ChatKit
All-in-one AI chat app for desktop supporting multiple AI models with one-time payment premium.
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What is ChatKit?
ChatKit is a refined, all-in-one AI chat application for macOS, Windows, and Linux that provides an enhanced ChatGPT interface with powerful features. It allows users to use their own OpenAI API key to interact with ChatGPT, offering a significantly faster experience compared to the official ChatGPT application. The app requires no log-in by default, making it easy to start using immediately.
Key features include full-text search capabilities for chat history, the ability to use web pages as context for conversations, prompt templates with placeholders for dynamic content, bookmarking chats to pin them to the sidebar top, text-to-speech support for every reply, cloud sync for settings and chat history across devices (for logged-in licensed users), and file upload ownership retention. The app supports multiple models including GPT-4o Mini, GPT-4, GPT-3.5, and through OpenRouter integration, Claude (100K context), PaLM, and Llama2.
ChatKit is designed for individuals who want a faster, more customizable ChatGPT experience with their own API key, developers who want to manage their OpenAI usage efficiently, and users who need advanced features like prompt management, chat history search, and multi-device sync. It's particularly useful for those who want to avoid the official ChatGPT interface limitations while maintaining control over their API costs and chat data.
ChatKit pricing
Pricing model: Freemium
ChatKit offers a free tier with no log-in required by default. Premium users can use ChatKit credits instead of OpenAI API Key. ChatKit credits are credits-based - you only pay what you use. By default it uses your credits, and if you don't have credits it asks you to use API key or buy credits. GPT-4 with ChatKit credits is available but pricing is usually 15x that of GPT-3.5. Through OpenRouter integration, it's also credits-based so you only pay what you use. Licensed users get exclusive features like cloud sync and file ownership retention. Some features like text-to-speech will become exclusive to Premium users.
ChatKit pros
- Significantly faster than official ChatGPT application
- Use your own OpenAI API key for cost control
- No log-in required by default
- Full-text search for chat history
- Use web pages as conversation context
- Prompt templates with dynamic placeholders
- Bookmark chats to pin to sidebar top
- Text-to-speech for every ChatGPT reply
- Supports GPT-4o Mini, GPT-4, GPT-3.5
- OpenRouter integration for Claude, PaLM, Llama2
- Cloud sync across multiple devices (licensed)
- Keep ownership of uploaded files (licensed)
- Save frequently used prompts
- Ignore previous messages without deleting
- Cross-platform: macOS, Windows, Linux
- Temperature control for responses
- Dropdown menu for message management
- GPT-4 available with ChatKit credits
ChatKit cons
- Cloud sync and file ownership only for licensed users
- Unlogged files deleted after 30 days
- GPT-4 with credits is 15x more expensive than GPT-3.5
- GPT-4 with credits is much slower than GPT-3.5
- Text-to-speech will be Premium-exclusive soon
- Requires development server for some features
- API key access depends on OpenAI plan
- Credits-based pricing can be confusing initially
Frequently asked questions about ChatKit
Do I need to log in to use ChatKit?
By default you don't have to log in to use ChatKit. However, logging in gives you exclusive features: keeping ownership of uploaded files (unlogged files are deleted in 30 days) and cloud syncing your settings and chat history across multiple devices. To log in, go to Account Settings and enter your email address to receive a verification code.
How do prompt templates with placeholders work?
In the prompt manager from the sidebar, you can create/edit/delete prompt templates. Placeholders use the syntax {{name|option1,option2}} wrapped in double curly braces. If you provide options like {{tone|Friendly,Sarcastic,Formal}}, it renders as a select input. Without options, it's a text input. In the chat input, use '/' to select a prompt template.
What models does ChatKit support?
ChatKit supports GPT-4o Mini, GPT-4, and GPT-3.5 through OpenAI. Through OpenRouter AI integration, you can also use Claude (with 100K context), PaLM, and Llama2. OpenRouter is a unified API for popular LLMs that works with any OpenAI-compatible client.
How do ChatKit credits work?
ChatKit credits are credits-based, so you only pay what you use. By default, ChatKit uses your credits. If you don't have credits, it asks you to use API key or buy credits. If you've set a custom OpenAI API key, that API key will be used instead. You can change whether a specific chat uses credits in the chat settings.
What's the difference between using API key and credits for GPT-4?
Previously you could only access GPT-4 if your API key had access to it. Now GPT-4 is available when using ChatKit credits too, but the pricing is usually 15x that of GPT-3.5 and it's much slower than GPT-3.5.
How do I delete or ignore messages?
Previously you clicked the Broom button to delete messages. Now it's moved to the dropdown menu above the input box. The dropdown also includes 'Ignore Messages' which lets you ignore previous messages in the context without deleting them - an indicator message will be added in the chat.
Can I use Claude and other non-OpenAI models?
Yes, through OpenRouter AI support. You can use Claude (100K context), PaLM, and Llama2 by adding your OpenRouter API key and selecting the relevant model. OpenRouter is a unified API for popular LLMs that can be used with any OpenAI-compatible client.
How do I update ChatKit?
Just download the new version. The framework change mentioned in the changangelog is necessary for future desktop features and getting rid of bugs.
What exclusive features do licensed users get?
Licensed users who log in get: keeping ownership of files uploaded or generated on ChatKit (unlogged files are deleted in 30 days), and cloud syncing settings and chat history across multiple devices. Some features like accessing GPT-4 with credits are also exclusive to licensed users.
Does ChatKit have text-to-speech?
Yes, every reply from ChatGPT gets text-to-speech support. You can try it now for free, but it will be exclusive to Premium users in a few days according to the changelog.