Apple Intelligence enhances writing and images across macOS. Nova is an autonomous agent with deep Mac automation and screen awareness. Two different AI philosophies.
Apple Intelligence and Nova take different approaches to AI on the Mac. Apple Intelligence is deeply integrated into the operating system — it provides writing tools, image generation (Image Playground), notification summaries, and enhanced Siri. It's available at no extra cost on supported devices. Nova is an autonomous agent focused on deep Mac automation: screen observation, iMessage management, Spotify control, memory consolidation, and a plugin marketplace. Apple Intelligence makes existing apps smarter; Nova adds entirely new automation capabilities. They complement each other well.
| Feature | Nova | Apple Intelligence |
|---|---|---|
| Runs locallyApple Intelligence uses a mix of on-device and Private Cloud Compute | ||
| Privacy-first architectureBoth prioritize privacy; different approaches | ||
| Writing toolsApple Intelligence excels at system-wide writing assistance | ||
| Image generationImage Playground and Genmoji | ||
| Screen awarenessApple Intelligence is adding Siri screen context in 2026 | ||
| iMessage automationApple Intelligence summarizes; Nova reads and sends | ||
| Deep app controlApple Intelligence enhances apps; Nova controls them | ||
| Custom personality | ||
| Memory and learningApple Intelligence does not learn user preferences | ||
| Automation marketplace | ||
| Voice controlBoth support voice; Siri is more deeply integrated |
Free download. No signup required. Runs locally on your Mac.
Download Nova FreemacOS 12+ · Apple Silicon · No cloud required
Yes. They serve different purposes and work well together. Apple Intelligence handles system-wide writing tools, notification summaries, and image generation. Nova handles deep automation — screen observation, iMessage management, Spotify control, and complex workflows. There's no conflict between them.
Apple Intelligence is included at no extra cost on supported devices (Macs with Apple Silicon, as of 2026). Nova is also free to download and use. Neither requires a subscription for core features.
Both prioritize privacy. Apple Intelligence uses on-device processing where possible and Private Cloud Compute for more complex tasks. Nova runs entirely on your Mac — no data ever leaves your device. If absolute data locality is your priority, Nova offers a stricter privacy guarantee.
As of 2026, Apple Intelligence is adding on-screen awareness to Siri, allowing it to understand what's displayed. Nova's screen observer has been a core feature from the start and provides continuous ambient monitoring that can trigger automations based on what it sees.