Chatbox AI

Chatbox AI is a cross-platform AI chat client that gives you one app for many models on desktop, mobile and web. It started as a popular open-source desktop app for people using their own OpenAI keys and has grown into a full product with optional subscriptions, a local knowledge base and an agent mode. Its distinguishing feature is flexibility: pay providers directly with your own keys, or pay Chatbox a small monthly fee for bundled access.

What is Chatbox AI used for?

Chatbox AI is used as a daily AI desk by students, developers and knowledge workers who want a fast native app instead of browser tabs.

• Chatting with GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Qwen and Kimi models from one interface
• Using your own API keys so you pay providers at their rates
• Asking questions about PDFs, Word files, images and code
• Building a local knowledge base where documents stay on your device
• Running Work Mode, an agent that searches, writes code and uses tools
• Generating images and rendering Mermaid diagrams and LaTeX formulas

Who Chatbox AI is best for

Chatbox AI suits developers who already have API keys, students on a budget who want access to several models for a few dollars, and professionals who prefer a desktop app that also syncs to mobile. People who need team administration, shared workspaces or single sign-on should look at a business-focused platform.

Chatbox AI pricing

Chatbox AI has a Free plan for light use with 10,000 compute points that reset daily and five images. Lite costs $3.99 per month, or $3.50 per month on annual billing, with 2,000,000 compute points, standard models such as GPT 5.6 Luna, Claude Haiku 4.5, Gemini 3 Flash and DeepSeek V4, and 25 images. Pro is $19.99 per month, or $16.70 per month annually, with 12,000,000 points, advanced models including recent Claude Opus, GPT 6 and Gemini 4 releases, 100 images and full Work Mode. Pro+ is $39.99 per month, or $33.33 annually, with 30,000,000 points and 200 images. Plans support up to five devices. Using your own API keys works separately from these plans. Prices are from the pricing page as of October 2026.

Limitations to keep in mind

• Advanced models are reserved for Pro and Pro+
• Compute points deplete faster with reasoning models and document analysis
• Work Mode is trial only on the Lite plan
• Team features are limited compared with business platforms

Chatbox AI vs alternatives

ChatGPT is the better pick if you mainly want OpenAI's models with voice, memory and connectors in its official apps. Poe offers many models and community bots with a free tier. Merlin AI focuses on browser-based help across websites. Together Chat is a free browser option for open models. Chatbox AI wins for people who want a native multi-model app on every platform with the choice of bringing their own keys.

Tips for getting started with Chatbox AI

If you already pay for an API, add your key first and see whether a subscription is needed at all. Put reference documents in the local knowledge base instead of uploading them to every chat. Use standard models for routine tasks to save compute points for advanced ones.

Chatbox AI FAQ

Is Chatbox AI free?

Yes. Chatbox AI has a free plan for light use, and you can also use it with your own API keys. Paid plans start at $3.99 per month.

Can I use my own API key in Chatbox AI?

Yes. Chatbox AI supports bringing your own API keys for providers such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, xAI and DeepSeek.

Does Chatbox AI work on mobile?

Yes. Chatbox AI has apps for iOS and Android as well as Windows, macOS, Linux and a web version.

What is the best alternative to Chatbox AI?

Poe is a popular alternative for many models in one app, while ChatGPT suits people who mainly use OpenAI's models.