Rick Boers vs Martin
Explore what we can build. Examples describe possible workflows; integrations, hosting, and scope are agreed for your project.
Martin is a consumer personal AI assistant from Y Combinator-backed Martin AI (DCWU, Inc.) that you reach by phone call, SMS, WhatsApp, email, Slack, or Telegram. It manages your calendar, email inbox, reminders, to-dos, and notes, and can make calls and send texts on your behalf. It is actively maintained as of 2026, available as an iOS app and web app, and raised a $2M seed round in January 2025.
Rick Boers is an independent AI product builder. I design and build custom agents, document workflows, internal tools, and complete web and mobile applications, with one person owning the work from brief to delivery.
At a glance
| Comparison dimension | Rick Boers | Martin |
|---|---|---|
| Always-on computer | Hosting and runtime architecture are chosen for your project; dedicated VMs are one option. | No. Martin is a hosted assistant service acting through your connected accounts and the phone network; there is no per-user persistent machine, browser, or file system it operates. |
| Tool integrations | I build integrations around the tools your workflow needs. Access, permissions, API availability, and any service subscriptions are checked and scoped before implementation. | Small set: calendar (read/create/update events), email inbox (read/draft/reply), and Slack, plus built-in search (Google, Perplexity, Twitter, news/weather); a Google Drive integration launched in beta in September 2024 but is absent from the current docs, and there is no Notion, ClickUp, GitHub, Linear, or Stripe support. |
| Messaging channels | Messaging or web interfaces are implemented where supported and included in the agreed scope. | Phone calls, SMS, WhatsApp, email, Slack, and Telegram (added in the January 2026 iOS release), plus iOS app with voice mode and a web dashboard; it can also call and text other people on your behalf. |
| Persistent memory | Storage and memory can be designed for the workflow, with retention and access controls agreed first. | Learns your preferences over time and keeps notes, to-dos, and reminders it can read and edit from any channel; no user-visible files or disk. |
| Background automations | Scheduled and background jobs can be included with monitoring, limits, and human review where needed. | Proactive background actions: daily/weekly email briefings, email triage with auto labels, proactive email drafts, Cc-to-schedule, wake-up calls, reminders, and Shortcuts (custom multi-step action triggers); proactive actions are limited on Basic and unlimited on Pro. |
| Pricing | The first 20-minute fit call is free. Paid work is scoped individually. We agree the deliverables, price, and payment milestones before work begins; hosting and model costs depend on the system we build. | Check the provider’s current pricing and plan limits. |
Where Martin shines
- Real outbound phone calling: Martin can call you (wake-up calls with weather and schedule) and make calls or send texts to other people on your behalf, e.g. for reservations and scheduling.
- Unusually broad channel coverage for a consumer app: phone, SMS, WhatsApp, email, Slack, Telegram (added January 2026), plus an iOS voice mode and web dashboard.
- Polished, low-setup email and calendar automation: auto drafts and labels, email triage, daily/weekly email briefings, and Cc-Martin-to-schedule meetings.
- Simple flat subscription with unlimited proactive actions and custom tasks on Pro, so there are no usage credits to track.
- Active development and traction: YC-backed, $2M seed (January 2025), 4.3 stars from 264 App Store ratings, steady feature releases through early 2026.
Where it falls short
- Narrow integration surface: the current docs list calendar, email inbox, and Slack (plus built-in search via Google, Perplexity, and Twitter); a Google Drive integration shipped only as a beta in September 2024, and there is no Notion, ClickUp, GitHub, Linear, Stripe, or similar business-tool coverage.
- No dedicated computer or browser: Martin cannot log into arbitrary websites, run code, or work with files on its own machine, so it is limited to its built-in skills rather than open-ended work.
- The Basic plan restricts you to 2 tasks at a time with limited proactive actions and basic AI models; even Pro is a single assistant, not multiple agents working in parallel.
- iOS and web only; there is no Android app.
- Underlying models are not disclosed or selectable; plans only distinguish basic AI models from our most advanced AI models.
Choose Martin if…
- You want an assistant that literally uses the phone: wake-up calls, calling restaurants or contacts, and texting people on your behalf.
- Your needs are personal life admin (calendar, inbox zero, reminders, to-dos, notes) and you want a zero-setup consumer experience on iPhone.
- You prefer a flat, predictable subscription with unlimited proactive actions rather than metered usage credits.
- You mainly want to talk to an assistant over WhatsApp, SMS, or voice, not manage a workspace of agents.
Choose Rick Boers if…
- You need a custom workflow or product built around your team.
- You want one builder to own design, implementation, and delivery.
- Your project needs integrations or behavior beyond a packaged tool.
- You need a custom workflow or product built around your team.
Common questions
Is Martin better than Rick Boers?
This comparison is between using a packaged tool and commissioning a custom system. Provider features change; check current documentation. For a custom build, we agree the specific workflow, infrastructure, integrations, and operating responsibilities.
How much does Martin cost?
The first 20-minute fit call is free. Paid work is scoped individually. We agree the deliverables, price, and payment milestones before work begins; hosting and model costs depend on the system we build.
Can Martin make phone calls?
Yes, outbound voice is Martin's signature feature: it gives wake-up calls with your weather and schedule, and can call or text other people for things like reservations and scheduling. Rick Boers agents communicate over web chat, iMessage/SMS, Slack, WhatsApp, and Telegram and message you proactively, but Martin is the stronger pick if you specifically want an assistant on the phone.