kitio.aiMacGPT vs ReadyRunner
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. MacGPT starts at See pricing page and ReadyRunner starts at $8/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
- Global ChatGPT text field
- Inline replies in any text field
- Menubar access to ChatGPT
- Copy full conversations
- Voice conversation mode
- Assistant chat
- ScratchPad
- Document chat
- Prompt library
- Bring your own API key
| Feature | MacGPT | ReadyRunner |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | ChatGPT in your Mac menubar with a global shortcut | Desktop and web ChatGPT client with scratchpad and document chat |
| Category | Chat assistants | Chat assistants |
| Pricing model | Paid | Freemium |
| Starting price | See pricing page | $8/mo |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Made by | MacGPT | ReadyRunner |
| Based in | – | – |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
MacGPT starts at See pricing page and ReadyRunner starts at $8/mo. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
4 plans
Free
Free
- 10 messages a month
- No card needed
Dev
$8/mo
- Bring your own API key
Plus
$12/mo
- 150 GPT-3.5 messages
- 50 GPT-4 messages
Pro
$19/mo
- 1,000 messages
Prices in USD, checked Oct 29, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
MacGPT
- Fast access from any app
- Types answers into other apps
- Works with the website or the API
- Mac only
- Requires a ChatGPT account or API key
- Pricing is not shown on the homepage
ReadyRunner
- Bring-your-own-key option keeps costs low
- Scratchpad is handy for editing code
- Works as desktop and web app
- Site only mentions GPT-3 and GPT-4
- Free tier is 10 messages a month
- Message limits on Plus and Pro plans
Which one should you choose?
Choose MacGPT if you want:
- Fast access from any app
- Types answers into other apps
- Works with the website or the API
Watch out: mac only.
Choose ReadyRunner if you want:
- Bring-your-own-key option keeps costs low
- Scratchpad is handy for editing code
- Works as desktop and web app
Watch out: site only mentions gpt-3 and gpt-4.
MacGPT vs ReadyRunner FAQ
What is the difference between MacGPT and ReadyRunner?
MacGPT: ChatGPT in your Mac menubar with a global shortcut. ReadyRunner: Desktop and web ChatGPT client with scratchpad and document chat. Both are chat assistants tools.
Is MacGPT or ReadyRunner cheaper?
MacGPT starts at See pricing page and ReadyRunner starts at $8/mo. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Do MacGPT and ReadyRunner have free plans?
MacGPT: No. ReadyRunner: Yes.
Who makes MacGPT?
MacGPT is made by MacGPT.
Who makes ReadyRunner?
ReadyRunner is made by ReadyRunner.
Which should I choose, MacGPT or ReadyRunner?
Choose MacGPT if you value fast access from any app and types answers into other apps. Choose ReadyRunner if you value bring-your-own-key option keeps costs low and scratchpad is handy for editing code.