What is a desktop AI agent app, and how do they compare?
A desktop AI agent app is a program you install that can operate the other programs on your computer for you: it reads the screen, clicks, types and moves between windows to finish a task you describe. The apps differ less in raw ability than in four practical things, so that is how this site compares them.
The four things that separate them
Where it acts. Some act on your real desktop. Others keep a computer or browser of their own in the cloud. ChatGPT's cloud browser, for instance, runs on a separate computer and never touches your machine, which is safer for your files and useless for your desktop software.
How it asks. Claude's desktop app asks before it accesses each application, and on macOS 15 or later it works in background windows by default instead of taking over your pointer. superbot offers three settings for computer use: Ask, the one it starts with, which asks before it uses your computer, Always, which acts without asking, and Off.
What it runs on. Claude's computer use and superbot's are both for macOS and Windows. superbot also installs on Linux and phones, where it does other work; its docs say computer use itself is Mac and Windows only.
What you need. A paid plan, in Claude's case Pro, Max or Ultra while computer use is in beta. ChatGPT's cloud browser needs a paid plan other than Free and Go. superbot's download page lists free installers for each system, and pricing is on superbot.gg.
A quick comparison
| Acts on | Asks before acting | Watch from phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claude desktop app | Your computer | Per application | Assign tasks with Dispatch |
| ChatGPT cloud browser | A cloud computer | Per new website, by default | Start tasks on mobile |
| superbot | Your computer, or a cloud browser | Asks first by default; Always or Off | Live view with Observe or Control |
How to read a comparison like this
No table tells you which agent finishes your particular task. Use it to rule out the ones that cannot reach your work at all, then try the rest on one real job. Anthropic itself calls computer use early and says complex tasks sometimes need a second try, which is a fair description of every app here.
Sources
Last updated .