Short answer: Instinct: Personal assistant you text or call; it uses a phone and computer the way people do to handle everyday tasks. Poke: Proactive assistant on iMessage, WhatsApp, Telegram with many integrations
Instinct vs Poke
Sourced facts only. “Unknown” means not verified yet.
Key facts side by side
| Criterion | Instinct | Poke |
|---|---|---|
| Type | personal agent | personal agent |
| Vendor | Spear Street Technology (per TechCrunch) | The Interaction Company of California |
| Channels / category | Text or phone call (per instinct.com) | Apple Messages, WhatsApp, Telegram and more |
| Pricing / availability | Free, invite-only beta (per Fortune, 30 Sep 2026) | Free USD 0; Pro USD 19/month; higher Ultra tier (per poke.com) |
| Launched | 2026-02 | 2025-09-08 |
| Funding (reported) | USD 250M Series B at USD 2.5B valuation (Aug 2026); USD 1B Series C at USD 10B valuation (Sep 2026) | USD 15M seed (2025) + USD 10M at USD 300M post-money (TechCrunch, Apr 2026); acquired by Cognition, Jul 2026 (PitchBook) |
| Channels confirmed | SMS/text, Phone call | iMessage, WhatsApp, Telegram |
| Verified facts | Interface: 'You can text or call it. It can use a phone and computer in the same way that humans do.'; Example tasks on its site: disputing a bill, sending gifts, ordering groceries, scheduling doctor's appointments, planning a getaway; Private beta launched February 2026 (Fortune, citing WSJ); invite-only beta since August 2026; Raised USD 250M Series B (Index Ventures, Benchmark) at USD 2.5B valuation; total USD 350M at the time; Raised USD 1B Series C (Sequoia, Benchmark, Coatue) at USD 10B valuation, 28 Sep 2026; Privacy concerns were raised online about broad app permissions (TechCrunch) | Proactive assistant on Apple Messages, WhatsApp, Telegram and more (its site); Plans: Free (USD 0) and Pro (USD 19/month) with frontier models and background automations; Added USD 10M on top of a USD 15M seed; valued at USD 300M post-money; Acquired by Cognition on 24 Jul 2026 (PitchBook profile) |
| Website | https://instinct.com | https://poke.com |
| Sources | [1] [2] [3] [4] | [1] [2] [3] |
| Last checked | 2026-10-12 | 2026-10-12 |
Frequently asked questions
What is Instinct?
Personal assistant you text or call; it uses a phone and computer the way people do to handle everyday tasks.
What is Poke?
Proactive assistant on iMessage, WhatsApp, Telegram with many integrations
How much does Instinct cost?
Free, invite-only beta (per Fortune, 30 Sep 2026)
How much does Poke cost?
Free USD 0; Pro USD 19/month; higher Ultra tier (per poke.com)
Are Instinct and Poke the same type of agent?
Instinct is listed as a personal agent and Poke as a personal agent.
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