kitio.aiSurfSense vs Omphalis
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. SurfSense starts at See pricing page and Omphalis starts at $9/mo. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
At a glance
Best for
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Runs fully offline
- Local models or your own keys
- Windows, macOS and Linux app
- Scraper plugins
- Web crawler
- No account needed
- Inline explanations
- Questions across sources
- Notes linked to source text
- Generated narration
- Courses from documents
| Feature | SurfSense | Omphalis |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Private, open-source research notebook that runs on your own machine | Reading workspace that explains articles, PDFs, videos and podcasts |
| Category | Research & search | Research & search |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | See pricing page | $9/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Made by | SurfSense | Omphalis |
| Based in | – | – |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
SurfSense starts at See pricing page and Omphalis starts at $9/mo. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
2 plans
Free
Free
- Full app on Windows, macOS, Linux
- Runs offline
- 14-day plugin licence
Individual
$60 first year, then $120/yr
- All scraper plugins
- Web crawler
- Priority support
4 plans
Free
Free
- 100 units a month
- 2 GB storage
- 100 subscribed sources
Pro
$9/mo
- 300 units a month
- 25 GB storage
- Key moments recap
- Build courses
Premium
$19/mo
- 600 units a month
- 50 GB storage
- 200 voice minutes
Scholar
$39/mo
- 1,200 units a month
- 100 GB storage
- 400 voice minutes
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
SurfSense
- Data never leaves your machine
- Free app with no usage cap
- Source code is public
- Plugins and support need a licence
- You supply the model or keys
- Moving to a local app changes older setups
Omphalis
- Handles text, video and podcasts
- Library export at any time
- Works inside ChatGPT
- Usage measured in units that run out
- Voice features only on higher plans
- Free plan suits light reading only
Which one should you choose?
Choose SurfSense if you want:
- Data never leaves your machine
- Free app with no usage cap
- Source code is public
Watch out: plugins and support need a licence.
Choose Omphalis if you want:
- Handles text, video and podcasts
- Library export at any time
- Works inside ChatGPT
Watch out: usage measured in units that run out.
SurfSense vs Omphalis FAQ
What is the difference between SurfSense and Omphalis?
SurfSense: Private, open-source research notebook that runs on your own machine. Omphalis: Reading workspace that explains articles, PDFs, videos and podcasts. Both are research & search tools.
Is SurfSense or Omphalis cheaper?
SurfSense starts at See pricing page and Omphalis starts at $9/mo. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Do SurfSense and Omphalis have free plans?
SurfSense: Yes. Omphalis: Yes.
Who makes SurfSense?
SurfSense is made by SurfSense.
Who makes Omphalis?
Omphalis is made by Omphalis.
Which should I choose, SurfSense or Omphalis?
Choose SurfSense if you value data never leaves your machine and free app with no usage cap. Choose Omphalis if you value handles text, video and podcasts and library export at any time.