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Head to head · 2026

Alter vs Atua

Pricing, free plans, ratings, features, pros and cons, side by side. Where one comes out ahead, we mark it.

Alter

Mac assistant that executes actions across native apps instead of answering in a chat window

4.0$20/mo

Visit Alter (opens Alter in a new tab)

Atua

Mac app that puts AI commands behind a hotkey in any app: select text, capture a…

4.1$29/mo

Visit Atua (opens Atua in a new tab)

Who comes out ahead

Based only on the facts in our directory. The right pick still depends on the job you need done.

  • Lower starting price

    Alter

    From $20/mo against from $29/mo

  • Free plan

    Alter

    Only Alter has one

  • Higher rating

    Atua

    4.0 against 4.1

  • Same job?

    Yes

    Both are Productivity tools

Side by side

Compared onAlterAtua
Our rating4.04.1Better
Starts at$20/moBetter$29/mo
Free planYesBetterNo
CategoryProductivityProductivity
PlansFrom $20/moFrom $29/mo
Key features
  • System-wide macOS assistant triggered by shortcut or voice
  • Executes actions inside native apps rather than returning chat text
  • Reads on-screen context to skip copy-and-paste steps
  • Per-context privacy controls over what gets shared
  • Custom action library the user can extend
  • Hotkey commands from any Mac app
  • Context from selected text, screenshots, clipboard, voice and screen OCR
  • Custom commands with their own hotkey, model and output mode
  • Bring-your-own API key for providers from OpenAI to local Ollama and LM Studio
  • MCP server support and system tools for Calendar, Notes and Shell
Pros
  • Removes the copy-paste loop between a chat window and real work
  • Keyboard-first design suits users who avoid the mouse
  • Privacy controls are exposed rather than buried
  • One-time $29 license with no subscription
  • Works with local models as well as cloud providers
  • 7-day money-back guarantee
Cons
  • macOS only, with no Windows or Linux build
  • Action coverage depends on which apps expose automation hooks
  • Mac only
  • No free plan or trial named
  • Model usage is billed separately by whichever provider the user connects
CompanyAlterDevLab Systems LLC

Prices come from each vendor's pricing page, last checked 20261012. Check the vendor before you buy.

FAQ

Questions people ask

Is Alter better than Atua?

In our reviews Alter scores 4.0 and Atua scores 4.1. The better pick depends on the job. Alter: Mac assistant that executes actions across native apps instead of answering in a chat window. Atua: Mac app that puts AI commands behind a hotkey in any app: select text, capture a screenshot or speak, then run a custom command on the model of your choice using your own API key, with MCP server support and system tools.

Which is cheaper, Alter or Atua?

Alter has the lower starting price: from $20/mo for Alter and from $29/mo for Atua.

Do Alter and Atua have free plans?

Only Alter has a free plan.

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