About Plainly
Plainly is a simple AI chat app. Ask in your own words, get a useful answer. $5 a month. Unlimited chat.
Why we built it
Most people who are curious about AI do not want to study it. They want to draft an email, look something up, get a second opinion, or make a plan. The big AI tools can do all of that — but they cost $20 a month, and they keep asking you to pick a model, write a better prompt, or figure out a setting.
Anyone who can text a friend can use Plainly — no prompt tricks, no model picker, no setup. Ask, and get a usable answer.
How it works
Plainly runs on cheap, capable open-source models, starting with DeepSeek. When you ask a question, the app picks the best available model for you. You never see a model name, never make a technical choice, and never need to know how any of it works.
The result feels as clean and immediate as the big AI tools, at a fraction of the cost: $5 a month, unlimited chat. Your chats stay private, and they are never used to train AI models.
Who it's for
Plainly is for everyday questions — the kind you'd ask a knowledgeable friend. It is not for developers or AI professionals who need API access or control over which model runs the answer. Plenty of good tools exist for them. This one is for everyone else.
Who's behind it
Plainly was built by Tom Hill, who works at an AI startup and spends his days around this technology. He built it for the people in his life who were curious about AI but did not want a $20 a month subscription — and for everyone in the same position.
Tom also writes the Plainly articles: plain-English guides to getting good answers from AI. You can read more from him on the author page.
Questions
What is Plainly?
Plainly is a simple AI chat app. Ask in your own words, get a useful answer. It costs $5 a month with unlimited chat, and there is nothing to set up.
How much does Plainly cost?
Plainly costs $5 a month and includes unlimited chat. There is no free tier and no usage meter to watch.
Which AI models does Plainly use?
Plainly runs on cheap, capable open-source models, starting with DeepSeek. The app picks the best available model for you automatically — you never see a model name or make a technical choice.
Is Plainly good for beginners?
Yes. If you can text a friend, you can use Plainly — no prompt tricks, no model picker, no setup. It is built for people who want a useful answer without thinking about how AI works.
Who built Plainly?
Plainly was built by Tom Hill, who works at an AI startup and writes the Plainly articles. He built it for the people in his life who were curious about AI but did not want a $20 a month subscription.
How do I get help with Plainly?
Email support@withplainly.com and a person will read it.