Best Willow Alternatives in 2026
The top Willow alternatives are Gemini, Bixby and Meta AI: 15 AI voice assistants our editors would look at instead of Willow, in our ranking order.
Willow: A command-focused voice interface for DIY smart homes, not a general conversational assistant. Where it falls short: device configuration requires a separate willow application server..
Switching from Willow? For most ai voice assistants buyers the best Willow alternative is Gemini, built for people wanting a broad, connected AI voice assistant. On a budget, Samantha starts at $10/mo.
Why People Look for a Willow Alternative
- Device configuration requires a separate Willow Application Server
- Compatible ESP32-S3-BOX hardware is purchased separately
- Its command-focused feature set does not provide conversation memory
- No mobile apps — 8 of the alternatives below have it
- No desktop apps — 1 of the alternatives below has it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallGemini9.2
People wanting a broad, connected AI voice assistant
Visit Gemini - Lowest priceSamantha7.5
Paid plans from $10/mo
Visit Samantha - Best free optionGemini9.2
Has a free plan
Visit Gemini - Best for mobile appsGemini9.2
Mobile apps (Willow: no)
Visit Gemini
All 15 Willow Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forPeople wanting a broad, connected AI voice assistant
- Better than Willow:
- Mobile apps
- Web search
- Editor score 9.2 vs 6.6
A connected assistant for voice, research, files, and Google apps across devices.
- Mobile apps
- Web search
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Gemini -
Best forSamsung Galaxy owners automating device tasks
- Better than Willow:
- Mobile apps
- Editor score 8.5 vs 6.6
A free, Galaxy-focused assistant for device control, routines, reminders and SmartThings.
- Mobile apps
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Samsung -
Best forFree voice chat with web search and Meta app access
- Better than Willow:
- Mobile apps
- Web search
- Editor score 8.4 vs 6.6
Free voice chat with web search, file analysis and access across Meta apps.
- Mobile apps
- Web search
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Meta AI -
Best forXiaomi users seeking voice and smart-home control
- Better than Willow:
- Mobile apps
- Web search
- Editor score 8.2 vs 6.6
A free voice assistant with Xiaomi smart-home control and device-dependent advanced features.
- Smart-home control
- Custom actions
- Mobile apps
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Xiaomi -
Best forHuawei phone users needing everyday voice commands
- Better than Willow:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 6.6
A free, device-focused assistant for everyday voice commands on supported Huawei phones.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Huawei -
Best forLG appliance owners wanting voice-linked device control
- Better than Willow:
- Mobile apps
- Editor score 7.9 vs 6.6
A free appliance-management app with voice control through compatible assistant services.
- Smart-home control
- Mobile apps
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit LG ThinQ -
Best forvivo phone owners using built-in device assistance
- Better than Willow:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 6.6
A free, device-integrated voice assistant for compatible vivo Android phones.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit vivo -
Best forVoice-first help and smart-home routines
- Better than Willow:
- Mobile apps
- Web search
- Editor score 7.9 vs 6.6
A capable voice assistant with smart-home routines and Alexa+ conversations, subject to regional limits.
- Smart-home control
- Custom actions
- Mobile apps
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Amazon Alexa -
Best forPeople seeking a free conversational voice companion
- Better than Willow:
- Mobile apps
- Web search
- Editor score 7.6 vs 6.6
Pi pairs voice conversation with reminders and planning across web and mobile.
- Mobile apps
- Web search
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Pi -
Best forPrivacy-minded desktop users wanting local voice control
- Better than Willow:
- Desktop apps
- Web search
- Editor score 7.5 vs 6.6
A local-first desktop assistant with offline voice, automation and optional AI integrations.
- Desktop apps
- Web search
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit Samantha -
Best forHomeowners building a supported smart-home system
- Better than Willow:
- Mobile apps
- Editor score 7.3 vs 6.6
A voice-first smart-home controller for connected devices, scenes, schedules, and apps.
- Smart-home control
- Custom actions
- Mobile apps
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit Josh.ai -
Best forDIY users building a self-hosted voice assistant
- Better than Willow:
- Web search
- Editor score 7.2 vs 6.6
A self-hosted assistant with local models, smart-home control, and multi-room voice.
- Smart-home control
- Custom actions
- Web search
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit D.A.W.N. -
Best forWindows users focused on dictation and voice commands
- Better than Willow:
- Editor score 7.1 vs 6.6
A Windows-first dictation and automation assistant with offline tools, but paid tiers start at $99 yearly.
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit Braina -
Best forDevelopers seeking a free, self-hosted voice assistant
- Better than Willow:
- Editor score 6.8 vs 6.6
A self-hosted voice and text assistant for developers who want to extend its skills.
- Custom actions
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit Leon -
Best forAutomotive OEMs needing in-vehicle voice experiences
- Better than Willow:
- Web search
- Editor score 6.7 vs 6.6
An automotive-focused assistant built for conversational voice interaction inside vehicles.
- Web search
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit Cerence AI
Willow Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Willow?
Gemini: #1 in our AI Voice Assistants ranking, with an editor score of 9.2 out of 10. A connected assistant for voice, research, files, and Google apps across devices.
Is there a free alternative to Willow?
Yes. Gemini, Bixby, Meta AI, XiaoAI and Huawei Celia have a free plan or a free tier (13 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for Willow alternatives?
Device configuration requires a separate Willow Application Server; Compatible ESP32-S3-BOX hardware is purchased separately; Its command-focused feature set does not provide conversation memory.
How do I switch from Willow?
Export your data from Willow (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Willow.
How to Switch from Willow
- Export your data from Willow (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Willow.
Willow vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Mobile apps | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Willow | Yes | Free | No | 6.6 |
| 1 | Gemini | Yes | Yes | 9.2 | |
| 2 | Bixby | Yes | Free | Yes | 8.5 |
| 3 | Meta AI | Yes | Free | Yes | 8.4 |
| 4 | XiaoAI | Yes | Free | Yes | 8.2 |
| 5 | Huawei Celia | Yes | Free | No | 7.9 |
| 6 | LG ThinQ | Yes | Free | Yes | 7.9 |
| 7 | vivo Jovi | Free | 7.9 | ||
| 8 | Amazon Alexa | Yes | Yes | 7.9 | |
| 9 | Pi | Yes | Free | Yes | 7.6 |
| 10 | Samantha | Yes | $10/mo | 7.5 | |
| 11 | Josh.ai | No | Yes | 7.3 | |
| 12 | D.A.W.N. | Yes | Free | No | 7.2 |
| 13 | Braina | Yes | 7.1 | ||
| 14 | Leon | Yes | Free | No | 6.8 |
| 15 | Cerence Assistant | 6.7 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update