Choose Pie if…
you want source code you can audit, your own API key with requests going straight to your provider, no product analytics, and built-in Skills, Schedules, and record & replay.
Add to Chrome
Comparison
Pie vs Sider: which Chrome AI assistant fits you?
Sider is a widely used AI sidebar with chat, reading, and writing tools sold through credit-based plans. Pie is a free, open-source AI assistant for Chrome that works with your own API key and focuses on finishing browser work — summarizing, filling forms, and running scheduled or recorded workflows.
Short version: pick Sider for a mature sidebar toolkit if credits fit how you work; pick Pie for open code, your own key, no product analytics, and automation that acts on pages.
Side by side.
| Pie | Sider | |
|---|---|---|
| Source code | Open source, Apache-2.0 | Closed source |
| Price model | Free with your own API key; optional Membership | Credit-based subscription plans |
| Bring your own key | Yes — keys encrypted on your device | Not offered |
| Automation | Skills, Schedules, and record & replay built in | Chat and reading/writing tools |
| Product analytics | None | Per Sider's privacy policy |
| Model choice | Any provider via your key, or the Membership lineup | Model list chosen by the vendor |
Choose Sider if…
you want a mature sidebar with chat, reading, and writing tools across browsers, and credit-based pricing fits how you work.
FAQ
Questions, answered.
Is Pie really free?
Yes. Pie is open source and free with your own API key — you pay your model provider directly. An optional Membership ($2.99 first month, then $5.99/month) removes key setup.
Does Pie use credits like Sider?
No. With your own API key you pay your provider directly with no credit system in between; Membership is a flat monthly price.
How do I switch from Sider to Pie?
Install Pie from the Chrome Web Store, add your API key or start Membership — there is no data to migrate because Pie works directly on the pages you open.
Which is better for automation?
Pie treats automation as core: record a workflow, save it as a Skill, run it on a schedule. Sider centers on chat and content assistance.
Put Pie to work in Chrome.
Install Pie, describe what you need, and let it handle the browser work.