What platforms does RecurseChat support?

RecurseChat is available on MacOS.

What are the limitations of RecurseChat?

Mac only: no Windows, Linux, mobile or web version exists. Local model quality and speed depend entirely on the memory and chip in your machine. File chat covers PDF, markdown and text only, so spreadsheets and slides are out.

RecurseChat

Name: RecurseChat
Author: RecurseChat

A private, local-first AI chat client built for the Mac

Intermediate

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Screenshot of RecurseChat, A private, local-first AI chat client built for the Mac

What is RecurseChat?

RecurseChat is a Mac chat app that runs GGUF language models locally and also connects to Claude, ChatGPT, Hugging Face and OpenAI-compatible endpoints. It adds a floating shortcut panel, on-device retrieval over PDFs and text files, and ChatGPT history import, sold as a one-time purchase with no subscription.

RecurseChat is a Mac application that puts a chat interface around large language models, with a deliberate emphasis on running those models on the machine itself. GGUF model files execute locally through the app, so a conversation can continue without an internet connection and without prompts travelling to a third party server. The same window also accepts cloud backends, including Claude, ChatGPT, OpenAI-compatible endpoints and models pulled from Hugging Face, which makes it a single front end for both self-hosted and hosted inference. In daily use the app is organised around two habits. The first is a floating chat panel summoned with a keyboard shortcut from inside any other application, which keeps the assistant on top of other windows and removes the need to switch context. The second is file chat: PDFs, markdown and plain text documents can be attached and queried through retrieval that runs on the device, with embedding and vector search handled locally rather than on a remote service. Existing ChatGPT history can be imported, so older threads can be continued against a local model instead of the original provider. The audience is fairly specific: Mac users who care about where their data goes, people who already keep model weights on disk, and anyone who wants one client rather than a browser tab per provider. The purchase model reflects that positioning. It is a one-time payment with no subscription and no data collection, which sets it apart from the subscription tiers most hosted chat products use. The trade-offs are structural. There is no Windows, Linux, iOS or Android build, so the tool is only as portable as the Apple hardware it runs on. Local inference is limited by the memory and speed of that hardware, and large models will not run comfortably on modest configurations. File understanding stops at PDF, markdown and text, and the app does not claim to generate images, browse the web or automate workflows. It is a focused chat client, and it should be judged as one.

How do you use RecurseChat?

1Install RecurseChat from the Mac App Store
Download the app through the Mac App Store listing linked from the homepage. It installs like any other Mac application and launches straight into the chat window.
2Try it before buying
The site offers a trial route for people who want to evaluate the interface before committing to a purchase. Open the trial page to see how access works.
3Point the app at a model
Choose a local GGUF model file, a Hugging Face model, an OpenAI-compatible endpoint or a cloud provider such as Claude or ChatGPT. All of these live in the same model selection area.
4Summon the floating chat from another app
Press the shortcut shown on the site to bring up a chat window on top of whatever you are working in. It stays available while you move between applications.
5Attach a file and query it
Add a PDF, markdown or text file to a conversation and ask questions about its contents. Embedding and vector search run on the device, so the document is not uploaded.
6Import your ChatGPT history
Bring previous ChatGPT conversations into the app and continue them, including against a local model. This keeps older threads usable after switching clients.

Pros and cons

Pros

Local models run offline with no server in the loop, so conversations stay on the deviceAI
Cloud providers and local models share one interface, which avoids juggling several clientsAI
On-device retrieval lets you question PDFs, markdown and text files without uploading themAI
The floating panel opens over any app from a keyboard shortcut, which suits quick lookupsAI
One-time purchase with no subscription and, per the site, no data collectionAI

Cons

Mac only: no Windows, Linux, mobile or web version existsAI
Local model quality and speed depend entirely on the memory and chip in your machineAI
File chat covers PDF, markdown and text only, so spreadsheets and slides are outAI
No browsing, image generation or automation layer, so it is a chat client and little moreAI
Pricing is not stated on the homepage, which makes cost comparison harder before downloadingAI

How much does RecurseChat cost?

Free trial

A trial option exists: the homepage links to a dedicated trial page alongside the Mac App Store download, which suggests the app can be evaluated before purchase.

Learn more

Pricing

The homepage describes a one-time purchase with no subscription and no data collection. It does not publish a price, so the exact cost has to be checked in the Mac App Store listing before buying.

Learn more

Integrations

Connects to Hugging Face for model downloads, OpenAI-compatible endpoints, and cloud providers including Claude and ChatGPT. GGUF model files can be loaded directly, and ChatGPT conversation history can be imported.

Features

Local GGUF model inference that works offline, a floating chat panel summoned by keyboard shortcut over any app, and on-device retrieval across PDFs, markdown and text files. The same client also reaches Hugging Face models, OpenAI-compatible endpoints, Claude and ChatGPT, and can import ChatGPT history so old threads continue against a local model.

Frequently asked questions about RecurseChat

How much does RecurseChat cost?
The homepage describes a one-time purchase with no subscription and no data collection. It does not publish a price, so the exact cost has to be checked in the Mac App Store listing before buying.
Does RecurseChat offer a free trial?
A trial option exists: the homepage links to a dedicated trial page alongside the Mac App Store download, which suggests the app can be evaluated before purchase.
How do you use RecurseChat?
The walkthrough on this page covers 6 steps: 1. Install RecurseChat from the Mac App Store 2. Try it before buying 3. Point the app at a model 4. Summon the floating chat from another app 5. Attach a file and query it 6. Import your ChatGPT history.
What platforms does RecurseChat support?
RecurseChat is available on MacOS.
What does RecurseChat integrate with?
Connects to Hugging Face for model downloads, OpenAI-compatible endpoints, and cloud providers including Claude and ChatGPT. GGUF model files can be loaded directly, and ChatGPT conversation history can be imported.
What are the limitations of RecurseChat?
Mac only: no Windows, Linux, mobile or web version exists. Local model quality and speed depend entirely on the memory and chip in your machine. File chat covers PDF, markdown and text only, so spreadsheets and slides are out.