Yes. Vox is 100% free and open source under the MIT license. No subscription, no usage limits, no hidden costs.

Does Vox work offline?

Yes. After the initial model download, Vox runs entirely on your Mac with no internet connection required.

Vox runs locally on your hardware. Your conversations, files, and data never leave your device. No cloud, no telemetry.

What can Vox do that ChatGPT cannot?

Vox controls your desktop — it manages files, sends emails, replies to iMessages, captures screen regions, and runs background agents. It works offline and keeps all data on your device.

Does Vox work on Windows or Linux?

Vox is Mac-first today. The core architecture is platform-agnostic, and Windows and Linux support is the top contributor priority.

Vox vs Claude Desktop: Agent vs Chat Interface

Claude Desktop brings Anthropic's Claude model to a native desktop app. Vox is also a native desktop app with AI. But the similarities end at the surface. They're fundamentally different kinds of tools.

Core difference

Claude Desktop is a chat interface for Claude — a beautiful wrapper around the same model you use in the browser. It can read files you drag in and has MCP (Model Context Protocol) support for extensions.

Vox is an AI agent with 47+ built-in tools, voice control, a knowledge base, background processing, and local Qwen3 models (4B/8B/14B/32B). It doesn't just chat — it acts.

Feature comparison

Claude Desktop

Native chat interface
Single model (Claude)
Drag-and-drop file reading
MCP plugin support
Conversation per-chat
No voice interface
No email integration
No file management
No document creation tools
$20/month (Claude Pro)

Vox

AI agent with tool execution
Qwen3 models (4B, 8B, 14B, 32B) running locally
Knowledge base with auto-indexing
47+ built-in tools
Infinite continuous conversation
Voice-first with wake word
Full email (read, draft, send)
File search, move, organize, rename
Create Word, PDF, PowerPoint
Free and open source

Tool execution

Claude Desktop can read files and use MCP extensions you configure. Vox has tools built in from day one:

Vox — Built-in Tool Execution

✓send_email — draft and send emailsDone

✓create_document — Word, PDF, PowerPointDone

✓run_local_command — shell scripts and commandsDone

✓web_search — real-time web researchDone

✓search_files — find files by name/contentDone

✓move_file / copy_file — file operationsDone

✓capture_screenshot — screen analysisDone

✓manage_calendar — schedulingDone

Voice

“Computer, summarize my unread emails and draft replies to the urgent ones.”

Claude Desktop has no voice interface. You type everything. Vox lets you speak naturally while your hands are busy or you're away from the keyboard.

Memory model

Claude Desktop

Separate conversations
Each chat starts fresh
No cross-chat memory
Project knowledge via MCP

Vox

Single infinite conversation
Everything remembered
Auto-summarizes at 600K chars
Local knowledge base indexing

Note

Claude Desktop is excellent if you want the Claude model in a native app. Vox is the right choice if you want an AI agent that can actually control your computer, manage your email, and learn from every interaction.

Claude Desktop is a better ChatGPT. Vox is a different category — an AI operating system for your desktop.

Put Vox to work on your computer.

Download Vox for Mac and start with the local setup flow.

Download for Mac

macOS · Apple Silicon & Intel

Continue reading

Comparisons

Vox vs ChatGPT Desktop: What's Actually Different

Both run on your computer. But one types, the other acts. A real comparison of desktop AI assistants in 2026.

Comparisons

Why a Desktop AI Beats a Browser AI Every Time

Browser AI is trapped in a tab. Desktop AI can touch your files, run scripts, send emails, and remember everything. Here is why that matters.

Guides

Every Tool Vox Can Use on Your Desktop

A complete catalog of 47+ tools Vox can execute — from file management and email to custom tools, MCP servers, and code execution.