A growing number of AI agents can be texted like an ordinary person rather than requiring a separate app, according to a TechCrunch roundup of notable options. The agents can remember context, connect to existing apps and services, and complete tasks such as scheduling appointments, organising calendars, researching trips, sending emails, making reservations, shopping online or setting reminders.
Among the general-purpose assistants listed is Instinct, which raised $1 billion in September 2026 at a $10 billion valuation, following an earlier $350 million raise at a $2.5 billion valuation. The company says early users have used Instinct for tasks including planning trips, buying groceries, booking tickets and cancelling subscriptions. In September it began giving users dedicated email addresses for their assistants and has begun rolling out support for placing calls. Instinct remains in private beta.
Other entries target specific needs. Caddy, available in public beta since April 2026, connects to calendars and conversations to identify actions and can add events, set reminders and do research. Comma manages tasks across work and everyday life, is free to start and open source, and is accessible through messaging apps including Signal, Telegram and WeChat. Folk runs on its own private cloud computer, launched its beta in May 2026, and offers a Pro subscription at $8.33 per month for unlimited background tasks.
Family-focused agents include Fambot, which launched in beta in early September 2026 and has raised $3.5 million in pre-seed funding. It sends a nightly summary of the following day and connects to Gmail, Google Calendar, Outlook and WhatsApp, with Apple Calendar support planned. The service is free during beta, but Fambot expects to eventually charge roughly the equivalent of a Netflix subscription. Ohai is another family assistant aimed at managing household information and tasks.
Travel-focused Miso operates through iMessage and combines AI trip planning with support from a dedicated travel team, taking account of preferences and loyalty points. Martin is reachable through SMS, phone, WhatsApp, email, Slack and its own iOS app, with subscriptions starting at $21 per month. Iris, powered by Hermes Agent, lets users delegate tasks through iMessage and is designed to follow up proactively.