AI cowork app FAQ

A desktop AI agent that works alongside you on your real files and computer, running multi-step tasks rather than just answering questions in a browser. Examples with desktop apps include OpenAI Codex, Microsoft Copilot and Claude Cowork.

OpenAI Codex (macOS and Windows, plus CLI and IDE), Microsoft Copilot (Windows app and inside Microsoft 365 desktop apps) and Claude Cowork (in the Claude desktop app on macOS and Windows).

There's no universal winner. Codex is best for developers, Microsoft Copilot for people in Microsoft 365 and Windows, and Claude Cowork for general no-code file and computer tasks.

Not for Microsoft Copilot or Claude Cowork — both are designed for plain-language use. Codex is a developer tool and assumes you read and review code.

Roughly: Codex is bundled with ChatGPT plans (~$20 and up); Microsoft Copilot has a free tier with Microsoft 365 Premium around $20 and business Copilot around $30/user; Claude Cowork is included with paid Claude plans (Pro ~$20 and up). Verify current pricing on official pages.

They act on real files, so scope the access you grant, review what they change and keep backups. Connectors to email or drives are powerful — enable them deliberately.

All-in-one AI and AI bundles are about access to many models in one place or one subscription. A cowork app is about an agent doing work on your computer. They solve different problems — see our explainers.

Not exactly — they overlap but aren't the same. A cowork app adds agentic, on-device action; a chatbot or all-in-one tool is about answers and model access.