Poke vs Martin
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Which is better, Poke or Martin?
It depends on what you want done. Pick Poke if you want an assistant you text, with a real free plan, that keeps on top of email and calendar. Pick Martin if you want to call or text an assistant about your calendar and inbox, and proactive help is worth paying for. Both are personal agents. Prices as of November 2026: Poke, from $19/mo; Martin, from $21/mo.
On our rubric, Poke scores higher, 7.1 to 6.3. Both handle 1 of our 6 everyday errands fully on their own, so the difference is in how they work and what they cost. Here's where each one wins.
Poke7.1
Choose Poke if you want an assistant you text, with a real free plan, that keeps on top of email and calendar.
Visit Poke
Martin6.3
Choose Martin if you want to call or text an assistant about your calendar and inbox, and proactive help is worth paying for.
Visit MartinErrands, side by side
| Errand | Poke | Martin |
|---|---|---|
| Book reservations, rides and travel | With your OK | With your OK |
| Shop and check out | No | No |
| Handle email and calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Fill forms and click through websites | No | No |
| Cancel subscriptions, chase refunds, lower bills | No | No |
| Research and compare | With your OK | With your OK |
Scores side by side
| Criterion | Poke | Martin |
|---|---|---|
| Gets it done (30%) | 6.5 | 6.0 |
| Reach (15%) | 8.0 | 7.5 |
| Knows you (15%) | 7.5 | 7.0 |
| Safety & control (15%) | 7.0 | 6.5 |
| Value (15%) | 7.5 | 5.5 |
| Trust (10%) | 6.5 | 5.5 |
| Overall | 7.1 | 6.3 |
Where they work
| Clicks through websites for you | ||
|---|---|---|
| Works in the background or on a schedule | ||
| Remembers you | ||
| Works over text messages | ||
| Talks by voice | ||
| Phone app |
Price and fine print
| Poke | Martin | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Personal agent: agent you text | Personal agent: agent you text |
| Made by | The Interaction Company of California | Martin |
| Our rank | #8 of personal agents | #19 of personal agents |
| Price | From $19/mo (as of November 2026) | From $21/mo (as of November 2026) |
| Free plan | Yes, free forever with email and calendar (as of November 2026) | No; 7-day free trial (as of November 2026) |
| Refunds | Not stated | Not stated |
| Best for | People who want an assistant in their text messages that watches email and calendar. | People who want an assistant they can call or text about their calendar and inbox. |
Poke: pros and cons
- Works in iMessage, SMS, WhatsApp and Telegram
- Messages you first about things that need attention
- Real free plan with email and calendar
- Human errand help on Ultra
- Doesn't browse websites or check out for you
- Human errands need the $199 plan
- Its parent company was acquired in 2026, so the roadmap may change
- Early users paid negotiated prices that differ from today's plans
Martin: pros and cons
- Call, text or email it
- Calendar, inbox, WhatsApp and Slack
- Proactive on Pro
- iPhone app
- Pricier than most
- Basic handles two tasks at a time
- Doesn't browse or buy
- App Store reviews mention slow support
Poke vs Martin: questions
Is Poke better than Martin?
On our rubric, Poke scores higher (7.1 vs 6.3). Martin is still the better pick if you want to call or text an assistant about your calendar and inbox, and proactive help is worth paying for.
Which is cheaper, Poke or Martin?
Poke: from $19/mo, free plan: yes (as of November 2026). Martin: from $21/mo, free plan: no (as of November 2026).