FlowDown is an open-source AI chat app for iPhone, iPad and Mac, built for speed, privacy and flexibility. Developed by Lakr233 and available on GitHub with roughly 1,200 stars, it lets you talk to cloud models, self-hosted endpoints and fully local models from one polished native interface. The app is under active development, with updates continuing through October 2026.
FlowDown positions itself as a zero-data-retention client: conversations and settings stay on your device or in your private iCloud, and nothing is sent to the developer’s servers. You can use Apple Intelligence where available, download local MLX models that run entirely on Apple silicon, or connect any OpenAI-compatible or self-hosted provider with your own API keys. Chats, custom models and preferences sync across your Apple devices through iCloud. The interface is designed to feel lightweight and fast compared with heavier AI clients, with markdown rendering, attachments and multiple model configurations. The source code is published under the AGPL-3.0 license, and a public TestFlight beta offers early access to new features.
FlowDown’s core chat features are free, and the developer has announced that the app is scheduled to become fully free, with prices reduced in phases beforehand; subscription fees are expected to apply only to future personalization options. Model usage itself may cost money depending on the provider and API keys you connect.
Apple users who want one privacy-respecting app for local and cloud AI chat, especially people who prefer bringing their own API keys or running models entirely on their own hardware.