Top AI Agents That Live in Your Text Messages: Complete Guide

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TL;DR: A growing number of AI agents can now be accessed directly through text messages instead of requiring separate apps. These agents range from general-purpose assistants like Instinct and Folk to specialized tools for families (Fambot, Ollie, Orbits) and travel (Miso), with pricing from free to $100+ per month.

What's New

Rather than downloading yet another app, AI agents are increasingly accessible through ordinary text messages. Users can text these agents like they would a friend, and the agents remember context, connect to existing apps and services, and complete tasks autonomously. Tasks range from scheduling appointments and organizing calendars to researching trips, sending emails, making reservations, shopping online, and setting reminders.

TechCrunch has compiled a comprehensive list of the most notable AI agents available via SMS, iMessage, RCS, and other messaging platforms. These agents fall into several categories: general-purpose personal assistants, family-focused tools, travel specialists, and work-oriented solutions.

General-Purpose Assistants

Several agents serve as all-purpose digital assistants. Instinct, which raised $1 billion in September 2026 at a $10 billion valuation, allows users to communicate by text or voice and can take actions rather than simply answer questions. It recently began offering dedicated email addresses for assistants to create and manage accounts on users' behalf and is rolling out phone call support.

Folk runs on its own private cloud computer and can execute multi-step tasks through iMessage, WhatsApp, and Telegram. It launched in beta in May 2026. Martin works across SMS, phone, WhatsApp, email, Slack, and its iOS app, managing calendars, email, and communications while acting on users' behalf. Maverick operates in iMessage and asks for permission before taking action, offering hundreds of integrations including Discord, Gmail, and Slack.

Caddy turns scattered phone information into actionable items, living in iMessage for iPhone users and RCS for Android users. Available in public beta since April 2026, it connects to calendars and conversations to identify tasks requiring action. Comma manages tasks across work and everyday life, accessible through Signal, Telegram, and WeChat, and is free and open source.

Family-Focused Solutions

Several agents specifically target household management. Fambot serves as an AI "chief of staff" for families, organizing school communications, sports activities, meal planning, and calendars. It launched in beta in early September 2026 after raising $3.5 million in pre-seed funding and sends nightly summaries of the following day's events.

Ollie, launched in June 2026, distinguishes itself as one of the first mainstream family-focused AI assistants to achieve SOC 2 compliance, a widely used security standard. Orbits works through both its app and text messaging, bringing together calendars, lists, and conversations while executing tasks like web searches, purchases, and restaurant bookings. Ohai transforms messages, forwarded emails, and voice requests into schedules, reminders, and plans for families.

Specialized Agents

Ask Proxy claims to "think like a woman," anticipating needs before users ask. It offers both personal and work-focused versions, proactively reaching out when it notices something users might forget. Miso applies the personal-assistant concept specifically to travel, operating through iMessage and combining AI trip planning with support from a dedicated travel team.

Iris, powered by Hermes Agent, lets users delegate tasks through iMessage while retaining context from previous interactions. Pally connects information across WhatsApp, Gmail, calendars, and Google Drive to help users track plans, receipts, and files. Poke works over iMessage, RCS, and Telegram, giving access to apps users already rely on.

Pricing and Availability

Pricing varies widely across these agents. Several offer free tiers or are currently free during beta periods, including Comma (free and open source), Fambot (free during beta, eventually roughly equivalent to a Netflix subscription), Instinct (private beta), Maverick (free in beta), and Pally (free plan available).

Paid options range from budget-friendly to premium: Ask Proxy costs $1 per day for personal use ($15-23 per employee per month for businesses), Folk offers a Pro subscription at $8.33/month, Martin starts at $21/month, Maverick Pro costs €27/month (approximately $30.25 USD), Ohai starts at $9.99/month based on family size, Ollie offers plans from $25/month (150 messages) to $100/month (1,000 messages), and Caddy has been in public beta since April 2026.

How to Try It

Most agents are accessible through standard messaging platforms. Ask Proxy works over SMS (text "start" to 820-732-2625). Caddy lives in iMessage for iPhone users and RCS for Android users. Folk is available through iMessage, WhatsApp, and Telegram. Comma works across Signal, Telegram, and WeChat.

Several agents require joining waitlists or beta programs. Instinct remains in private beta, while Fambot, Maverick, and Caddy are in public beta. Others like Martin, Ollie, and Orbits are generally available with various subscription plans.

Who It's For

These AI agents serve different audiences. General-purpose assistants like Instinct, Folk, Martin, and Maverick target individuals seeking help with everyday tasks and productivity. Family-focused agents like Fambot, Ollie, Ohai, and Orbits specifically address household management challenges, including coordinating multiple family members' schedules and responsibilities.

Ask Proxy targets both individuals and businesses, with separate pricing for personal and work use. Miso serves travelers who want AI-assisted trip planning combined with human support. Caddy and Pally appeal to users who want to consolidate information scattered across their phones and apps.

Alternatives

Beyond text-based AI agents, users can explore traditional productivity tools. ClickUp offers comprehensive task and project management with AI features. Superhuman provides AI-powered email management for those who prefer a dedicated email client over an AI agent.

For conversational AI assistance, Perplexity Pro offers advanced AI-powered research and question-answering capabilities. ChatBase allows users to create custom AI chatbots. Automation platforms like Make enable users to build custom workflows connecting various apps and services without relying on a single AI agent.