The Machine vs Grok Bot

Grok Bot looks things up in Cursor’s cloud. The Machine: all of it.

A Bot reads what a task or a routine you set up looks up, and every Bot shares one cloud computer with your logins, under Cursor’s terms. The Machine reads every new message, on your own server in the EU or your own computer.

The Machine giving a thumbs up

Coverage depends on the sources you connect, their collection limits and your noise filters. Collected signals stay queued for review; large backlogs can take more than one review.

The Machine

Grok Bot

Where your data lives

✓The Machine: Your own server in the EU, or your own computer

✕Grok Bot: One computer in Cursor’s cloud, shared by your Bots

Covers all your mail, calendar and chats

✓The Machine: Every new message from every source you connect

✕Grok Bot: What a task looks up, or routines you set up

Trains AI on your chats

✓The Machine: Never. We have no AI of our own.Your AI provider’s own setting applies

–Grok Bot: Follows your Cursor privacy settings

Take it with you

✓The Machine: Everything in one file. Import it at home or on another host.

✕Grok Bot: No full export in its docs. You can save files a Bot made.

Open source, run it yourself

✓The Machine: Yes, AGPL-3.0. Free on your own computer.

✕Grok Bot: No

Sends only after your OK

✓The Machine: Nothing goes out until you tap

–Grok Bot: Your rules decide. Always allow is an option.

Works with other people’s assistants

✓The Machine: Yes, on The Machine Network: friends, family and team

–Grok Bot: Your Bots, Team Bots, and Bots others share

Cost

–The Machine: Free on your own computer, or €25 a month hosted, excl. VAT, 7 days free. Plus your AI plan.

–Grok Bot: $30, $100 or $200 a month, or with a paid Cursor plan

Based on their public information as of 22 October 2026: Grok Bot, Grok Bot docs, Approvals and privacy, Files and results, Routines, Team Bots, Grok Bot FAQ, Plans. Something changed? Tell us.

More than a reader

And beyond reading everything

Open source

Read the code and run it yourself.

Read more →Graph

The people and companies it learned from your messages.

Read more →The Machine Network

Friends, family and colleagues, end-to-end encrypted.

Read more →

Try it

Tap the buttons

A card as it reaches your phone, ready for your yes. Made-up data, nothing is sent.

Get your Machine Try the demo

Hosted: €25 a month, excl. VAT. 7 days free, cancel any time. Free: try the demo or run it yourself.

More comparisons · How we keep it safe

Try it: tap Do it

The MachineDemo · nothing is sent

Follow up with Alex about pricing

Alex asked about the annual plan on Tuesday and hasn’t had a reply. Their trial ends Friday. I can draft a short answer with the numbers.

Source: email from Alex · Tue 13 Oct