Frequently asked
questions.
Plain answers about what Pulse is, what it costs, what it does with your data, and what it does not. No marketing speak, no fine print, no "contact sales".
Is there a free tier?
No. Pulse is paid, with a 14-day trial. The trial includes single-model chat, 50 web-search queries per day, code-aware chat, and local notes. Cloud STT, multi-model hot-swap, and sync are PRO only. After 14 days the app works in read-only mode unless you upgrade.
What happens after the 14-day trial?
The app continues to work in read-only mode: you can view existing notes and chat with the local model, but you cannot create new notes, save chats, or use PRO features. Upgrade to PRO ($20/mo or $192/yr) to unlock full functionality.
Do I need to sign up for an account?
No. Pulse does not require an account, email, phone number, or sign-in. Download the installer, run it, open the app. The only thing PRO needs is a license key, which is delivered by email after checkout.
What does PRO add?
PRO adds multi-model hot-swap (switch between local models without restarting), voice input on desktop (cloud Whisper), unlimited web search, cross-device sync, and priority updates. The full list lives on the pricing page.
How much does PRO cost?
PRO Monthly is $20 per month. PRO Annual is $192 per year (save $48 vs monthly). There is no lifetime deal and no student discount. Billing is handled by Polar.sh. See the pricing page for the current tiers.
Can I use my own AI model?
Yes. Pulse for Windows talks to any OpenAI-compatible local endpoint. Ollama works out of the box (run
ollama serve and Pulse finds it). LM Studio, vLLM, llama.cpp, and any other server that speaks the OpenAI HTTP API also work. Pulse does not lock you to a provider or a model.Does Pulse work offline?
Yes, after the first install. The first launch pulls a small update-check and the OG image for share links; everything else runs locally. Once installed, Pulse works on a plane, on a train, or with the network unplugged. There is no required cloud connection and no always-on telemetry.
What is the data privacy story?
Pulse is local-first. Your notes, your chats, and your model never leave the device you installed Pulse on. There is no analytics, no crash reporting, no usage beacons, and no remote config. The code is on GitHub so you can read every byte Pulse sends. The full data model is on the privacy page.
Which platforms are supported?
Windows 10 and 11 (NSIS or MSI installer) and Android 7.0+ (sideloaded APK). iOS, macOS, and Linux are not currently shipping. The download page has the current list: /download/.
How do updates work?
Pulse checks for updates against a public manifest on this site. If a newer version is available, the app shows an in-app banner with a one-click download. Updates are not silent and not forced. You can disable update checks in settings.
How do I report a bug or suggest a feature?
Open an issue on the public GitHub repository. The repo lives under the same organization that hosts this site. Bug reports, feature requests, and pull requests are all welcome. There is no support email, no Discord, and no private ticket queue.