Avec vs Kagi
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and ratings
At a glance
| Dimension | Avec | Kagi |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Freemium with paid plans (e.g., $10/mo for Starter) |
| Core Purpose | AI-powered Gmail inbox as swipeable task list | Ad-free, private search engine + AI assistant |
| Platform | iOS app only | Web, Orion Browser (desktop/mobile) |
| Key Feature | Voice compose, swipe to clear, smart stacking | Multi-LLM AI Assistant (GPT-5.5, Claude 4.8, Gemini 2.5 Pro) |
| Integration | Gmail only | Orion Browser, GPT-5.5, Claude 4.8, Gemini 2.5 Pro |
| Target User | Busy Gmail users on iPhone | Privacy-conscious power users, teams, libraries |
If you want a privacy-first search environment with powerful AI and no ads, Kagi is the clear choice — but it costs money. If you're drowning in Gmail on your iPhone and want a free, swipe-driven way to clear your inbox, Avec is a clever specialized tool. They solve completely different problems, so pick based on where your pain point is.
Free Gmail email app that turns your inbox into a swipeable, voice-compose task list.
Visit Website
Private, ad-free search engine funded by users, now with native Kagi Assistant AI apps.
Visit WebsiteWhat real users say: Avec vs Kagi
Not marketing copy and not our opinion — a structured sweep of public discussion (reviews, forums, communities and video comments), showing what people praise and what they complain about for each tool.
Avec
105 mentions across 6 sources · 53% positive — mixed
Reddit, Hacker News, Product Hunt, App Store, GitHub, Lemmy
What users praise
- • Voice compose is industry-leading, fast, and accurate.
- • Swipe-based inbox management is intuitive and efficient.
- • Smart filtering puts important emails first, reducing clutter.
- • One-tap unsubscribe effectively cuts unwanted newsletters.
What frustrates them
- • iOS-only, no Android, web, or Outlook support yet.
- • Notifications are broken for some users.
- • Cannot swipe to delete emails, only archive/snooze.
- • Privacy concerns due to free pricing model.
Researched Jul 3, 2026
Kagi
66 mentions across 5 sources · 81% positive
Hacker News, Product Hunt, Bluesky, Lemmy, Tech Press
What users praise
- • Completely ad-free, no tracking, and respects privacy.
- • Power users love domain blocking/promoting result customization.
- • Regular feature updates like Quick Answers, Small Web, and SlopStop.
- • Ability to view Hacker News discussions directly under search results.
What frustrates them
- • Monthly subscription is too expensive for many casual users.
- • Non-English search results are significantly weaker than competitors.
- • Founder's political ties and use of Yandex source raise ethical concerns.
- • AI Assistant is less capable than dedicated tools like ChatGPT.
Researched Jul 25, 2026
Feature-by-feature
Kagi and Avec address different workflows. Kagi is a full search ecosystem: ad-free web search with advanced controls (bangs, site limits via '@' or '!'), plus an AI Assistant that queries GPT-5.5, Claude 4.8 Opus, or Gemini 2.5 Pro privately. It also bundles Orion Browser, Kagi Translate (240+ languages, mobile app), Kagi News, Kagi Summarize, and Small Web (curated non-commercial sites). Recent updates added search widgets (coin flip, dice rolling) and an assistant overhaul with folders replacing tags. In contrast, Avec is laser-focused on Gmail on iOS: it stacks important emails one by one (like Tinder swipe), lets you voice compose replies, and uses AI to search across Gmail (e.g., 'find my 1099'). It offers smart notifications, a later queue, and groups miscellaneous emails. Avec integrates only with Gmail and is iOS-only; no desktop or web. Kagi's breadth dwarfs Avec's narrow inbox fix, but Avec's free, hands-free email workflow is unique and immediate.
Pricing compared
Kagi operates on a freemium model: a limited free tier exists, but paid plans start around $10/month for the Starter plan, with higher tiers for teams and libraries. The free tier likely has search limits. Avec is completely free with no mention of paid plans — it monetizes via growth or future features. For a budget-conscious user who wants no ads and privacy, Kagi's subscription is a direct cost. Avec lets you manage Gmail for free, but at the cost of no desktop access and limited to iOS. The value trade: paying $10+ per month for Kagi buys a full private search ecosystem; Avec costs zero but solves only email triage on one platform.
Who should pick which
- Privacy-focused power userPick: Kagi
Kagi's ad-free, no-tracking search plus multi-LLM AI Assistant (GPT-5.5, Claude 4.8, Gemini 2.5) and Orion browser give complete control.
- Busy iPhone Gmail userPick: Avec
Avec's free, swipeable inbox and voice compose drastically reduce email overwhelm on mobile.
- Team needing private searchPick: Kagi
Kagi offers team plans, private AI grounded by search, and no data tracking for employees.
- Android userPick: Kagi
Avec is iOS-only; Kagi works on any browser and has Orion for Android.
- Freelancer on a budgetPick: Avec
Avec is free and solves email overload without spending a dime, though it limits you to Gmail on iPhone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Avec vs Kagi: which should you choose?
If you want a privacy-first search environment with powerful AI and no ads, Kagi is the clear choice — but it costs money. If you're drowning in Gmail on your iPhone and want a free, swipe-driven way to clear your inbox, Avec is a clever specialized tool. They solve completely different problems, so pick based on where your pain point is.
Can I use Avec with Outlook or other email providers?
No, Avec only integrates with Gmail. It does not support Outlook, iCloud, Exchange, or other providers.
Does Kagi have a free tier?
Kagi offers a freemium model with a limited free tier, but paid plans start around $10/month for full access.
Is Avec available on Android?
No, Avec is currently iOS-only. No Android version has been announced.
Can Kagi replace Google Search entirely?
It can for many use cases, but note that Kagi lacks deep Google services integration (Gmail, Maps) and local business search may be less comprehensive.
Does Kagi track my searches?
No, Kagi is ad-free and does not track or sell user data. Privacy is a core feature.
Can I use Avec's AI search with multiple email accounts?
Avec's AI search works across your connected Gmail, but it's limited to one Gmail account per session.
Is Kagi's AI Assistant available on mobile?
Yes, Kagi's AI Assistant works through the mobile web or Orion browser, with private access to multiple LLMs.
Does Avec have a desktop version?
No, Avec is a mobile-only iOS app. No desktop or web version is available.
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Last reviewed: July 30, 2026