Samantha review
A local-first desktop assistant with offline voice, automation and optional AI integrations.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Samantha is an open-source, voice-first AI assistant for desktop users who want local voice interaction and control over computer tasks. It supports offline speech recognition and text-to-speech, and can run local Ollama models. Its capabilities include opening apps, using hotkeys, taking screenshots, automating browser tasks, and analyzing webcam input. Conversation memory is stored locally in SQLite. Text-only mode is also available, so voice is not required for every interaction.
The free plan includes voice-controlled desktop automation, webcam interaction, vision analysis, screenshot reading, offline Ollama models, local browser automation and context memory. Pro costs $10 per month and includes everything in Free, plus Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini integrations using your own API keys, as well as priority support. The Enterprise plan adds multi-user setup and management, advanced security and compliance, dedicated support, custom integrations and on-premise deployment options. This tier structure gives individual users access to local features without a subscription, while paid plans add integrations or organizational capabilities.
Samantha’s local-first design is its clearest distinction: it can operate without cloud services or API keys when using its local capabilities, and it supports Ollama models including LLaMA, Mistral and Phi. That makes it a fit for users prioritizing on-device voice control and automation. Its reach is narrower than an assistant designed for multiple device types: the listed platforms are Windows, macOS and Linux, including WSL2. Choose Samantha if desktop automation and local processing are central; look elsewhere if you need a broader platform footprint or prefer integrated cloud AI without bringing API keys.
Samantha pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Free plan includes offline Ollama models and local browser automation
- Persistent conversation memory is stored locally in SQLite
- Available for Windows, macOS and Linux
- Where it doesn't
- Desktop-focused, rather than a general-purpose assistant across platforms
- Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini integrations require your own API keys
- Pro costs $10 per month
Samantha fact sheet, pricing and score →
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