What it does
Poe acts as a central hub for interacting with a diverse range of AI models. Instead of using multiple apps or websites, users can access and chat with models like GPT, Claude, Gemini, and others from one place. The app is designed for both general-purpose queries and more specialized tasks like image generation, programming help, and in-depth research, serving as an aggregator for the growing landscape of generative AI.
Where it shines
Poe’s strength lies in its breadth and user-centric discovery tools. The home screen (01:35) neatly categorizes bots by function ('Official', 'Budget-friendly', 'Search'), making it easy for users to find the right tool for the job. The standout feature is the in-chat comparison tool (03:00). After receiving a response from one bot, the user can instantly ask another bot the same question with a single tap. This allows for direct, real-time evaluation of different models, which is a powerful way to understand their unique capabilities.
UX highlights
- Bot Discovery: Bots are organized into clear, thematic rows on the home screen, and a dedicated search function with filters ('Official', 'Image', 'Video') simplifies discovery (04:38).
- Group Chat Functionality: Users can create group chats and invite others via a link or from their contacts (01:49), turning a solo AI tool into a collaborative workspace.
- Transparent Usage Costs: Tapping the 'Rates' button on a bot's profile (00:52) reveals a clear breakdown of 'compute points' costs per token, educating users on the relative expense of different models.
- Context Clearing: A simple 'Context cleared' button (02:18) allows users to reset the conversation memory, a useful utility for starting fresh without creating a new chat.
- Integrated Social Feed: Users have public profiles and can create posts (05:43), adding a community and content discovery layer on top of the AI utility.
- Image Analysis: The app seamlessly handles multimodal input, allowing users to upload an image and ask questions about it directly in the chat interface (02:23).
Monetization & growth
The app presents a soft paywall immediately after the email verification step in onboarding (00:23). It defaults to a yearly subscription that highlights a 'Save 17%' discount and frames the cost in a monthly breakdown ($16.67/mo) to make it seem more affordable. A monthly plan is available but requires an extra tap to see. The value propositions are clearly listed with checkmarks. Later in the experience, usage limits trigger another paywall (03:28), indicating a freemium model based on 'compute points' that reset over time. The app also encourages growth by prompting users to sync and invite contacts (01:21).
Who it’s for
Poe is for anyone from AI enthusiasts and developers to students and professionals who use multiple AI models regularly. It appeals to power users who want to compare model outputs for quality and nuance, as well as casual users who want a single, convenient app for various AI tasks. The social posting feature also suggests a target audience of creators and community builders who are interested in sharing their AI-driven discoveries.
Notes & opportunities
The onboarding flow is high-friction, requiring sign-up, a paywall decision, and profile creation before the user can interact with any bots. Offering a limited guest mode to try a basic bot first could improve activation. While the 'compute points' system is transparent, the remaining points and reset timer are somewhat buried in the subscription screen (06:23). Surfacing this information more prominently on the main chat screen could help free users manage their usage more effectively and better understand the value of subscribing.