# Kagi vs Msty

> Kagi: Ad-free, subscription-funded search engine with built-in AI assistant and summarization tools
> Msty: Private AI workspace for chatting with local and online models, with your data under your control

- Kagi profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/kagi
- Msty profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/msty
- Comparison page: https://finderatlas.com/compare/kagi-vs-msty
- Last reviewed: October 2026

## Verdict

Kagi and Msty are both AI Assistants tools. Both have a free plan or trial. Only Kagi offers an API. Only Msty is available on Windows, macOS and Linux.

### Choose Kagi if

- You want a tool built for people who want ad-free, personalizable search results and are willing to pay a subscription to get them.
- No advertising; revenue comes from subscriptions.
- Site-level raise, lower and block controls let users tune results.

### Choose Msty if

- You want a tool built for running local and cloud models side by side from one desktop app while keeping data on your own device.
- Permanent free Studio tier that includes local and online model chat and Knowledge Stacks.
- Data stays on the user's device, with zero product telemetry stated.

## Pricing

| | Kagi | Msty |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pricing model | Free trial | Freemium |
| Free plan or trial | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | $0 | $0 |

## Features

| Feature | Kagi | Msty |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ad-free search | Yes | Not listed |
| Site personalization | Yes | Not listed |
| Lenses | Yes | Not listed |
| Kagi Assistant | Yes | Not listed |
| Quick Answer and Summarize Page | Yes | Not listed |
| Developer APIs | Yes | Not listed |
| Orion browser | Yes | Not listed |
| Kagi Translate and Kagi News | Yes | Not listed |
| Local and Online Models | Not listed | Yes |
| Knowledge Stacks | Not listed | Yes |
| Personas and Crew Conversations | Not listed | Yes |
| Agent Mode | Not listed | Yes |
| Toolbox with MCP | Not listed | Yes |
| Prompt, Persona, Skill and Media Studios | Not listed | Yes |
| Studio Web | Not listed | Yes |
| Msty Go Agents | Not listed | Yes |
| Msty Nexus | Not listed | Yes |
| Enterprise Governance | Not listed | Yes |

## Platforms

| Platform | Kagi | Msty |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | No | Yes |
| macOS | No | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | No |
| Browser Extension | No | No |
| Linux | No | Yes |

## Kagi strengths

- No advertising; revenue comes from subscriptions.
- Site-level raise, lower and block controls let users tune results.
- Lenses give quick topic-specific filtering such as Academic or Forums.
- Ultimate bundles access to Claude, GPT and Gemini models in Assistant.
- Public APIs and an MCP server support developer use.
- Transparent funding history published by the company.

## Kagi limitations

- No permanent free tier: the trial is limited to 100 searches.
- The $5 Starter plan caps searches at 300 per month, which users report running out of quickly.
- Reviewers report that lens use and loading more results can count as extra searches.
- Full AI model access requires the $25 Ultimate plan.

## Msty strengths

- Permanent free Studio tier that includes local and online model chat and Knowledge Stacks.
- Data stays on the user's device, with zero product telemetry stated.
- One-time Aurum Lifetime option at $349 avoids a recurring subscription.
- Supports MCP tools and enterprise controls such as SSO and audit logs.
- Broad product family covering chat (Studio), agents (Go) and a model gateway (Nexus).

## Msty limitations

- Studio data does not sync between devices.
- Studio Web needs a connection to Studio Desktop or Sidecar for local models, Toolbox and real-time data.
- SOC 2 and ISO 27001 certifications are not yet complete.
- Msty Go is still in beta and Stack is not yet released.

## FAQ

**Is Kagi better than Msty?**

It depends on your workflow. Kagi is built for people who want ad-free, personalizable search results and are willing to pay a subscription to get them. Msty is built for running local and cloud models side by side from one desktop app while keeping data on your own device.

**What are the key feature differences between Kagi and Msty?**

Kagi: Ad-free, subscription-funded search engine with built-in AI assistant and summarization tools. Msty: Private AI workspace for chatting with local and online models, with your data under your control.

**Does Kagi or Msty have a free plan?**

Yes, both do. Kagi is free trial and Msty is freemium, and each has a free plan or trial.

**Which is cheaper, Kagi or Msty?**

Both can be used for free. Paid plans differ in limits and features, so compare the tiers in the pricing table above.