Pluely is a free, open-source alternative to Cluely that gives you real-time help during meetings, interviews, and other conversations without anyone knowing.
It works as a translucent overlay on your desktop, so it’s invisible during video calls, screen shares, and recordings.
Pluely is only about 10MB and uses minimal computer resources. All your data and API keys are stored locally on your device, so your conversations remain private.
Features
- Multi-LLM Support: Connect to OpenAI (with dynamic model fetching), Anthropic Claude, xAI Grok, and Google Gemini using your own API keys.
- Voice Activity Detection: Real-time speech-to-text processing using OpenAI Whisper with automatic voice detection capabilities.
- Multi-Modal Input: Accept text input with markdown support, voice commands, and image attachments for AI analysis.
- Translucent Overlay Interface: Always-visible window that sits on top of other applications while remaining nearly invisible to others.
- Conversation History: Persistent storage of all AI interactions with search functionality to reference previous conversations.
- Real-Time Streaming: Chunked response streaming with cancellable requests and error handling mechanisms.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: Native performance on macOS, Windows, and Linux through Tauri framework.
Use Cases
- Job Interviews: Access relevant information and formulate responses during technical interviews without interviewer awareness.
- Sales Presentations: Retrieve product specifications, pricing details, and competitor comparisons instantly during client meetings.
- Technical Consultations: Get coding syntax help, debug assistance, and algorithm explanations during live programming sessions.
- Educational Scenarios: Receive learning support during presentations or lectures while maintaining professional appearance.
- Client Negotiations: Access strategy guidance and reference materials during sensitive business discussions.
How To Use It:
1. Download and install the Pluely app from the download page.
2. Once installed, you’ll need to add your own API key from an AI provider. The app will dynamically fetch available models for OpenAI, Gemini, and xAI Grok, while Claude requires manual model name entry.
3. Position the translucent overlay window where it remains accessible but unobtrusive during your meetings or conversations.
4. To interact with the AI, click the overlay window and type your query, speak your question using voice input, or attach images for analysis. The AI response streams in real-time, and you can cancel generation at any point if needed.
Pros
- Completely Free: As an open-source project, Pluely is free to use.
- Privacy-Focused: Your data never leaves your machine, which is a big plus for sensitive conversations.
- Extremely Lightweight: At only 10MB, it won’t hog your computer’s resources.
- Undetectable: The stealth nature of the tool is its main selling point, especially for situations like interviews.
- Customizable: Since it’s open-source, you have the freedom to modify it to your liking.
Cons
- Technical setup required: Not suitable for non-technical users who prefer install-and-go applications.
- API costs still apply: While the tool is free, you’ll need paid accounts with AI providers.
- No mobile version: Currently limited to desktop operating systems.
- Limited custom model support: Currently focuses on major providers rather than local LLMs.
Related Resources
- Tauri Framework Documentation: Comprehensive guide to the desktop framework powering Pluely’s native performance and cross-platform compatibility.
- OpenAI API Documentation: Complete reference for integrating OpenAI models including GPT-4 and Whisper speech recognition.
- Anthropic Claude API Guide: Official documentation for accessing Claude AI models through API integration.
- Voice Activity Detection Library: Technical details about the speech detection technology used in Pluely’s voice input feature.
FAQs
Q: Is Pluely truly undetectable?
A: Yes, it is designed to be invisible in video calls, screen shares, and recordings because it functions as a translucent overlay on your desktop.
Q: Is Pluely safe to use with my API keys?
A: Pluely stores your API keys in your browser’s local storage. They are not sent to any external servers, so they remain on your device.
Q: What’s the difference between Pluely and Cluely?
A: Pluely is the open source version with identical functionality but 27x smaller size and no subscription costs. Cluely is a commercial product with additional enterprise features and support, while Pluely offers complete transparency and privacy control.
