Native AI Chat Apps for macOS: An honest comparison

Aug 10th, 2025

Searching for the best native AI chat app for macOS? Native apps, built specifically for your operating system, deliver superior speed, responsiveness, and integration compared to web-based tools. For macOS users—whether developers, creatives, or professionals—a high-quality AI chat app can streamline coding, brainstorming, or task management. In this post, we review the top native AI chat apps for macOS in 2025, comparing their strengths and weaknesses, and highlight why 120 AI Chat from 120.dev is a top contender.

What defines a great native AI Chat app for macOS?

A standout native AI chat app should offer:

High performance: smooth, lag-free interactions (ideally up to 120FPS) leveraging macOS’s native capabilities
Model versatility: support for multiple AI models, including cloud-based and local LLMs, for diverse use cases
Privacy: local processing to keep sensitive data secure, crucial for professional workflows
User-friendly design: intuitive interfaces that simplify complex AI interactions
Bonus point: Cross-platform support for consistent experience across macOS, Windows, and Linux

Let’s explore the top native AI chat apps for macOS, with an honest look at their features and how 120 AI Chat compares.

120 AI Chat

What it is: a native macOS app that provides access to both cloud-based AI models and local AI models through a single interface.

What makes it different:

Multi-model access: instead of being locked into one AI service, you can switch between different models (OpenAI, Anthropic, local models) from one app
Local model support: run AI models directly on your Mac for complete privacy when needed
Cross-platform: available for macOS, Windows, and Linux with consistent experience
Performance focus: built as a native app rather than a web wrapper

Honest pros:

Flexibility to choose the right AI model for each task
Option to keep sensitive conversations completely private with local models
No need to manage multiple subscriptions or switch between different apps
Native performance benefits over web-based interfaces

Honest cons:

Requires one time payment (now only $39) for full features
Setting up local models still requires some technical knowledge
You're still dependent on third-party AI services for cloud models
Another app to learn if you're already comfortable with existing solutions

Why consider 120 AI Chat:

Model switching made simple: instead of having separate apps or browser tabs for ChatGPT, Claude, and local models, you get one clean interface
Privacy when you need it: use cloud models for general tasks, switch to local models for sensitive work
Cost management: compare responses from different models before committing to expensive API calls
Native experience: better performance and system integration than web interfaces

Best for: users who want flexibility in their AI tool choice and don't mind learning a new interface to get it

ChatGPT desktop (OpenAI)

OpenAI’s ChatGPT Desktop app brings its popular AI model to macOS with a native interface, making it accessible for casual and professional users.

Chat GPT MacOS app

Pros:

Easy-to-use interface, familiar to ChatGPT web users
Fast responses for general queries and text generation
Integrates with OpenAI’s ecosystem for consistent performance

Cons:

Limited to OpenAI models, lacking multi-model support
No local LLM processing, raising privacy concerns for sensitive data
Performance not optimized for high FPS like 120 AI Chat

Best for: users already invested in OpenAI’s ecosystem who need a simple, native chat experience

Claude desktop (Anthropic)

Anthropic’s Claude Desktop app offers a native macOS experience with its conversational AI, known for safety and helpfulness. It’s a strong competitor for professional workflows.

Claude MacOS app

Pros:

High-quality responses, especially for writing and analysis tasks
Native macOS app with smooth integration
Focus on safe, value-aligned AI outputs

Cons:

Limited model options (only Claude models)
No local processing, less privacy-focused than 120 AI Chat
Free tier is restricted; premium features require payment

Best for: professionals needing a safe, reliable AI for text-based tasks but not requiring model switching

Bolt AI

Bolt AI is a native macOS AI chat app that focuses on giving you access to various AI models through a clean, minimal interface. Like 120 AI Chat, it allows you to interact with multiple providers from a single app.

Bolt AT chat

Pros:

Simple, polished macOS interface
Supports multiple AI providers
Easy to get started for non-technical users

Cons:

Higher pricing compared to 120 AI Chat for similar capabilities
Limited platform availability (macOS only)
Still requires separate subscriptions for certain AI services
No built-in local model support for offline use

Local AI solutions

What they are: apps that run AI models directly on your Mac. Examples: LM Studio, Ollama, LocalAI

Pros:

Complete privacy - nothing leaves your computer
No subscription fees once set up
Can work offline
Access to open-source models

Cons:

Requires technical setup
Performance depends on your Mac's specs (need lots of RAM)
Models are generally less capable than cloud-based options
No official support

Best for: privacy-conscious users with technical skills and powerful hardware

Multi-platform apps

Several apps claim to offer access to multiple AI models through one interface. These typically work by connecting to various AI services' APIs.

General pros:

Can switch between different AI models
Often cross-platform

General cons:

Usually require subscriptions to multiple services
Your data still goes to third-party servers
Dependent on internet connection
Can be expensive if using multiple premium models

What about performance claims?

You'll see some apps claiming specific performance metrics like "120FPS" interactions. In practice, AI chat responsiveness depends more on:

Your internet connection (for cloud models)
The AI service's server load
Your Mac's processing power (for local models)

Focus on real-world usability rather than marketing metrics. And yes — 120 AI Chat is built to meet that 120FPS goal, because it wouldn’t feel right to have “120” in the name and not make things run silky smooth.

Privacy considerations

Cloud-based apps (ChatGPT, Claude, etc.):

Your conversations are processed on company servers
Subject to the company's privacy policy
May be used to improve AI models
Accessible to company employees under certain circumstances

Local AI apps:

Data stays on your device
No internet required after setup
You control your data completely
Models are typically less capable

Cost reality check

Free tiers: usually very limited
Subscriptions: range from $10-50+ per month depending on usage
Local solutions: free software, but requires powerful hardware
API access: can be cost-effective for light usage but unpredictable for heavy use

Making your choice

Choose cloud-based apps like ChatGPT or Claude if:

You want the most capable AI models
You don't mind data going to servers
You're willing to pay subscription fees
You want minimal technical setup

Choose local AI solutions if:

Privacy is your top priority
You have a powerful Mac (16GB+ RAM recommended)
You're comfortable with technical setup
You can accept lower AI capability for privacy

Choose multi-model apps if:

You want to experiment with different AI models
You're willing to pay for multiple services
You understand you're adding another layer between you and the AI services

Bottom line

The AI chat app landscape offers different solutions for different needs. While established options like ChatGPT Desktop and Claude serve users well within their ecosystems, 120 AI Chat offers a different approach: flexibility and choice.

Consider 120 AI Chat if:

You use or want to try multiple AI models
You value having privacy options for sensitive work
You prefer native apps over web interfaces
You want to avoid vendor lock-in with a single AI service

Try the established options first if:

You're already happy with one AI service
You prefer the simplicity of single-purpose apps
You don't need local AI capabilities

The best way to know if 120 AI Chat fits your workflow is to try it. Most users find that having model flexibility and privacy options becomes valuable once they experience it, even if they didn't think they needed it initially.

Getting started: you can download a free trial at 120.dev/120-ai-chat to test the multi-model switching and see if the approach works for your needs before committing to a subscription.