Side by side
Kerna vs Pontius
Both stand on ai email assistants. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan MacWebWindows
Kerna brings triage, drafting, summaries, and translation into Gmail and Outlook, with user-triggered processing. Its Outlook mailbox requirements and token volumes are important to consider before choosing a plan.
Visit Kerna
Free trial LinuxMacWindows
Pontius combines a desktop email client with an AI-focused command-line tool and broad IMAP/SMTP connectivity. Its local storage and encrypted sync appeal to privacy-conscious users, while core sending and synchronization require the paid license.
Visit PontiusThe facts
| Kerna | Pontius | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | A free trial |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Mac, Web, Windows | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Standard: €12 a month | Lifetime License: $99, paid once |
| Plans published | 5 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | kerna.io | getpontius.com |
| On ai email assistants | #4 of 46 | #31 of 46 |
Kerna: what it does well
- Sorts open messages into built-in or custom categories.
- Drafts replies with intent and tone controls.
- Summarizes threads up to 50 messages.
- Translates messages and replies in 45 languages.
- Processes content only after a user action.
What to know first
- Outlook requires a Microsoft-hosted mailbox.
- POP and IMAP connections are unsupported.
- On-premises Exchange mailboxes are unsupported.
- Starter provides 30,000 tokens as trial volume.
Pontius: what it does well
- Inbox triage and AI reply drafting
- Supports IMAP/SMTP email providers
- Stores email data locally
- AES-256 encryption for sync data
- 30-day refund policy
What to know first
- No free plan
- Sending, replying, and sync require a license
- Linux desktop app is planned
- Lifetime License costs $99, paid once
Alternatives to Kerna Alternatives to Pontius The whole list