Rene vs Poke
Published · Updated
Which is better, Rene or Poke?
It depends on what you want done. Pick Rene if you're often arranging plans with other people and like the idea of your agents coordinating them. Pick Poke if you want an assistant you text, with a real free plan, that keeps on top of email and calendar. Both are personal agents. Prices as of November 2026: Rene, free to start; Poke, from $19/mo.
On our rubric, Poke scores higher, 7.1 to 7.0. It handles 1 of our 6 everyday errands fully on its own, to Rene's 2. Here's where each one wins.
Rene7.0
Choose Rene if you're often arranging plans with other people and like the idea of your agents coordinating them.
Visit Rene
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 PokeErrands, side by side
| Errand | Rene | Poke |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | With your OK | No |
| Cancel subscriptions, chase refunds, lower bills | No | No |
| Research and compare | Yes | With your OK |
Scores side by side
| Criterion | Rene | Poke |
|---|---|---|
| Gets it done (30%) | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| Reach (15%) | 7.0 | 8.0 |
| Knows you (15%) | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| Safety & control (15%) | 7.5 | 7.0 |
| Value (15%) | 8.0 | 7.5 |
| Trust (10%) | 5.0 | 6.5 |
| Overall | 7.0 | 7.1 |
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
| Rene | Poke | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Personal agent: agent you text | Personal agent: agent you text |
| Made by | Rene | The Interaction Company of California |
| Our rank | #9 of personal agents | #8 of personal agents |
| Price | Free to start (as of November 2026) | From $19/mo (as of November 2026) |
| Free plan | Yes: free to start, no card (as of November 2026) | Yes, free forever with email and calendar (as of November 2026) |
| Refunds | Not stated | Not stated |
| Best for | People who coordinate plans with others and want their agents to talk to each other. | People who want an assistant in their text messages that watches email and calendar. |
Rene: pros and cons
- Coordinates plans with other people's agents
- Email, calendar and work tools
- Asks before booking or sending
- Free to start
- New, with little track record
- Paid pricing not published
- Telegram and WhatsApp only
- Booking relies on a browser and your confirmation
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
Rene vs Poke: questions
Is Rene better than Poke?
On our rubric, Poke scores higher (7.1 vs 7.0). Rene is still the better pick if you're often arranging plans with other people and like the idea of your agents coordinating them.
Which is cheaper, Rene or Poke?
Rene: free to start, free plan: yes (as of November 2026). Poke: from $19/mo, free plan: yes (as of November 2026).