Chatpad AI vs Poke (Interaction Co.)

Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and ratings

Analysis reviewed Live tool data as of 2026-09-01
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At a glance

DimensionChatpad AIPoke (Interaction Co.)
Core FunctionCustom UI for ChatGPT via API keyAI assistant in messaging apps
PrivacyLocal-only data, open-sourceCloud-based assistant
IntegrationsNone (standalone ChatGPT UI)Email, Calendar, Notion, Oura, etc.
Self-hostingYes (Docker, source)No
Newest FeatureN/AApple Messages verified, @poke.com email
Best ForPrivacy-focused developersMulti-app automation from chat

Chatpad AI and Poke serve completely different needs: Chatpad is a privacy-first, open-source UI for ChatGPT power users who value data sovereignty, while Poke is a proactive AI assistant that lives in your messaging apps and automates email, calendar, and health tracking. Choose Chatpad if you want full control and lower costs with your own API key; choose Poke if you want an integrated assistant that handles life admin across multiple apps without coding.

Chatpad AI
Chatpad AI

Open-source ChatGPT frontend, self-hosted with your own API key

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Poke (Interaction Co.)
Poke (Interaction Co.)

AI personal assistant that lives in your texts — Apple Messages, WhatsApp, Telegram, and RCS

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Pricing
Free
Freemium
Plans
$0/mo
$19/mo
$199/mo
Popularity
4 views
7.2k views
Skill Level
Intermediate
Beginner-friendly
API Available
Platforms
WebDesktop
WebMobileAPI
Categories
🔀 Multi-Model AI Chat
Productivity🤖 AI Assistants
Features
Bring your own OpenAI API key
Self-host with Docker or from source
Conversation history with full-text search
Markdown rendering for chat responses
Code syntax highlighting
Export and import conversations as JSON
Customizable UI themes
Cross-platform: web and desktop app
Clean, distraction-free chat interface
Open-source codebase on GitHub
Apple Messages integration (first verified AI product)
WhatsApp messaging with read receipts, typing indicators, and inline replies
Telegram messaging (excluding Italy and Brazil)
RCS messaging support
Email management: read, search, draft, send (Gmail & Outlook)
Calendar management: schedule, check availability, recurring events
Reminders via text or voice messages
Web search with verified sources
Notion integration: pages, databases, docs
Oura integration: sleep, readiness, activity
TripIt automation for travel plans
Generate tables and charts from data or images
PDF generation and editing with LaTeX formatting
Poke Recipes for automations and integration setup
Poke Kitchen for custom developer integrations
Integrations
Notion
Oura
Gmail
Microsoft Outlook
Apple Messages
WhatsApp
Telegram
TripIt
Todoist
PostHog
Granola

Who should pick which

  • Privacy-conscious developer
    Pick: Chatpad AI

    Chatpad is open-source, self-hostable, and stores all data locally, with no server-side logging—ideal for those who want full control over their ChatGPT interactions.

  • Busy professional managing multiple apps
    Pick: Poke (Interaction Co.)

    Poke connects email, calendar, Notion, Oura, and more within messaging apps, automating tasks and reducing app-switching for $19/mo.

  • Solo founder on a tight budget
    Pick: Chatpad AI

    Chatpad is free (only pay API costs), and with a self-hosted instance you can minimize recurring expenses.

  • Health enthusiast tracking Oura data
    Pick: Poke (Interaction Co.)

    Poke directly integrates with Oura to query sleep, activity, and readiness via chat, which Chatpad cannot do.

  • User without coding skills
    Pick: Poke (Interaction Co.)

    Poke requires no API key or self-hosting; just sign up and chat. Chatpad requires technical setup to self-host or at least API key configuration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Chatpad AI vs Poke (Interaction Co.): which should you choose?

Chatpad AI and Poke serve completely different needs: Chatpad is a privacy-first, open-source UI for ChatGPT power users who value data sovereignty, while Poke is a proactive AI assistant that lives in your messaging apps and automates email, calendar, and health tracking. Choose Chatpad if you want full control and lower costs with your own API key; choose Poke if you want an integrated assistant that handles life admin across multiple apps without coding.

Can Chatpad AI use other AI models besides ChatGPT?

No, Chatpad is designed specifically as a UI for OpenAI's ChatGPT. It does not support other models like Claude or Gemini.

Does Poke work on desktop?

Poke is primarily a messaging-based assistant; it works inside WhatsApp, Telegram, iMessage, and RCS on mobile and desktop versions of those apps, but does not offer a standalone desktop app.

Is Chatpad AI really free?

Chatpad itself is free and open-source. However, you must supply your own OpenAI API key, and you pay OpenAI for usage based on their pricing.

Can I self-host Poke?

No, Poke is a cloud service. There is no self-hosting option.

What integrations does Poke support?

Poke integrates with Gmail, Outlook, Notion, Oura, TripIt, Todoist, and messaging platforms Apple Messages, WhatsApp, Telegram, and RCS.

Does Chatpad have an export feature?

Yes, Chatpad supports conversation export and import in JSON format.

Can Poke automate recurring calendar events?

Yes, Poke's calendar management includes scheduling and checking availability; with Recipes (Pro/Ultra) you can set up recurring events and automations.

Which tool is better for privacy?

Chatpad AI is significantly better for privacy because it's open-source, can be self-hosted, and stores all data locally. Poke processes data on its cloud servers.

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Last reviewed: July 3, 2026