Cluely vs Natively (2026): Paid Plans vs an Open-Source Assistant
Cluely is a paid product with a limited free plan. Natively is open source: free with your own API keys or local models, with paid plans if you want AI included. Both listen without joining the call and both can hide from screen sharing, but on different terms: Cluely only on its $149.99 plan, Natively with a stealth mode it calls best-effort. At work, check the licence first: Natively’s free version is for personal, educational and non-commercial use.
Cluely facts from cluely.com/pricing (checked 29 October 2026); Natively facts from its website, README, licence and pricing page (checked October 2026). We make Realtimer, which competes with both.
Cluely vs Natively at a glance
| Cluely | Natively | |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Closed source, paid plans | Open source; paid plans for AI included or Pro features |
| Free version | Starter: limited AI responses and notes, up to 3 files | Free with your own keys or local models (Ollama); personal and non-commercial use |
| Paid | Pro $19.99 a month; Pro + Undetectability $149.99 | Managed API Pro+ $15 a month (1,000 AI requests, 500 min transcription); Pro licence yearly or lifetime |
| Use at work on the free version | No restriction stated on the pricing page | Needs written permission |
| Hidden from screen sharing | Only on the $149.99 plan | Stealth mode, described as best-effort |
| Bot in the call | No | No |
| Platforms | Desktop app (Mac download on its pricing page) and a mobile app | macOS 12+ and Windows 10/11 |
| App | Not stated | Electron app, about 900 MB on macOS; asks for screen recording |
| Your own files | Up to 3 on Starter, unlimited on Pro | Local search; file upload is a Pro feature |
| What users report | Trustpilot 1.6 out of 5 (23 reviews), mostly billing and refunds | GitHub: stealth mode seen by the other side in Google Meet; open audio bugs |
Pricing: Cluely vs Natively
On paper Natively is cheaper: the app is free, and $15 a month buys AI and transcription. Cluely Pro is $19.99 a month, and $149.99 if you need its window hidden on a shared screen (all Cluely plans).
At a company, using Natively’s free version on sales or client calls needs written permission, and an app that can present itself as Terminal or System Settings is a hard one for IT to approve. More on that in our Natively alternative page.
What users report
Cluely’s Trustpilot score is 1.6 out of 5 from 23 reviews (29 October 2026). The complaints are mostly about money: charges after cancelling, renewals to annual plans, refunds refused, and support handled by an AI bot. More in Cluely pricing.
Natively has no review profile to speak of, but its GitHub is public. In discussion #452 (August 2026) a user wrote that the app was clearly visible to the other side of a Google Meet call with undetectable mode on; there was no reply. Open issues include system audio not being transcribed with Bluetooth earbuds on macOS and Windows, and audio that never triggers an answer. A request to hide Natively on projected and mirrored displays is also open.
Which to pick
Natively suits technical users who want open source, local models and Windows, for personal use. Cluely suits people who want a hosted product with unlimited answers for $19.99 and don’t share their full screen, or who pay $149.99 to hide it.
For work calls on a Mac where the answers have to come from your company’s price lists and documents, compare both with Realtimer: Realtimer vs Cluely and Realtimer vs Natively.
Free for work, on Mac
Realtimer Free is licensed for commercial use: unlimited calls with your own API keys, answers from your company’s documents with the source file, no bot in the call, and a window hidden from screen sharing on every plan. It’s a 1.5 MB native Mac app that shows up as “Realtimer”. Pro is €29 a month with AI included; Windows is expected on 1 December 2026. Get Realtimer Free →
Cluely vs Natively: FAQ
Is Natively free?
The app is open source and free with your own API keys or local models, for personal, educational and non-commercial use. Commercial use needs written permission. Managed AI starts at $15 a month.
Is Natively a free Cluely alternative?
For personal use, yes. At work, its free version needs written permission; Realtimer Free is licensed for commercial use.
Which hides from screen sharing?
Cluely on the $149.99 plan only. Natively has a stealth mode it describes as best-effort.
Do Cluely and Natively join the call as a bot?
No. Both run on your computer.
Sources: Cluely pricing · Natively · Trustpilot: Cluely · Natively GitHub discussion #452 · Natively GitHub issues