kitio.aiAI Sidebar vs SurfMind
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. AI Sidebar starts at See pricing page and SurfMind starts at $10/mo. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
At a glance
Best for
Category
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Multi-model chat
- Page and YouTube summaries
- Chat with documents
- Image and video generation
- Slide deck creation
- 250+ prebuilt agents
- Page-aware chat
- 100+ models and local LLMs
- Cited answers
- Browser actions
- MCP and skills
| Feature | AI Sidebar | SurfMind |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Chrome sidebar with GPT, Claude and Gemini on any web page | Browser extension that chats about any page with 100+ AI models |
| Category | Productivity | Productivity |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | See pricing page | $10/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Made by | AITOPIA | SurfMind |
| Based in | – | – |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
|
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Pricing compared
AI Sidebar starts at See pricing page and SurfMind starts at $10/mo. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
3 plans
Free
Free
- Page-aware chat
- Any AI provider or local LLM
- Basic MCP and skills
Pro Monthly
$10/mo
- 800 SurfMind credits a month
- Hosted models and image generation
- Browser actions
Pro Lifetime
$39 one-time
- Browser actions
- Early feature access
- No credits included
Prices in USD, checked Nov 5, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
AI Sidebar
- Several AI models in one thread
- Works on any website
- Free daily usage included
- Desktop Chrome only
- Credit costs vary by model and feature
- Plan details live on a separate site
SurfMind
- Free tier with your own API keys
- Supports local models
- One-time lifetime option
- Lifetime plan excludes hosted credits
- Browser automation is Pro only
- Setup needed to add your own keys
Which one should you choose?
Choose AI Sidebar if you want:
- Several AI models in one thread
- Works on any website
- Free daily usage included
Watch out: desktop chrome only.
Choose SurfMind if you want:
- Free tier with your own API keys
- Supports local models
- One-time lifetime option
Watch out: lifetime plan excludes hosted credits.
AI Sidebar vs SurfMind FAQ
What is the difference between AI Sidebar and SurfMind?
AI Sidebar: Chrome sidebar with GPT, Claude and Gemini on any web page. SurfMind: Browser extension that chats about any page with 100+ AI models. Both are productivity tools.
Is AI Sidebar or SurfMind cheaper?
AI Sidebar starts at See pricing page and SurfMind starts at $10/mo. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Do AI Sidebar and SurfMind have free plans?
AI Sidebar: Yes. SurfMind: Yes.
Who makes AI Sidebar?
AI Sidebar is made by AITOPIA.
Who makes SurfMind?
SurfMind is made by SurfMind.
Which should I choose, AI Sidebar or SurfMind?
Choose AI Sidebar if you value several ai models in one thread and works on any website. Choose SurfMind if you value free tier with your own api keys and supports local models.