HermesPet vs Kagi
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and ratings
At a glance
| Dimension | HermesPet | Kagi |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free (open-source) | Freemium ($10/mo+ plans) |
| 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.
Feature-by-feature
Kagi is a search-centric platform: ad-free results, bangs (!), site-limited search (@), Quick Answers (?), and an AI Assistant that can answer queries using multiple LLMs (GPT-5.5, Claude 4.8 Opus, Gemini 2.5 Pro). Its AI features can now be toggled off (latest news). It also offers Orion browser, Translate (240+ languages), News briefs, Summarize, and Small Web curation. Recent updates added search widgets (sports, dice) and a revamped Assistant with folders.
HermesPet is a desktop AI companion app, native on macOS (Swift 6) and Windows beta. It lives in the notch/Island or as a floating icon, activated by click or Spotlight-style shortcut. Unique: each conversation can bind to a different backend (online AI, Gateway, Claude Code, Codex) and run in parallel—no blocking. It includes a knowledge cloud for cross-session memory, AI notes with Markdown preview, writing mode, pin cards, voice input (hold to speak), and a pixel pet. Data is stored locally. No cloud dependency or subscription.
Both prioritize privacy but in different ways: Kagi by not tracking and selling data; HermesPet by keeping everything offline. Kagi is broader (search + tools), HermesPet is focused (personal AI sidekick).
Pricing compared
Kagi uses a freemium model—free tier with limited searches? (details not shown, but paid plans exist starting around $10/mo for individuals, with higher tiers for teams and organizations). The latest news indicates Kagi Translate will become a paid subscription after a temporary free period, so costs could increase for heavy users.
HermesPet is free and open-source (Apache 2.0). No subscription or hidden costs—you only pay if you use third-party API keys (e.g., OpenAI) for some AI backends, but the app itself costs nothing. This makes it ideal for budget-conscious users who already have API keys or prefer local models.
For someone who wants all-in-one search plus AI, Kagi's subscription might be worthwhile. If you just need a capable AI assistant that respects privacy without recurring fees, HermesPet is the clear winner.
Who 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