OnlySwitch vs Poke (Interaction Co.)
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and ratings
At a glance
| Dimension | OnlySwitch | Poke (Interaction Co.) |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | macOS menu bar | Apple Messages, WhatsApp, Telegram, RCS |
| Core Function | Unified system toggle panel | AI personal assistant in messaging apps |
| Key Integrations | AirPods, Apple Shortcuts | Notion, Oura, Gmail, Outlook, TripIt, Todoist |
| Automation | Shortcuts integration, keyboard shortcuts | Recipes (proactive automations on Pro/Ultra) |
| Open Source | Yes | No |
OnlySwitch and Poke serve entirely different needs. OnlySwitch is a free, open-source macOS menu bar utility for quick system toggles (notch, dark mode, AirPods). Poke is a freemium AI assistant embedded in messaging apps that manages email, calendar, tasks, and integrations. Choose OnlySwitch if you want a no-cost toggle panel for your Mac; choose Poke if you need an AI agent to handle your digital life from your chat app.
OnlySwitch: a free macOS menu bar app that consolidates 20+ system toggles with AI natural language control
Visit Website
Poke is an AI personal assistant that lives in your texts on Apple Messages, WhatsApp, Telegram and RCS
Visit WebsiteWhat real users say: OnlySwitch vs Poke (Interaction Co.)
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.
OnlySwitch
30 mentions across 3 sources · 42% positive — mixed (weighted across 3 sources)
YouTube, Product Hunt, GitHub
What users praise
- • Completely free and MIT-licensed — no subscription, no upsell, no Bartender-style paywall
- • 20+ toggles in one menu bar panel, from Dark Mode to notch hiding to empty Trash
- • AI System Control lets you type natural-language commands like 'hide desktop icons'
- • 5,943 GitHub stars signals a real, active user base and ongoing development
What frustrates them
- • Hide Menu Bar Icons is broken on macOS 27 and still unresolved on GitHub
- • Users can't set system keyboard shortcuts — an open issue with no workaround posted
- • No cloud sync or settings export/import, so migrations and team sharing are manual
- • Support is community-only via GitHub — no vendor SLA or paid help tier
Researched Sep 24, 2026
Poke (Interaction Co.)
19 mentions across 1 sources · 7% positive — critical (averaged across 11 sources)
YouTube
What users praise
- • Integrates directly into iMessage, WhatsApp, Telegram, and RCS.
- • Handles email, calendar, reminders, and web search from chat.
- • Verified source citations for web results increase trust.
- • Deep integrations with Notion, Oura, Gmail, Outlook, TripIt.
What frustrates them
- • No community feedback on Reddit, HN, or other major platforms.
- • Premium pricing at $19-$199/month may be steep.
- • Workflow setup (Poke Recipes) may confuse new users.
- • Edge-case file handling like spreadsheets is unproven.
Researched Jul 17, 2026
Who should pick which
- Solo founderPick: Poke (Interaction Co.)
Manages email, calendar, reminders, Notion, and travel from one chat interface—saves time juggling multiple apps.
- Mac power userPick: OnlySwitch
Free, open-source toggle panel for quick system actions like Dark Mode, hidden files, and notch hiding—no subscription needed.
- Health enthusiast with Oura ringPick: Poke (Interaction Co.)
Poke integrates with Oura to check sleep, readiness, and activity via chat, without opening the Oura app.
- Developer using ShortcutsPick: OnlySwitch
OnlySwitch integrates with Apple Shortcuts, letting you trigger custom automations from the menu bar with one click.
- Road warrior with frequent travelPick: Poke (Interaction Co.)
TripIt automation in Poke consolidates travel plans and provides proactive updates via messaging.
Frequently Asked Questions
OnlySwitch vs Poke (Interaction Co.): which should you choose?
OnlySwitch and Poke serve entirely different needs. OnlySwitch is a free, open-source macOS menu bar utility for quick system toggles (notch, dark mode, AirPods). Poke is a freemium AI assistant embedded in messaging apps that manages email, calendar, tasks, and integrations. Choose OnlySwitch if you want a no-cost toggle panel for your Mac; choose Poke if you need an AI agent to handle your digital life from your chat app.
Can OnlySwitch run on Windows or Linux?
No. OnlySwitch is macOS-only and lives in the menu bar.
Does Poke support Apple Messages on macOS?
Yes, Poke is verified on Apple Messages across devices, including macOS.
Is OnlySwitch really free forever?
Yes, it's open-source and completely free with no paid tiers.
What is Poke's Pro tier for?
Pro ($19/mo) adds frontier AI models and proactive automations (Recipes) beyond the free tier.
Can I hide the MacBook notch with Poke?
No. OnlySwitch has a specific toggle for hiding the notch; Poke does not offer system-level display toggles.
Does Poke work with Telegram in all countries?
No. Poke excludes Italy and Brazil for Telegram messaging due to local regulations.
Can OnlySwitch manage email or calendar?
No. OnlySwitch is limited to system toggles and does not integrate with email or calendar.
Which tool is open source?
OnlySwitch is open source. Poke is proprietary, though Poke Kitchen allows custom integrations.
More OnlySwitch or Poke (Interaction Co.) comparisons
Pick Chatbot App if you need to compare outputs from 30+ AI models side-by-side for research or development. Choose Poke (Interaction Co.) if you want an AI assistant that lives in your messaging apps
If you need to systematically log and learn from past decisions, Decide’s structured journaling and pattern analysis is purpose-built. But if you want an AI assistant that handles email, calendar, rem
If you want an AI assistant to manage email, calendar, and tasks from your messaging app, Poke is the clear choice—especially with its new Apple Messages integration. If your pain point is messy file
If you just need a free, fast ChatGPT shortcut on macOS, go with ChatGPT Overlay Bar. For a full-fledged AI assistant that manages email, calendar, health data, and automations from your messaging app
Choose Poke if you want a versatile AI assistant that manages email, calendar, and automations directly in your messaging apps—ideal for productivity power users. Choose Clera if your main need is to
Choose Beacons AI if you're a creator needing a unified link-in-bio, store, and email marketing platform—its freemium model and social commerce integrations excel. Choose Poke if you want an AI person
Explore each tool further
Browse these categories
One email a week — new tools, honest comparisons, no spam.
Last reviewed: July 3, 2026