Ghost Core (site) is a personal AI computer that runs entirely on-device, sold as a one-time hardware purchase of $3,499 with no subscription required. That's a high upfront cost, so if you just need an AI agent or assistant on a machine you already own, the software options below do similar jobs for far less — or for free.
Comparison
| Product | Free tier | Starts at | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proto-Mind | Yes | Not stated (free public beta) | Trying a floating Mac AI workspace at no cost |
| shadow-planner | Yes | $4.99 one-time | Gantt-style project planning that runs locally |
| Hark | Yes | $20/mo | A personal assistant with tiered usage limits |
| Naseem | Yes | $49/mo (or one-time, unspecified) | A native Mac agent that does hands-on tasks |
Proto-Mind
Proto-Mind (site) is a floating AI workspace for Mac, currently available as a free public beta. It suits anyone who wants to try an always-available AI panel without paying anything upfront. The site gives no pricing information at all, so there's no stated cost — but also no guarantee the free beta will stay free once it exits beta. Limitation: because no paid plan or long-term pricing is published, you can't yet judge its cost against Ghost Core beyond "currently $0."
shadow-planner
shadow-planner (site) is AI-assisted gantt project planning software that runs locally on your machine, with a free download available and a one-time purchase of €4.99 (about $4.99 USD) for the full version — no subscription. It suits individuals or small teams who want local project planning without recurring fees. Limitation: it's a planning tool, not a general personal assistant, so it won't cover the broader task range Ghost Core or Hark aim for.
Hark
Hark (site) is a personal AI that handles everyday tasks before you have to. It offers a free tier with no ads and full features, plus Hark Pro 2 at $20/month for double usage and Hark Pro 3 at $100/month for ten times the usage. It suits people who want a free starting point with room to scale into heavier use. Limitation: the paid tiers are usage-capped multipliers rather than flat unlimited plans, so cost can climb if you use it heavily.
Naseem
Naseem (site) is a native AI agent that does real work directly on your Mac. It has a free plan with basic features and no account required, plus a Pro plan at $49 — though the site doesn't specify whether that's one-time or subscription pricing. It suits Mac users who want an agent that can bring its own AI model rather than being tied to one provider. Limitation: the ambiguity around whether $49 is recurring or one-time makes it harder to compare directly against Ghost Core's clear one-time price.
How to choose
If budget is the main concern, start with Proto-Mind or shadow-planner's free download, since both cost nothing to try. If you want an assistant that scales with you and don't mind a monthly fee, Hark's free-to-$20/mo-to-$100/mo path gives clear usage tiers. Naseem is worth a look if you specifically want Mac-native task automation, but confirm the $49 pricing terms before paying. Ghost Core remains the only option here that avoids subscriptions entirely by bundling everything into one hardware purchase — the trade-off is the much higher upfront cost.
FAQ
Is there a free alternative to Ghost Core? Yes — Proto-Mind is a free public beta, and Naseem and Hark both offer free tiers.
Which alternative is cheapest overall? shadow-planner, at a one-time $4.99, is the cheapest paid option; Proto-Mind is free but has no stated long-term pricing.
Do any of these run entirely on-device like Ghost Core? shadow-planner states it runs on your machine, and Naseem is a native Mac agent, though neither is described as fully on-device hardware like Ghost Core.