Claude Cowork hands real work to Claude on your desktop, but it needs a paid Claude plan and runs on Claude models. If you want something open source, free to start, or able to use other models, these seven desktop apps are the realistic options. One honest note first: on some plans Cowork can keep a task running in Anthropic's cloud after you close your laptop. Every app on this list, Orkas included, needs your computer to stay on.
Cowork is included only in paid Claude plans (Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise). Every app here is open source and free to download.
Cowork runs on Claude. The apps below let you connect other model providers with your own API key, and some can also use local models.
If Claude Code, Codex or OpenCode already do your repository work, a desktop app that drives them can fit better than adding a second agent.
With open source you can check what an agent is allowed to do before it touches your files.
This list is published by Orkas, and Orkas is one of the entries; its row is marked. Licences and platforms were checked on each project's GitHub page, and Cowork's details in Anthropic's help center, on October 8, 2026.
Built as a Cowork replacement
Eigent describes itself as “the open source Cowork desktop”. It is Apache-2.0, has desktop builds for macOS, Windows and Linux, and splits a task across a workforce of agents that run on the model keys you bring.
Project on GitHub →OpenWork calls itself “the open-source alternative to Claude Cowork” and is built on OpenCode, so it inherits OpenCode's wide model choice. It has desktop builds for macOS, Windows and Linux.
Most of the code is MIT, but one enterprise directory is under a separate licence.
Project on GitHub →Open Cowork is an MIT desktop app for Windows and macOS. It installs Claude Code, MCP tools and Skills in one step, runs them in a sandbox, and connects to Feishu and Slack.
Project on GitHub →A desktop window for the agents you already run
AionUi is Apache-2.0, for macOS, Windows and Linux. It puts OpenClaw, Hermes, Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode and more than 20 other CLI agents in one desktop window, with custom assistants you can team up.
Project on GitHub →One general agent or a chat studio instead of a workspace
Goose is an Apache-2.0 agent with a desktop app and a CLI for macOS, Windows and Linux, and it works with the model you choose. It installs, runs, edits and tests on your machine, which makes it closer to one capable agent than to a team.
Project on GitHub →Cherry Studio is a desktop studio for macOS, Windows and Linux with chat, autonomous agents and more than 300 ready-made assistants across most major model providers. It is the best fit if what you miss most is a good multi-model chat window.
It is AGPL-3.0, which adds obligations if you modify it and offer it to others as a service.
Project on GitHub →A team of agents, plus the CLIs you keep
Orkas is MIT, with installers for macOS and Windows. A Commander turns your goal into a plan and hands parts of it to specialist agents for research, documents, slides, images and video. It can also run Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode, OpenClaw and Hermes as members of the team. Use your own API key or Orkas-hosted models; new accounts get 500 free credits.
What it does not do: the installer needs an account, tasks stop when the app is closed, and it does not give each agent its own git worktree.
Read Orkas vs Claude Code →| App | Why pick it over Cowork | Platforms | Licence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eigent | The closest like-for-like, and open source | macOS, Windows, Linux | Apache-2.0 |
| OpenWork | A Cowork-style app with OpenCode's model choice | macOS, Windows, Linux | MIT core, enterprise directory separate |
| Open Cowork | Claude Code, MCP and Skills set up in one install | Windows, macOS | MIT |
| AionUi | One window for more than 20 CLI agents | macOS, Windows, Linux | Apache-2.0 |
| Goose | One strong general agent with the model you choose | macOS, Windows, Linux | Apache-2.0 |
| Cherry Studio | Multi-model chat that can also act | macOS, Windows, Linux | AGPL-3.0 |
| Orkas Ours | A team of specialists that also runs your CLIs | macOS, Windows | MIT |
| Claude Cowork | Reference: cloud sessions can keep going with the laptop closed; Claude models only | macOS, Windows, web, mobile | Proprietary, paid plans |
Platforms are the desktop builds each project publishes on GitHub. Cowork's plans and platforms come from Anthropic's help center.
Cowork does run on Windows, but it has more requirements than a normal app, and they are the most common reason it won't start. As of October 8, 2026, Anthropic's documentation lists:
Anthropic has said Windows 11 Home is supported, but users on both Home and Pro keep reporting that Cowork won't start, with errors such as “Missing HCS services”. The usual first fix is to turn on Virtual Machine Platform and restart fully.
Orkas installs as a regular desktop app on Windows and doesn't run tasks in a virtual machine, so it doesn't need Virtual Machine Platform or hardware virtualization turned on.
Sources: Anthropic, “Installation and setup”; GitHub issue #27906.
Orkas is free to download for macOS and Windows. Start with 500 free credits on Orkas-hosted models, or connect your own API key, or the Claude Code, Codex and OpenCode CLIs you already use.
Yes. Every app on this list is open source and free to download, while Cowork itself needs a paid Claude plan. With Orkas you can start on the 500 free credits new accounts get, or use your own API key.
Yes. All seven apps on this list publish Windows builds. Cowork also runs on Windows 10 and 11, but only on paid Claude plans, and it needs hardware virtualization and the Virtual Machine Platform feature. Orkas doesn't use a virtual machine, so it doesn't need either.
Cowork runs its tasks in a virtual machine. It needs Windows 10 version 2004 or later, the .msix installer, hardware virtualization and the Virtual Machine Platform feature. An error such as “Missing HCS services” usually means that feature is off; turn it on and restart. Anthropic's readiness check shows what is missing.
Most of them can, through your own Anthropic API key, which Anthropic bills per use rather than through a Claude subscription. Orkas can also run the Claude Code CLI as one of its agents.
On some plans Cowork can run a task in Anthropic's cloud and keep going after you close your laptop, and it is also available on the web and in the mobile apps. The apps here, Orkas included, run on your own computer and stop when it does.
Orkas is free, MIT licensed, and available for macOS and Windows. New accounts get 500 free credits, or you can use your own API key.
