Howie alternatives
An AI calendar secretary you CC on an email thread or text, which books, reschedules, protects focus time and chases replies for you.
Alternatives by use case
Start with Wordware
Help with ongoing context
Wordware operates Sauna, an AI assistant with shared memory across iMessage, Slack, email and the web, alongside a separate natural-language workflow builder (Wordware v1) with visual triggers, branching, code steps and an API.
Compare the alternatives
| Assistant | A good fit for | Pricing | Ongoing memory | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howie | Founders and execs who want meetings booked over email without adopting a new app. | $25–$2,500/mo scaling with credits (1,250 to 150,000 credits/mo); optional Pro custom-domain assistant email +$20/mo; Enterprise custom | Limited | No |
| Wordware | Help with ongoing context | Free–$999/mo | Yes | No |
 Boski | Everyday help in WhatsApp | $5.00/week, charged weekly (Stripe web checkout); 5,000 credits per one-week allowance period; no monthly or annual price published | Yes | Yes |
 Ace by Automat | Cloud-based project work | Workforce: $1,800 per month billed annually ($21,600 a year) or $2,000 per month month-to-month after a 7-day free trial, no per-seat pricing. Enterprise (managed automations): custom, "scoped to the outcomes you need". | Yes | Yes |
 OpenClaw | Control over your own setup | Free (MIT open source; you pay your own model provider, or reuse a Claude/ChatGPT subscription) | Yes | Yes |
 Lindy | Meetings and follow-up documents | $29.99–$199.99/user/mo (Plus/Pro/Max), Enterprise custom | Yes | No |
Each alternative in detail
01
Wordware: help with ongoing context
Wordware operates Sauna, an AI assistant with shared memory across iMessage, Slack, email and the web, alongside a separate natural-language workflow builder (Wordware v1) with visual triggers, branching, code steps and an API.
- Remembers you between conversations
- Reads your existing files and apps
Where you can use it
Web / desktop, iMessage, Slack, Email
02
Boski: everyday help in WhatsApp
Personal agent that remembers preferences, works between conversations and checks in on progress toward goals. It also has what Howie lacks: WhatsApp.
- Remembers you between conversations
- Reminds and nudges you
The trade-off. Unlike Howie, it has no security certification or shared workspaces.
Where you can use it
Web / desktop, WhatsApp, iMessage, Email
03
Ace by Automat: cloud-based project work
An AI teammate with its own Mac, inbox and phone number that you reach on Slack, Teams, email, text, WhatsApp or a phone call, and that does the work inside the tools you already use. It also has what Howie lacks: cloud computer and document creation.
- Gives it a cloud computer of its own
- Browses the web for you
- Creates and edits documents
Where you can use it
WhatsApp, iMessage, Slack, Email
04
OpenClaw: control over your own setup
A self-hosted, MIT-licensed gateway that connects 29+ chat apps to an AI agent running on your own machine, with shell access, a browser, memory, cron automations and MCP. It also has what Howie lacks: self-hosting and open source code.
- Run it on your own server
- Open source
The trade-off. Unlike Howie, it has no email or security certification.
Where you can use it
Web / desktop, Mobile app, WhatsApp, iMessage, Telegram, Slack
05
Lindy: meetings and follow-up documents
A Slack-native AI teammate that runs your inbox, calendar and meetings, and takes on multi-step work across 1,000+ connected apps. It also has what Howie lacks: meeting capture and document creation.
- Joins and records your meetings
- Creates and edits documents
Where you can use it
Web / desktop, iMessage, Slack, Email
Questions about Howie alternatives
What is a good alternative to Howie?
Start with Wordware for help with ongoing context. Boski suits everyday help in WhatsApp. Ace by Automat suits cloud-based project work.
How do the prices compare with Howie?
Howie: $25–$2,500/mo scaling with credits (1,250 to 150,000 credits/mo); optional Pro custom-domain assistant email +$20/mo; Enterprise custom. Wordware: Free–$999/mo. Boski: $5.00/week, charged weekly (Stripe web checkout); 5,000 credits per one-week allowance period; no monthly or annual price published.
Is there a free alternative to Howie?
Yes. OpenClaw can be used for free. Self-hosting OpenClaw still costs hosting and model usage.
Prefer an assistant you can message?
Notis takes tasks from WhatsApp, iMessage, Telegram, Slack and email.
Written by Notis, which makes an AI assistant. No placement on this page is paid.