Anthropic now has a desktop app for Claude, its AI assistant

Anthropic is taking direct aim at the competition as it unveils desktop apps for its next-gen AI assistant, Claude, available on both Windows and macOS.

This new release follows the rollout of Claude’s mobile apps, which launched on iOS in May and Android in July, bringing the AI assistant across a full range of devices.

While the desktop version mirrors the web app's simplicity and functionality—allowing users to access previous chats and starred conversations—it offers the added convenience of launching directly from the desktop, removing the need to navigate through a browser.

Windows users, in particular, can choose between two app versions (x64 and ARM64), ensuring compatibility and performance tailored to their systems. And for those who find web browsers cumbersome, launching the Claude app is as simple as a keyboard shortcut (Ctrl + Alt + Space) for instant access.

In parallel with the desktop launch, Anthropic is also bolstering Claude’s features on mobile, adding dictation support to the iOS and Android apps for voice-based interaction, a handy addition for users who need hands-free communication

This desktop app comes just a week after Anthropic rolled out exciting updates in October, introducing Claude 3.5 Sonnet and a new model called Claude 3.5 Haiku, both packing enhanced coding capabilities. At the same time, the company debuted “Computer Use” as an open beta feature, allowing Claude to interact with computer interfaces through an API—clicking buttons, typing, and navigating screens much like a human would.

Although this feature isn’t directly available within the desktop app, it signals Anthropic’s forward-thinking approach to make it immediately accessible on desktop whenever it rolls out to the public.

Meanwhile, Anthropic’s timing is no coincidence. This desktop debut follows OpenAI’s recent Windows release of its ChatGPT app after an earlier MacOS release. Other AI competitors like Perplexity’s AI search engine, and Microsoft’s own Copilot have also carved out desktop presences, with Copilot even embedded in Windows 11 and receiving a major update recently.

As Claude’s desktop apps arrive, Anthropic is clearly positioning its assistant as a accessible AI alternative for anyone looking for intuitive AI support right from their computer. And in a market where options are quickly expanding, Claude’s latest iteration offers a competitive edge, adding to the growing list of tools that shape how users engage with their devices and AI.