Synara vs Claude Code desktop
Claude Code desktop is the Code tab of Anthropic's Claude desktop app, where you run several Claude Code sessions with worktrees, a terminal, a browser pane and pull requests. Synara is a free, open-source workspace that runs Claude Code next to Codex, Cursor, OpenCode and six more runtimes.
Key differences from Claude Code desktop
- Agents: Claude Code desktop runs Claude. Synara runs Claude Code with your Claude login and also runs Codex, Cursor, OpenCode, Antigravity, Grok Build, Devin CLI, Pi, Oh My Pi and Factory Droid.
- Handoffs: Synara can pass a task from Claude Code to another supported runtime without leaving the task.
- Source: Synara is open source under the MIT license.
- Where it runs: Claude Code desktop can run sessions locally, over SSH, in WSL or on Anthropic's cloud. Synara runs on your machine or as a headless server you host.
Side by side
- Price
- Synara: Free. You keep using the provider plans you already pay for.
- Claude Code desktop: Included with paid Claude plans, from Pro up; not in the Free plan.
- Open source
- Synara: Yes, MIT license.
- Claude Code desktop: No open-source license; Claude Code's repository is marked "All rights reserved".
- Platforms
- Synara: macOS, Windows and Linux desktop apps, plus a headless server package. Synara Remote and native iPhone and iPad apps are coming soon.
- Claude Code desktop: macOS and Windows, plus a Linux beta for Ubuntu and Debian.
- Coding agents
- Synara: Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode, Cursor, Antigravity, Grok Build, Devin CLI, Pi, Oh My Pi, Factory Droid. Supported runtimes can hand a task to each other mid-task.
- Claude Code desktop: Claude Code with Claude models.
- Parallel work
- Synara: Separate tasks, each optionally in its own Git worktree, with split views, a Kanban board and Inbox, native subagents, automations, Hubs and Studio.
- Claude Code desktop: Several sessions at once, each optionally in its own Git worktree, plus side chats, forks and scheduled tasks.
- Terminal
- Synara: Real terminals in each task's working directory.
- Claude Code desktop: Integrated terminal in local and SSH sessions.
- Browser verification
- Synara: Built-in browser with shared agent control, Computer Use for Mac apps (beta) and an iOS Simulator panel on macOS.
- Claude Code desktop: A browser pane where Claude starts your dev server and checks its changes; computer use (research preview) and an iOS Simulator pane on macOS.
- Diffs and pull requests
- Synara: Live diffs, commits and pushes, plus a GitHub pull-request workspace with stacked PRs and auto-fix CI.
- Claude Code desktop: Diff review with line comments; pull requests through the GitHub CLI, with auto-fix for failing checks and review comments.
- Account and data
- Synara: No Synara account needed for local use. Workspace history stays on your machine.
- Claude Code desktop: A Claude account on a paid plan, or a company-managed third-party provider setup. Local, SSH, WSL and cloud environments.
Choose Synara if
- You use Codex, Cursor or another agent alongside Claude Code and want them in one workspace.
- You want to hand a task from Claude Code to another provider for a second opinion.
- You want an open-source desktop app around your Claude subscription.
Claude Code desktop may suit you better if
- You only use Claude and want Anthropic's first-party app.
- You want sessions to run on Anthropic's cloud infrastructure.
Questions
Can I use my Claude subscription in Synara?
Yes. Synara runs the Claude Code runtime signed in on your machine, so your Claude plan's models and limits apply. Synara does not sell model access.
Is Synara a Claude Code GUI?
Synara is a desktop workspace for Claude Code and nine other coding-agent runtimes. Each task gets its own conversation, terminal, browser, diff and optional Git worktree.
Sources
Claude Code desktop details were checked against these official pages on . Both products change quickly, so confirm anything important on Anthropic's site. Synara details come from the Synara feature guide.
Other comparisons
Free, open source, and runs the coding agents you already use.
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