Claude Apps
Claude is available across five platforms — web, iOS, Android, macOS desktop, and Windows desktop. The core conversational experience is consistent everywhere, but each platform has unique capabilities. The desktop apps in particular go well beyond the web app with autonomous task execution, file handling, and the Cowork feature.
Claude.ai (Web)
The primary interface at claude.ai. Runs in any browser — no installation required. Supports all standard Claude capabilities: multi-turn chat, file uploads (PDF, images, documents), Projects, Artifacts, Connectors, and web search.
The web app is the best choice for quick access from any device and for teams who don't want to manage software installations.
Desktop App (macOS & Windows)
The Claude desktop app ships with capabilities that go beyond the web app:
Desktop-exclusive features
- • Drag-and-drop files and images directly into chat
- • Generate and edit spreadsheets, documents, slides, PDFs inline
- • Custom charts and visualisations in responses
- • Cowork tab — autonomous task agent (Pro and above)
- • Scheduled tasks via Cowork
- • Continue Claude Code sessions from the desktop app (Pro/Max)
Cowork (Pro and above)
A dedicated tab (next to Chat) that runs Claude as an autonomous desktop agent.
- • Multi-step tasks: file organisation, document processing, data workflows
- • Runs in an isolated VM on-device — data stays local
- • Full access to connected MCP tools and connectors
- • Supports scheduled/recurring tasks
macOS (launched 2025), Windows (Feb 10, 2026)
Download at claude.com/download. The macOS app requires macOS 12 or later; the Windows app requires Windows 10 or later.
Mobile — iOS & Android
Full feature parity between iOS and Android as of 2026. The mobile app covers all core Claude capabilities plus mobile-specific features:
- Voice mode — speak to Claude and hear responses (free for all plans since June 3, 2025; five voices available)
- Camera input — photograph documents, whiteboards, or objects and ask Claude about them
- Offline access to conversation history (read-only when offline)
- Continue Claude Code sessions from mobile (Pro/Max only)
The mobile app is the best choice for voice interactions, quick questions on the go, and when you want to photograph something and get instant analysis.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Web | Desktop | Mobile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core chat + Projects | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| File uploads | ✓ | ✓ (drag+drop) | ✓ |
| Connectors | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Voice mode | Limited | Limited | ✓ Full |
| Cowork / desktop agent | ✗ | ✓ (Pro+) | ✗ |
| Scheduled tasks | ✗ | ✓ (Pro+) | ✗ |
| Camera input | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
Checklist: Do You Understand This?
- What is Cowork and which platform is it available on?
- What can the mobile app do that the web app cannot?
- What plan is required to use Cowork?
- Where do you download the Claude desktop app?