Key takeaways
- Voice never leaves your device — privacy-first alternative to Alexa, Google Home, and Siri
- No ads, no upsells, no corporate agenda — built by one developer who "got tired of putting a salesman in the kitchen"
- Early stage (closed beta) but functional — YouTube Music, Google Calendar, everyday questions and commands
FAQ
What is Viola?
A privacy-focused voice assistant that handles music, calendar, timers, and questions without collecting data or showing ads. Voice processing happens on-device.
How much does Viola cost?
Free forever for basic commands. $10/month Founder tier for unlimited advanced conversations and personalization during beta.
How does Viola compare to Alexa or Google Home?
Viola prioritizes privacy (voice stays on device) and has no ads or upsells. Trade-off: fewer integrations and still in beta.
Executive Summary
Viola is a privacy-first voice assistant built by a solo developer in Wisconsin as an alternative to corporate voice assistants. The core promise: your voice never leaves your device, there are no ads, and no upsells. It's designed to be a home assistant that works for you, not for shareholders.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Company | Indie (solo developer) |
| Founded | ~2025 |
| Funding | Bootstrapped |
| Stage | Closed Beta |
| Location | Wisconsin, USA |
Product Overview
Viola emerged from frustration with existing voice assistants that prioritize advertising and data collection over user experience. The developer describes being "tired of asking a simple question and getting a sales pitch in return."
The assistant handles typical home assistant tasks:
- Music playback — YouTube Music integration, Spotify improvements coming
- Calendar — Google Calendar integration
- Everyday tasks — Timers, weather, conversions, questions
- General knowledge — Recipes, facts, explanations
Key Differentiators
| Feature | Viola | Alexa/Google |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | Voice on-device | Cloud-processed |
| Ads | None | Promotional responses |
| Data collection | Minimal | Extensive |
| Corporate agenda | None | Revenue-driven |
| Payment options | Bitcoin accepted | Standard only |
Capabilities
Basic Commands (Free)
Quick, direct requests:
- "Play jazz music"
- "Set a timer for 10 minutes"
- "What's the weather?"
- "Skip this song"
- "What time is it in Tokyo?"
Advanced Conversations (Founder)
Back-and-forth dialogue and learning:
- "What can I substitute for buttermilk?"
- "Tell me a bedtime story"
- "Help me plan a dinner party menu"
- "Why is the sky blue?"
- Remembering preferences over time
Technical Architecture
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Voice processing | On-device (privacy-first) |
| Music services | YouTube Music (Apple Music, Spotify coming) |
| Calendar | Google Calendar |
| Multi-room | Planned |
| Platforms | TBD (closed beta) |
Strengths
- True privacy — Voice never leaves device; fundamentally different architecture than cloud assistants
- No ads or upsells — Refreshing contrast to Amazon/Google's ad-driven models
- Indie/bootstrapped — No VC pressure to monetize user data
- Bitcoin payments — Maximum privacy option for payment
- Clear philosophy — "Works for you, not shareholders"
Cautions
- Very early stage — Closed beta, limited availability
- Solo developer — Sustainability and feature velocity uncertain
- Limited integrations — Only YouTube Music and Google Calendar currently
- No app yet — Download page is "coming soon" email signup
- Unproven scalability — One person building in spare time
Pricing
| Tier | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 forever | Unlimited basic commands, limited advanced, one device |
| Founder | $10/mo | Unlimited advanced, personalization, priority support |
Payment options: Credit card, Bitcoin (for maximum privacy)
Refunds: Yes, anytime
Competitive Positioning
Vs. Corporate Assistants (Alexa, Google, Siri)
Viola trades ecosystem breadth for privacy and independence:
- No smart home integrations (yet)
- No third-party skills marketplace
- But: No data harvesting, no ads, no corporate agenda
Vs. Self-Hosted (Home Assistant, Mycroft)
Viola is simpler but less powerful:
- No complex setup or hardware requirements
- But: Fewer integrations, less customizable
When to Choose Viola
- Choose Viola when: Privacy is paramount and you want simple voice commands without setup complexity
- Choose Alexa/Google when: You need extensive smart home integrations and ecosystem
- Choose Home Assistant when: You want maximum control and are willing to self-host
Ideal Customer Profile
Best fit:
- Privacy-conscious users frustrated with corporate data collection
- People who want basic voice commands without smart home complexity
- Early adopters willing to support indie development
- Users who prefer paying for products rather than being the product
Poor fit:
- Users needing extensive smart home integrations
- Those requiring Apple Music or Spotify (not yet supported)
- Anyone needing guaranteed uptime and enterprise support
Viability Assessment
| Factor | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Financial Health | Uncertain (solo bootstrapped) |
| Market Position | Niche (privacy-focused) |
| Innovation Pace | Slow (spare-time project) |
| Community | Nascent |
| Long-term Outlook | Uncertain but promising philosophy |
The solo-developer model is both strength and weakness. No VC pressure, but also no runway or team. Success depends on whether paid tiers can sustain development.
Roadmap
Per the about page:
- Apple Music integration
- Spotify improvements
- Multi-room audio
Bottom Line
Viola represents what voice assistants could be if privacy came first. Built by one developer who "got tired of putting a salesman in the kitchen," it's a refreshing alternative to corporate assistants.
Recommended for: Privacy-conscious users who want simple voice commands and are willing to sacrifice ecosystem breadth for data independence.
Not recommended for: Anyone needing smart home integrations, multiple music services, or enterprise reliability.
Outlook: Early and uncertain, but the philosophy is sound. Worth watching for anyone frustrated with corporate voice assistants. The closed beta status means it's not yet practical for most users.
Research by Ry Walker Research • methodology