A ChatGPT alternative that keeps your conversations in Canada.
Yes: Orvel AI is a conversational AI assistant built in Québec, Canada, by Zenitech. Your account and conversations are stored in Québec, and its written replies are produced by AI models on a server Zenitech operates there. Some features (photo analysis, voice, image and video creation, web search, document creation) use outside providers, mostly in the United States.
Free plan · no credit card · replies in English or French · app interface in French
If you want a ChatGPT-style assistant whose conversations are not stored by a US company, Orvel AI is one option: built by Zenitech in Québec, Canada, with accounts and conversations kept in Québec. The Free plan costs $0; Plus is $39 CAD per month and Pro $275 CAD per month, taxes extra.
What is hosted in Québec, and what is not
Straight from our privacy policy (published in French), so you know exactly where your data goes.
| Feature | Where it is processed |
|---|---|
| Your account, profile, memories and conversations | Stored in Québec, on a server operated by Zenitech |
| Written replies to your questions | Produced by AI models on that same server; your conversations are not sent to another company to be answered |
| Photo analysis, Orvel's voice, video creation | Google (Gemini), through Vercel's AI gateway |
| Image creation | OpenAI and Black Forest Labs, through Vercel's AI gateway (OpenAI is also the backup voice) |
| Web search | Perplexity, through Vercel's AI gateway (the question only, without your name) |
| PDF, web page and site creation | Anthropic (Claude), through Vercel's AI gateway |
| Voice dictation (microphone) | Your browser's speech recognition |
| App traffic | Vercel (United States); messages pass through without being stored |
Outside providers only receive what is needed, and only when you use that feature. Full list: privacy policy (French).
Orvel or ChatGPT: the real differences
| Orvel AI | ChatGPT | |
|---|---|---|
| Company | Zenitech, Québec (Canada) | OpenAI, San Francisco (United States) |
| Where written questions are answered | On a Zenitech server in Québec | On OpenAI's infrastructure |
| Where conversations are stored | In Québec | With OpenAI |
| Privacy law | Privacy policy written for Québec's Law 25, a named person in charge of privacy, download or delete your data from your profile | See OpenAI's policy |
| Price | Free, Plus $39/month, Pro $275/month (CAD, taxes extra) | See openai.com/chatgpt/pricing |
When ChatGPT may be the better choice
If you need the largest ecosystem of plugins and integrations, an English interface, or highly specialized features, the big US assistants offer more. Orvel focuses on something else: where your conversations live, a clear privacy policy, and a team in Québec you can talk to.
What it costs
Pro
Orvel's most capable mode, 60 images, 5 videos and 100 documents per day.
Pro plan (French page) →No commitment: cancel any time from your profile. Payments by ZeniPay.
A Canadian AI assistant for your business
Zenitech deploys Orvel on your website, inbox and tools, automates repetitive work and maintains it. Projects are scoped with a clear price before work starts and delivered remotely, in English or French.
Also read: About Orvel AI and Zenitech.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a ChatGPT alternative that keeps data in Canada?
Yes. Orvel AI, built by Zenitech in Québec, stores accounts and conversations in Québec, Canada, and produces its written replies with AI models on a server Zenitech operates there. Some features (photo analysis, voice, images, video, web search, document creation) use outside providers, mostly in the United States, only when you use them.
Does Orvel use ChatGPT?
Not to answer your written questions: those replies come from AI models on Zenitech's server in Québec. OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, is used only for image creation and as a backup for Orvel's voice.
Does Orvel work in English?
Yes. Orvel replies in the language you write in, including English. The app interface itself is currently in French, and the privacy policy and terms are published in French.
Is Orvel free?
Yes. The Free plan costs $0 with no credit card. Paid plans are Plus at $39 CAD per month and Pro at $275 CAD per month, taxes extra, cancel any time.
Does Orvel comply with Québec's Law 25?
Orvel has a privacy policy written for Québec's Law 25, a named person in charge of protecting personal information (Alexandre Blais, Zenitech's founder), and you can download or delete all your data at any time. Your data is never sold and your conversations are not used to train AI models.
Can my business get its own Orvel?
Yes. Zenitech deploys Orvel on a company's website, inbox and tools, configures it with the company's offer, automates repetitive tasks and maintains it. Pricing is set per project after a first conversation.