibility and downloads

    2025 · dock-app.com · its alternatives →

  17. 17

    Your ambient AI companion for Windows.

    Aug 2026 · projectsky-ten.vercel.app · its alternatives →

  18. 18

    An AI port manager for your Mac.

    Aug 2026 · portradar.devmesh.xyz · its alternatives →

  19. 19

    Interact with AI companions modeled after influencers

    2023 · forevervoices.com · its alternatives →

  20. 20
    Pal▲113

    AI therapist and friend, organizing emotional well-being

    2023 · myfriendpal.com · its alternatives →

  21. 21
    Clide ▲93

    Grid-layout terminal with an AI that drives your shells.

    Apr 2026 · clide.app · its alternatives →

  22. 22

    Connect your Mac's Mail, Calendar, and more to AI

    Apr 2026 · claunnector.com · its alternatives →

  23. 23

    Smart, caring companions that literally live on your screen

    Dec 2025 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

  24. 24
    Side▲69

    A little AI chat panel that lives beside your Mac's Dock

    18d ago · side.qyinm.xyz · 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 →