HermesPet vs Kagi
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and ratings
At a glance
| Dimension | HermesPet | Kagi |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | macOS (native) + Windows beta | Web + Orion browser |
| AI Integration | Multi-engine parallel (Codex, Claude Code, etc.) | Assistant with GPT-5.5, Claude 4.8 Opus, Gemini 2.5 Pro |
| Privacy | Local-only data (~/.hermespet/) | No tracking, no data selling |
| Key Feature | Desktop companion, notch/spotlight AI, knowledge cloud | Ad-free search with bangs, translate, news |
| Best For | Mac lovers wanting native, always-available AI | Privacy-conscious power users & teams |
If you need a full privacy-first search ecosystem with AI, choose Kagi. If you want a native, local, always-on AI companion on your desktop that lets you run multiple models in parallel without subscription, go with HermesPet. They solve different problems—search vs. on-device AI assistant.
Kagi is a paid ad-free private search engine with bangs, lenses, and an AI Assistant grounded in its own results.
Visit WebsiteWho should pick which
- Privacy-focused researcher who values ad-free search and AI helpPick: Kagi
Kagi's ad-free, no-tracking search with AI Assistant and translate features are perfect for deep research without spyware.
- Developer wanting multiple AI models simultaneously on a MacPick: HermesPet
HermesPet runs Codex, Claude Code, etc. in parallel per conversation—ideal for coding and testing without blocking.
- User who needs a free, local AI assistant with good writing toolsPick: HermesPet
HermesPet's AI notes, writing mode, and knowledge cloud are free and offline, no subscription required.
- Librarian seeking a clean search tool for patronsPick: Kagi
Kagi's Small Web and ad-free results provide a safe, distraction-free search experience suitable for libraries.
Frequently Asked Questions
HermesPet vs Kagi: which should you choose?
If you need a full privacy-first search ecosystem with AI, choose Kagi. If you want a native, local, always-on AI companion on your desktop that lets you run multiple models in parallel without subscription, go with HermesPet. They solve different problems—search vs. on-device AI assistant.
Can HermesPet run on Windows with full features?
Windows support is in v0.1.0 beta and likely less complete than macOS. The native notch integration is macOS-only.
Does Kagi require a subscription for its AI Assistant?
Yes, AI Assistant access is part of paid plans. The free tier may have limited searches. Check current plans on kagi.com.
Are conversations on HermesPet stored in the cloud?
No. All data is saved locally in ~/.hermespet/. The app does not transmit or store anything externally.
Can I use Kagi's search without AI features?
Yes. Latest update added an option to disable AI features in search, so you can use purely ad-free search.
Does HermesPet support image generation?
It can run multiple backends in parallel, so if you connect an image generation model (e.g., DALL-E via API), you could use it, but it's not a built-in feature.
Is Kagi's Orion browser necessary?
No. Kagi search works on any browser. Orion enhances the experience with built-in ad-blocking, but it's optional.
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Last reviewed: July 30, 2026