Instinct and Kiwi are both proactive assistants. You text them, they follow up, and they get real things done for you. If you've heard about Instinct and can't get an invite, or you want to see what else is out there, here is how Kiwi compares.
The short version: Instinct is a powerful assistant that's currently invite-only. Kiwi is open to join by sending a message. It texts you first, shows you the price of anything before it books it, and does it on any app or website when you say yes.
At a glance
| Kiwi | Instinct | |
|---|---|---|
| How to join | Send Kiwi a message | Invite-only beta |
| Where you talk to it | iMessage and WhatsApp | Text or call |
| Texts you first | Yes | Yes |
| Gets things done | Books, orders and replies on any app or website when you say yes | Acts on your behalf across your apps and the web |
| Price | Free to use | Free during its beta |
| Training on your data | Not used to train general-purpose AI models | May be used to train its AI models unless you opt out |
Facts about Instinct are from Instinct's own website, terms and privacy policy, and press coverage, checked on 12 October 2026.
Join today, no invite
Instinct is in an invite-only beta. You need a link from someone who's already in, or a place on its waitlist.
To use Kiwi, you just send it a message. Tap Sign up on heykiwi.co and pick iMessage or WhatsApp. Kiwi asks a few quick questions in the chat, and sets you up.
You stay in charge
Both assistants act for you. Kiwi is built around your yes:
- It only does what you asked for or agreed to.
- Anything that costs money shows its price first. If the price changes, it asks again.
- It only says something is booked once the company confirms it, and it never pays twice for the same thing.
- Nothing written in an email or on a website can tell Kiwi what to do. Only you can.
So you can hand things off without watching over them.
Kiwi goes first
Like Instinct, Kiwi doesn't wait to be asked. It keeps an eye on your calendar and email, and messages you once, at the right time:
Your Saturday afternoon is free. Want me to plan something with the kids?
You say yes, and Kiwi finds the options and books what you choose.
Privacy
Instinct's privacy policy says it may use your information to train the AI models behind its products, unless you opt out in its settings. Kiwi doesn't use your conversations or connected accounts to train general-purpose AI models, never sells your data, and never shows your passwords to its AI: they're encrypted before they're saved and filled in for you. More in Is Kiwi safe?
Price
Instinct is free during its beta and hasn't published a price. Kiwi is free to use. When Kiwi books something for you, you pay the company directly, at the price it showed you first. See Is Kiwi free?
Which one is right for you?
Instinct may suit you if you already have an invite and want an assistant that can text or call.
Kiwi suits you if you want a proactive assistant you can start using today, on iMessage or WhatsApp, that keeps you in charge with the price first and your yes before anything happens.
Questions people ask
Is Kiwi an Instinct alternative? Yes. Both are proactive assistants you text. Kiwi doesn't need an invite: you join by sending it a message.
Does Kiwi work on WhatsApp? Yes, on any phone. And in Messages on an iPhone.
Is Kiwi free? Yes. No subscription, and no card needed to start.