Reduz · Head-to-head
Sider vs Reduz: multi-model sidebar or local-first summaries?
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ReduzUpdated May 11, 2026Side-by-side comparison
Sider is a multi-model side-panel AI assistant covering chat, summarization, writing, translation, and PDF analysis on a tiered subscription. Reduz is intentionally smaller — focused summarization with your AI requests going directly from your browser when you bring your own AI key, 100 monthly hosted credits with no card and no hidden caps, and local history. Pick by whether you want a broad assistant or a transparent summarizer.
Quick verdict
Feature comparison
The categories below cover what most readers compare when deciding between Reduz and Sider — source coverage, privacy approach, your own AI key support, history and exports, and price.
| Category | Reduz | Sider |
|---|---|---|
| Primary job | Summaries for videos, PDFs, articles, webpages, selected text, and transcripts. | General sidebar assistant and multi-model chat. |
| Provider keys | Provider API keys stay in Chrome storage on your device. | Server-proxied AI features. |
| History | Local searchable summary history with export. | Assistant-centered history and workspace flow. |
| Free path | 100 free credits a month plus no-account bring your own AI key. | Free tier with subscription upgrades. |
Output fit
Anya needs a clean summary trail from a YouTube video, a PDF research report, and an article — and wants to know exactly what each summary will cost before clicking.
What Reduz produces
- YouTube transcript summary with timestamps — 1 credit on Hosted Free, or pennies when you bring your own AI key.
- PDF report summarized from the open Chrome tab — 2 credits on Hosted Free.
- Article summarized inline with the side panel — 1 credit.
- Total: 4 credits of 100 monthly credits. Visible accounting, no hidden ceiling.
- Or use your own Anthropic key — unlimited, request goes directly from your browser.
What Sider produces
- YouTube summary via Sider's side panel.
- PDF summary plus document chat in the same panel.
- Article summary plus multi-model chat for follow-up questions.
- Tiered subscription model — verify credit limits and renewal terms before committing.
- Source text and prompts route through Sider's backend before reaching the model.
Privacy and architecture
Broad assistant subscription vs focused transparent summarizer
Sider is a paid subscription product where source text and prompts route through Sider's backend before reaching a model provider. Reduz is built around a transparent credit model: Hosted Free includes 100 monthly credits with visible counts, a flat 1 credit per article/video/webpage and 2 per PDF. Bringing your own AI key is genuinely unlimited (you pay your selected provider directly). Provider keys stay in Chrome extension storage and source text goes directly from your browser to the AI provider you chose — no Reduz server in the middle. Summary history stays on your device, not in a vendor account. Click-only permission, no analytics, no telemetry.
Frequently asked questions
Does Reduz include multi-model chat like Sider?
No. Reduz supports multiple AI providers (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, DeepSeek, xAI) for summaries, but the product surface stays focused on source-grounded outputs. There is no general chat panel. If you want chat alongside summary, Sider or Monica fits that scope.
Is Reduz cheaper than Sider for daily summarization?
For most users, yes. Reduz Hosted Free is 100 monthly credits with no card — covers casual daily use. Your own AI key is unlimited because you pay your provider directly (cents per summary on Haiku or Mini models). Sider starts at $4.20/mo for the small tier and reviewers report hitting tier caps on the "unlimited" plan.
Does Sider support BYOK like Reduz?
No. Sider has a multi-model dropdown but requests route through Sider's servers using Sider's keys — you choose a model brand, you don't bring your own key. Reduz bring your own AI key uses your provider API key with the request going direct from your browser to the provider.
How does Reduz's credit accounting work?
Hosted Free includes 100 monthly credits with a flat schedule: 1 credit per article / webpage / YouTube / selected-text / transcript summary, 2 credits per PDF. The remaining credit count is visible in the extension at all times. bring your own AI key does not use credits — you pay the AI provider you chose directly.
Is Reduz free?
Yes. Reduz includes 100 free credits a month. Using your own AI key removes the credit limit.
Do I need an account?
Not when you use your own AI key. An account is only needed for free credits, paid plans, or cloud backup.
Where is my data stored?
Summary history is stored in your browser. Cloud backup is opt-in and encrypted on your device before upload.
Which AI providers does Reduz support?
Reduz supports OpenAI, Anthropic Claude, Google Gemini, DeepSeek, and xAI Grok. You can also use free credits without setting up an AI account.