Most AI assistants wait in a chat window until you think to ask. An assistant that texts you first does the opposite: it keeps an eye on your email and calendar and messages you when something needs you, before you'd have noticed. These are the five worth knowing in November 2026, what each one does, and who each suits.
How we compared them
- Does it start on its own, or only when you set up a rule?
- Does it do the job, or only remind you?
- Where do you text it, and does it work on Android?
- What does it cost, and does your data train its AI?
At a glance
| Starts on its own | Does the job | Where | Android | Price | Trains on your data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kiwi | Yes, from day one | Yes, on any website | iMessage, WhatsApp | Yes | Free | No |
| Poke | Through recipes and automations | Yes; real-world errands by people on Ultra | Messages, WhatsApp, Telegram | Not stated | Free, $19 or $199 a month | Yes, unless Maximum Privacy |
| Pally | When a rule you write matches | Yes | iMessage, RCS, Telegram | Yes | Free, weekly limit | Yes, unless you opt out |
| Muse (Meta) | Yes, with suggestions | Yes | Its app, web, WhatsApp | Yes | Free with a limit, $20 or $100 a month | Yes, unless you turn it off |
| Instinct | Not stated | Yes | Text or call | Not stated | No published price | Yes, unless you opt out |
Each rival's details are from its own website and privacy policy, checked on 8 November 2026. Kiwi's are from its privacy policy and questions page.
1. Kiwi: texts you first with nothing to set up
Kiwi is a free AI assistant you text, in Messages on iPhone or on WhatsApp on any phone. It reads your calendar and email and texts you once, at the right time, when something needs you: a reply you owe, a meeting coming up, a renewal, a flight that moved. Anything that can wait comes in one morning text. Say yes and it does the job on any app or website, with the price first for anything that costs money.
Best for: people with full inboxes who want an assistant that works from day one, at work and at home. It works with Outlook, Gmail, Google Calendar and Slack, has no ads, and doesn't train general-purpose AI models on your data. More in an AI assistant for your work email and calendar.
2. Poke
Poke is an assistant you text in Messages, WhatsApp or Telegram, with a large library of add-ons called recipes. It runs background automations on its paid plans, and on its $199 Ultra plan a team of people handles real-world errands like bookings and rides. Its privacy notice says it trains on your data unless you choose Maximum Privacy. Kiwi vs Poke.
3. Pally
Pally is a free assistant you text in iMessage, in RCS on Android or on Telegram. It texts you when something matches a rule you write, like "text me when my landlord emails", and sends morning briefs. Its privacy policy says it trains its models on your data unless you opt out. Kiwi vs Pally.
4. Muse, from Meta
Muse is Meta's personal agent, in its own app, on the web and on WhatsApp, open in the US and Singapore. It suggests things unprompted and books, shops and sends for you, asking before anything sensitive. It's free with a usage limit, with paid plans at $20 and $100 a month. Kiwi vs Muse.
5. Instinct
Instinct is a personal assistant you text or call, which uses a phone and computer to get things done, like ordering groceries or booking a train. Its terms describe a beta with a waitlist, and it publishes no price. Kiwi vs Instinct.
Also worth knowing
These get things done too, but reach you in other ways:
- Fo, by Wajo, calls, emails and texts people for you, on iMessage, SMS and Telegram. Kiwi vs Fo.
- Town is a work assistant whose proactive briefings come by email or in its app. Kiwi vs Town.
- Hark is a free assistant in its own app, with suggested actions. Kiwi vs Hark.
- Polar is an AI browser for your computer. Kiwi vs Polar.
Which one should you pick?
If you want something that starts helping the day you sign up, works on WhatsApp as well as iPhone, and costs nothing, start with Kiwi. Tap Text Kiwi on heykiwi.co, and it takes one message.
Questions people ask
What is the best AI assistant that texts you first? Kiwi texts you first from the day you start, with nothing to set up, and it's free. It reads your calendar and email and messages you when something needs you, then does it on your yes.
Is there an AI assistant that messages you before you ask? Yes. Kiwi, Poke, Pally and Muse can all message you first. Kiwi does it on its own from day one; Poke and Pally mostly through automations or rules you set up.
Which AI assistant works on WhatsApp? Kiwi, Poke and Muse can be used on WhatsApp. More in Kiwi on WhatsApp.
Which proactive AI assistant is free? Kiwi is free to use. Pally, Poke and Muse also have free tiers with limits.