Natively vs Cluely vs Pluely: Free Plans, Licensing and Setup

Natively vs Cluely vs Pluely is a choice about who supplies the software, who supplies the models, and how much setup you want to own. A free installer does not settle all three questions.

This comparison reviews the projects' public documentation and pricing pages on September 14, 2026. It is not a hands-on performance benchmark. We publish GeekBye, another desktop assistant; the recommendations below explain when a different option may fit.

The differences that matter first

Decision	Natively	Cluely	Pluely v1
Software access	Source available under a personal-use license	Vendor-distributed app	Current app distributed as closed-source binaries
Starting route	Personal-use app with your own provider or local setup	Limited Starter tier	Free core with your own provider setup
Paid options	Optional API service and Pro edition	Pro and Pro + Undetectability	Optional hosted-model plans
Setup trade-off	Choose and configure the model/transcription path	Use the vendor's plan	Choose your own provider/CLI or hosted access
Platform distinction	Documents macOS and Windows; no Linux support	Check the current vendor download for your platform	Offers macOS, Windows, and Linux downloads

Sources: Natively documentation, Cluely pricing, and Pluely's current README. These describe advertised capabilities; the table does not establish answer quality, latency, or capture compatibility.

Natively vs Cluely: model control or bundled access?

Natively's documentation describes bring-your-own-key support and a local route using Ollama with local speech recognition. It also lists optional paid services, including a hosted API and a Pro edition. “Free” therefore describes one route through the product, not every feature or service it sells. The README lists macOS 12+ and Windows 10/11 and explicitly notes the lack of Linux support. Natively README

The practical question is whether you want to configure and maintain your own model setup. Before selecting that route, check both the language-model and speech-recognition requirements. A working chat connection is not proof that live transcription is configured.

Cluely's public pricing page currently lists a limited free Starter tier, Pro at $19.99/month, and Pro + Undetectability at $149.99/month in the monthly view. The screen-sharing feature is listed with the higher tier, so it should not be assumed to be part of the entry paid plan. Recheck the billing interval and checkout before purchasing. Cluely pricing

If you prefer a vendor-managed plan, compare the tier containing the features you need. If model choice matters more, evaluate the setup you would actually use rather than comparing a free installer against a paid service as though they included the same costs.

Pluely vs Natively: check the version and license

This is where older comparisons can mislead. Natively's current Personal Use Source License v1.0 permits personal, educational, research, and non-commercial use under its terms and requires separate written permission for commercial use. It also states that earlier releases may retain their previous license terms. Read the license attached to the version you plan to use; access to source code alone does not grant unrestricted use. Natively license

Pluely's README says v1 and later are proprietary binaries, while previously published GPL-3 code remains in repository history under that license. A GPL file in the repository is therefore not enough to characterize the current downloadable app. Its current README offers installers for macOS, Windows, and Linux and describes both a free own-provider route and hosted models on paid plans. Pluely README

For a Linux user, the presence of a supported download is a concrete reason to investigate Pluely first. For someone who needs source access, start with the exact release's license and available code. Neither “free” nor “on GitHub” answers both questions.

Pluely vs Cluely: compare the route you will pay for

Pluely's quickstart separates your own provider, connected CLI, and hosted-model routes. Pick a route first, then check what you need to configure. Its pricing page explains that paid access is activated with a license key in the app. Check Pluely’s current checkout for the price of your chosen hosted plan. Quickstart · Pricing and activation

Write down the recurring charges for the route you select:

• The assistant's plan, if any.
• Your model provider's usage or subscription charges.
• Transcription charges, if supplied separately.
• Any feature or device restriction that would require another tier.

Do not assume a connected CLI makes inference free or that a paid chat subscription covers API usage. Confirm billing with the provider you will connect.

Test privacy and screen sharing separately

Local storage, local inference, and exclusion from screen capture are separate properties. Ask where the recording or transcript is stored, which provider receives a request, and what the recipient sees during a share. A claim about one does not establish the others.

For any of these assistants, make a private call from a second device and test the precise tab, window, or entire-screen mode you intend to use. Play back a recording separately if recording is relevant. Retest after an OS or meeting-app update. Our screen-sharing checklist explains how to record the configuration and result without treating a vendor demo as a universal guarantee.

Which should you shortlist?

• Natively: investigate when its personal-use terms fit and you want to configure your own models or a documented local setup.
• Cluely: investigate when you prefer bundled access and the plan containing your required features fits your budget.
• Pluely: investigate when Linux availability or its choice of provider and hosted routes matters, while recognizing that v1 is not an open-source release.

Try a short, non-sensitive task before committing to a workflow. Check output accuracy, setup effort, and the terms that apply to your use; this documentation review cannot tell you which produces the best answer on your machine.

If you are still choosing across the wider category, continue with our Cluely alternatives comparison. If GeekBye is on your shortlist, download it and use the same private-call checklist to evaluate your setup.