6,622 tools, each one opened, scored and signed by a Toolio reviewer

RecurseChat

Local AI for Mac, private and fast.

Checked 3 Oct 2026 Reviewed by Alex Listed since September 2024

Screenshot of RecurseChat

At a glance

Starts at $19.99 one-time purchase, no subscription fees thereafter. Price as published by the vendor, September 2026.
Free tier No
Platforms macOS (Apple Silicon)
Best for Individuals with sensitive data
Not for Users requiring windows support

3.8 out of 5

Scored by Alex after real use

Our verdict

RecurseChat offers local AI on your Mac without internet dependency. Perfect for those who value privacy but lacks models beyond LLM support.

✓What it does well

Local model hostingRuns AI locally on your machine.
No internet dependencyWorks offline with local models and APIs.
Privacy-focused designConversations never leave your device.

✕Where it falls short

Limited model selectionOnly supports a few LLMs, no custom models.
No built-in training featuresCannot train or fine-tune AI locally.
High initial cost for macOSOnly available on macOS with Apple Silicon.

Key features

Local RAG integrationSupports PDF, markdown, and text files.
Floating chat functionalitySummon AI from any app easily.
BYOK support for APIsImport your own API keys for custom providers.
cloud provider integrationsupports openai and anthropic

Questions about RecurseChat

What is RecurseChat?

RecurseChat is a local AI app for Mac that runs models on the user's own machine, with a focus on privacy and speed. Conversations never leave the device, it can work with PDF, markdown and text files through local RAG, and a floating chat can be summoned from any app.

Does RecurseChat work offline?

Yes. RecurseChat works offline with local models, so it does not depend on an internet connection. It also lets users import their own API keys for custom providers, with support for OpenAI and Anthropic, for those who want cloud models alongside local ones.

How much does RecurseChat cost?

RecurseChat is sold as a one-time purchase with no subscription fees afterwards, and it has no free tier. The reviewer lists the initial cost as a drawback and notes that it is only available on macOS with Apple Silicon.

Does RecurseChat run on Windows?

No. RecurseChat runs only on macOS with Apple Silicon, and Toolio lists it as not for users who require Windows support. It is listed as best for individuals with sensitive data who want AI that stays on their own device.

What are the limitations of RecurseChat?

The reviewer says RecurseChat supports only a few LLMs and no custom models, and it cannot train or fine-tune AI locally. The verdict adds that it lacks models beyond LLM support. It holds a Toolio score of 3.8 out of 5, given by Alex after real use.

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