Instinct vs Martin

Instinct

• People who would rather text or phone an assistant than learn a new app
• Personal errands that involve phone calls, bookings and online orders
• Google Workspace users who want one assistant across mail, calendar and files

Martin

• People who want to run email, calendar and reminders by text or phone call
• Scheduling meetings by copying an assistant on an email thread
• iPhone users who want reminders delivered by SMS, call or Slack

Instinct

• Access is restricted: the invite page works only from a link sent by an existing member, and the terms refer to a waitlist.
• No prices are published. The terms say fees may be charged for certain features, payable in US dollars.
• By default the terms allow your materials to be used to train AI models; you can opt out in settings. Vault and Google Workspace data are excluded.
• The terms and privacy policy name a Mac app and mobile apps, but the public site links only to web sign-in.

Martin

• There is no free plan: every plan is paid after a 7-day trial, from $21 a month billed yearly or $35 billed monthly.
• Wake-up calls, Cc to Schedule, email triage and proactive drafts are available only to Pro users, according to Martin's documentation.
• The only mobile app listed is for iPhone and iPad; the site and documentation mention no Android app.
• Inbox connections cover Gmail and Outlook only, and the Basic plan limits Martin to 2 tasks at a time.

Instinct

Reached by text or phone call

There is no separate chat app to learn: you text the assistant or call it. Sign-in on the web is by a one-time code sent to your phone number.

Acts on a phone and a computer

The site says Instinct can use a phone and a computer as a person would. Its examples include disputing a bill, sending gifts, ordering groceries and booking appointments.

Connected services

You authorize it to work in third-party sites and apps for you. Linking Google Workspace gives it Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides and Tasks.

Purchases on your behalf

It can buy things on connected services with a payment method you provide, such as booking a ride. The terms treat you, not Instinct, as the buyer in each transaction.

Vault

A separate store for sensitive material. The terms say items added to the Vault are used only to provide the service to you and are not used to train AI models.

Martin

Reachable by text, call, email and Slack

You can text Martin by SMS or WhatsApp, phone him, email or forward messages to him, or DM him in Slack. He can also text and call other people for you, for example to book a reservation.

Inbox drafting and triage

Connects up to 5 Gmail and 5 Outlook accounts to read, draft and reply to email. Email triage, a Pro feature, labels incoming mail and takes the follow-up steps you define.

Calendar and Cc to Schedule

Reads, creates and updates events in Google, Apple and Outlook calendars. On Pro, copying Martin on an email thread has him propose times and add the confirmed meeting.

Reminders, to-dos and notes

Keeps a to-do list and notes for you, and delivers reminders by app notification, SMS, phone call, email or Slack at the time you ask for.

Briefings and wake-up calls

Sends daily or weekly email briefings on the topics you choose. Pro users can also get a phone call each morning with the weather and the day's schedule.

Shortcuts

A saved shortcut runs a multi-step instruction on demand, such as checking your calendar, reminders, to-dos and unread email and texting you a summary.

Instinct

Pricing could not be confirmed. See instinct.com.

Martin

• Basic$21

  per month, billed yearly; $35 billed monthly

  Basic AI models, limited proactive actions, and Martin handles 2 tasks at a time.

• Pro$30

  per month, billed yearly; $49 billed monthly

  Martin's most advanced AI models, unlimited proactive actions and unlimited custom tasks.

• Business$36

  per month, billed yearly; $59 billed monthly

  Everything in Pro, plus centralized billing and adding Martin to your Slack. The page does not say whether the price is per user.

Instinct

No public discounts listed.

Martin

• Annual discount

  About 40% less with yearly billing

  Basic is $21 a month billed yearly against $35 billed monthly, Pro is $30 against $49 and Business is $36 against $59, a saving of roughly 39% to 40%.