Citenook

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Citenook vs Elephas

Both are Mac apps that answer questions from your own files. Citenook is focused on that one job, shows the exact sentence behind each answer, and starts at $9.99 a month. Elephas does more around it, like writing tools in every app and an iPhone app, and starts at $19 a month.

Last checked: , against Elephas's own website. Sources

Side by side

CitenookElephas
Main jobAnswers from your files, with the sourceKnowledge workspace: chat with your files, plus AI writing in any app
Proof for each answerLinks to the passage, with the exact sentence highlightedNumbered citations with the file, page or section, and a click to the passage
Chat with your filesEvery plan, from $9.99 a monthStandard ($19) "works with your PDFs, notes, and files"; Super Brain is listed in Professional ($39)
Free to try30 days, every feature, no card7 days of Pro, no card; then a free plan with 20 AI credits a month
Monthly price$9.99, $19.99 or $29.99$19, $39 or $49 (yearly: $190, $390 or $490)
MacsApple silicon, macOS 15 or latermacOS 13 or later, Intel too (offline AI needs Apple silicon)
iPhone and iPadNoYes, including a keyboard for every app
AI on your MacApple Intelligence, a downloaded model, Ollama or LM StudioBuilt-in offline models, Ollama, LM Studio or Jan
Online AIYour own OpenAI, Anthropic, Google or OpenRouter keyYour own key, or Elephas's built-in cloud AI using credits
Personal details before an online AINames, emails, phone and ID numbers hidden, on by default28 types of sensitive data removed on the Mac
Files and sourcesPDF, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, CSV, Pages, EPUB, text, Markdown, saved emails, images, recordings, Apple Notes, Obsidian, web pages, YouTube, NotionA similar list of files, plus Roam Research, Logseq, DEVONthink and Zoom; apps connected from the Professional plan
SyncNone. Your library stays on your MaciCloud sync on by default, in your own iCloud
Usage analytics in the appNoneYes, can be turned off
RefundsNo refunds; cancel any timeNo refunds

Choose Citenook if

  • You mainly want answers from your own files, and to check each one against the exact sentence.
  • You want answers from your files at a lower price: every plan includes it, from $9.99 a month.
  • You want a full month to try it on real work.
  • You'd rather nothing syncs anywhere, and the app collects no usage data.
  • You use Apple Intelligence and want it as an option.

Choose Elephas if

  • You want an iPhone or iPad app, or an AI keyboard on your phone.
  • You use an Intel Mac, or a macOS version before 15.
  • You want AI writing tools across all your apps as much as file chat.
  • You don't want to set up an AI key: its built-in cloud AI works with credits.
  • You use Roam Research, Logseq, DEVONthink or Zoom, or want agents and web search.

Privacy

Both apps read and index your files on your Mac, and both can answer offline with a model on your Mac. With an online AI, both send your question and the passages picked to answer it, not whole files or file names. The differences are in the details.

Sync

Citenook has no cloud sync. Elephas turns on iCloud sync by default, kept in your own iCloud, and you can turn it off.

Analytics

Citenook's app collects no usage data. Elephas collects usage analytics and general location, and lets you turn analytics off.

Online AI

Citenook only uses your own key, so requests go straight to the service you chose. Elephas also offers its own cloud AI through its proxy, with zero data retention at the providers.

Personal details

Both hide personal details before an online AI. Elephas lists 28 kinds; Citenook hides names, emails, phone and ID numbers, and can show you exactly what will be sent.

Pricing

Citenook: $9.99, $19.99 or $29.99 a month, after a 30-day free month with no card. Every plan answers from your files with sources. See Citenook's plans.

Elephas: a free plan with 20 AI credits a month, then $19, $39 or $49 a month, or $190, $390 or $490 a year, after a 7-day trial with no card. Its pricing page says Standard "works with your PDFs, notes, and files" and lists Super Brain, its chat with your own knowledge, in the $39 Professional plan. On Setapp, Elephas comes in its Standard version.

Questions

Is Citenook cheaper than Elephas?

Citenook's plans start at $9.99 a month and all of them answer from your files with sources. Elephas's paid plans start at $19 a month, and its pricing page lists Super Brain, its chat with your own knowledge, in the $39 Professional plan. Elephas also has a free plan with 20 AI credits a month.

Do both work offline?

Yes. Both can answer with a model on your Mac and no internet. Citenook can also use Apple Intelligence. Elephas's offline AI needs Apple silicon and 8 GB of memory or more.

Which shows sources better?

Both link each answer to where it came from. Elephas shows the file, page or section and jumps to the passage. Citenook opens the passage with the exact sentence highlighted.

Does Citenook have an iPhone app?

No. Citenook is Mac only for now. If you need your files on an iPhone or iPad, Elephas has an app for both.

Can I move my files from Elephas to Citenook?

Yes. Your files stay in your own folders, so add the same folders, notes or Obsidian vault to a brain in Citenook. Nothing needs exporting.

Try Citenook on your own files.

Every feature free for 30 days. No card needed.

Start free, no card neededSee all features

Sources

Elephas facts were checked on on Elephas's own pages. Prices and features change; check their site for the latest.

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