App Showcase: Poe – Fast AI Chat

What it does

Poe is an aggregator platform for artificial intelligence. It provides a single interface to interact with a wide array of AI chatbots and models from different companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google. Users can ask questions, get help with writing, generate images, and experiment with various specialized bots tailored to specific tasks.

Where it shines

Poe excels at making the complex world of AI accessible. The app's strength is its breadth of models. A great example is the AI comparison feature (01:42), which lets a user ask a question to one bot and then, with a single tap, get a second opinion from another model. This is brilliant for both learning and getting better results. Another standout feature is the social feed of shared chats (04:07), which turns a utility tool into a discovery platform, providing endless inspiration for what to ask next.

UX highlights

• Just-in-time permissions: The app only asks for access to photos (00:45) or the camera (00:52) when the user actively tries to use those features, which builds trust.
• Clean, focused chat: The chat interface is minimal and familiar, focusing entirely on the conversation without unnecessary clutter.
• Clear bot discovery: The main dashboard organizes bots into logical categories like 'Official' and 'Popular', with user counts providing social proof.
• Multi-model suggestions: The app proactively suggests trying other models at the bottom of a response, guiding users to explore its core value.
• Simple image generation: The workflow for creating images is straightforward, with a clear prompt field and a prominent result display (03:36).
• Contextual profile completion: Instead of a long initial setup, the app prompts the user to complete their profile only when they try to perform an action that requires it (02:29).

Monetization & growth

Poe presents a soft paywall immediately after the user signs up and verifies their email (00:22). This screen offers a yearly subscription at a discount or a standard monthly plan. The user can skip this to use the free version of the app. Monetization is further integrated by marking certain high-powered bots as 'Subscriber Access' only, creating a clear incentive for users to upgrade as they explore the platform.

Who it’s for

Poe is for anyone curious about AI who wants to experiment with multiple models without managing separate accounts and subscriptions. It's ideal for power users, developers, and writers who need to compare outputs from different AI systems. It also serves casual users who want a versatile tool for tasks ranging from drafting an email to creating a unique image.

Notes & opportunities

The app's core strength is its multi-bot chat functionality. However, it also includes a social posting feature where users can add posts to their profile (05:58). This feels somewhat disconnected from the primary use case and could be confusing. Clarifying the purpose of the user profile and how it relates to the AI chats could create a more cohesive experience. For example, a profile could showcase a user's best bot creations or most interesting public conversations.