Questions
If yours is not here, ask us.
The basics
What does CogniSphere do?
It adds a panel to your browser that reads the page you are on and answers questions about it — summarize an article, pull out an argument, explain a formula, or ask something specific.
Which browsers are supported?
Chrome and Edge, via the Chrome Web Store. Firefox builds exist but are not distributed yet.
Do I need an account?
No. The extension works fully signed out. An account only syncs settings across devices and attaches a Pro plan if you buy one.
API keys and models
Do I need an API key?
Only for cloud models. On Chrome 138+ the built-in on-device AI works with no key at all. Beyond that, yes — CogniSphere does not run an AI service. It is a client that talks to a provider you choose, using your credentials. That is what keeps your data out of our hands, and what keeps the extension free.
Which providers work?
On Chrome 138+, the built-in on-device AI works with no key. For cloud models: Google Gemini, OpenAI, Anthropic Claude, DeepSeek, xAI Grok, OpenRouter, and Ollama for models running on your own machine. OpenRouter in turn reaches GPT, Claude and many others through a single key.
What does it cost to run?
With on-device AI or Ollama, nothing — both run locally for free. With a cloud provider, you pay whatever that provider charges for the tokens you use, billed by them. Gemini also has a free tier that covers casual use.
Where is my API key stored?
In your browser's extension storage. It is sent only to the provider it belongs to, and never to CogniSphere.
Plans and billing
What does Pro unlock?
No features — and we would rather be straight about that. Every analysis capability is free for everyone. Pro adds account sync, priority email support, early access to new releases, and a badge in the panel. It exists so the project has funding. See the pricing page.
Is there a usage limit on the free plan?
No. There is no query cap on any plan, because we are not the ones serving the model — your provider's own limits are the only ones that apply.
Can I cancel?
Yes, from the billing page in your dashboard. Access continues until the end of the period you already paid for. Lifetime purchases never renew, so there is nothing to cancel. See the refund policy.
Privacy
What does CogniSphere collect?
If you have an account: your email and your plan. That is it. We do not receive the pages you visit, your questions, the answers, or your API keys. Full detail in the privacy policy.
Does page content go through your servers?
No. With on-device AI it never leaves your machine. With a cloud provider, the extension sends it directly from your browser to that provider. We are not in that path either way.