The short answer
Claude exists as an official app for Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android — all free, all directly from Anthropic. For Linux there is a beta version. The only right address for downloading is claude.ai/download; everything else in the search results does not come from the maker.
So unlike with some AI tools, you do not have to stay in the browser here. The question is rather whether you need the app at all — the honest part on that further below.
Claude for Mac
The Mac app is a universal version: it runs on Apple Silicon and on older Intel Macs, so you do not have to work out which processor you have. It requires macOS 11 (Big Sur) or newer — which covers practically every Mac still receiving updates.
Installation is the usual route: download the file from claude.ai/download, open it, drag Claude into the Applications folder, sign in with your account. Done.
Claude for Windows
For Windows you need Windows 10 or newer. There are two versions — one for x64 and one for arm64. Sounds technical, but is not: the vast majority of computers need x64. Only if you have a newer device with a Snapdragon processor do you take arm64.
After starting the installer, Windows may ask for a confirmation. Afterwards you find Claude in the start menu.
A small note for everyone working in a team: on Team and Enterprise plans, administrators can distribute and keep the app up to date centrally — via the usual management tools. Not relevant for you as a solopreneur, but it is for your clients with employees.
Claude for iPhone and iPad
In the App Store the app is called Claude by Anthropic, the provider is Anthropic PBC. It is free and requires iOS 17.0 or newer.
Watch the provider name when searching. The App Store now hosts quite a few apps with “Claude” in the name that do not come from Anthropic — counters, usage displays, third-party accessories. The real app comes from Anthropic PBC.
Claude for Android
On Google Play the same applies: Claude by Anthropic, free, from Android 8.0 (Oreo). Your conversations stay in sync between web, iPhone and Android — so you can start at the computer and keep asking on the go.
Claude for Linux
There is a beta version for Linux, specifically for Ubuntu and Debian, each for x64 and arm64. “Beta” means: it works, but is not yet at the level of the other versions. If Linux is your daily machine, try it — but better not rely on it in client work yet.
The point almost nobody mentions: Cowork needs considerably more
And now comes the specification that appears in none of the German guides I found — and which can be decisive for you.
The Claude app itself is modest. But as soon as you want to use Cowork — letting Claude work independently on multi-step tasks — additional requirements apply. Cowork runs in a sealed-off virtual machine on your computer, and it wants to be fed:
- At least 8 GB of RAM so the virtual machine runs smoothly
- Around 25 GB of free disk space for the Cowork image alone
- 10 GB or more of free space beyond that
That is the real reason Cowork runs sluggishly for some people — not the internet connection. If your computer has 8 GB of RAM and the disk is almost full, you will not enjoy it. Check that before you get annoyed at the results.
What you can actually do with Cowork, I wrote up in two articles: Product launch with Claude and Creating a Notion board with Claude.
Careful with third-party downloads
If you google “Claude download”, alongside the official page you get a series of download portals offering you an installer file. Some repackage the real app, some bundle advertising, some are simply outdated.
There is exactly one official address: claude.ai/download. From there you reach all versions — Mac, Windows, Linux — and the links into the app stores. For phone and tablet you download exclusively via the Apple App Store or Google Play, namely the app from Anthropic PBC.
Why I keep hammering on this: you sign in to your Claude account in this software and upload business documents. That is no place for a second-hand program.
Do you even need the app?
Honest answer: Not necessarily. In the browser you get practically the same range of functions, and if you work in the browser all day anyway, another program is more ballast.
Three cases where the desktop app is still worth it:
- You want to use Cowork. That runs on your computer, not in a browser window.
- You keep losing Claude between thirty tabs. A dedicated window with its own icon in the bar changes more about working habits than it sounds.
- You connect Claude to local tools. The desktop app can establish connections to programs on your computer that do not work in the browser.
For the phone the opposite holds — the app simply belongs on your phone. Not to work there, but to capture the thought that comes to you while shopping.
What does all this cost?
The download costs nothing, and you can use Claude with a free account — on all devices. You only pay once the usage limits become too tight for you.
What the plans cost in euros, net and gross instead of US list prices, is in Was kostet Claude AI? — including the calculation that matters more than the monthly price.
Installing is quick. The question after that is what you actually open it for in daily life. That is exactly what we talk about in my free community “KI — aber richtig” — the templates and workflows from my videos live there too. And if you want company instead of doing it alone: the AI Business Community offers monthly live calls, workshops and the MACHZEIT! challenge for exactly that.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a Claude app?
Yes. Anthropic offers official apps for Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android, plus a beta version for Linux. All are free and also work with a free Claude account.
Where can I download Claude?
Via claude.ai/download. There you choose your operating system and download the fitting version. For iPhone and Android you go to the Apple App Store or Google Play and search for “Claude by Anthropic” — the provider is Anthropic PBC. You need no other download sources.
Is there Claude for Windows?
Yes, from Windows 10. There are two versions: x64 for the vast majority of computers and arm64 for devices with an ARM processor. After installing you find Claude in the start menu.
Is there Claude for Mac?
Yes, from macOS 11 (Big Sur). The Mac app is a universal version and runs on Apple Silicon as well as Intel Macs — so you do not have to choose.
What are the system requirements of the Claude desktop app?
For the app itself, macOS 11 or Windows 10 is enough. Cowork needs considerably more: at least 8 GB of RAM and around 25 GB of free disk space for the working image, plus 10 GB beyond that.
Which Claude version is free?
The Free plan is permanently free and works on all devices — Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android. The download itself never costs anything either, whatever the platform. You pay exclusively for higher usage limits, not for the app.
Is there Claude for Linux?
Yes, as a beta for Ubuntu and Debian, each for x64 and arm64. It works, but still lags behind the other versions.
Do I need the app or is the browser enough?
For daily work the browser is enough. The desktop app is worth it if you want to use Cowork, if Claude gets lost among too many tabs, or if you want to connect Claude to programs on your computer. The phone app is almost always worth it — for the thoughts in between.
Where to go next
If you are just starting, this is the sensible order:
- What is Claude AI? — the fundamentals guide: what the tool can do, without tech blabla.
- Was kostet Claude AI? — prices in euros, net and gross, plus the question of the right plan.
- Claude vs. ChatGPT — if you are still wavering over which subscription at all.
- Claude Skills — the biggest lever once the app is running: three specialists working for you.
- Which model do you really need? — directly price-relevant if you are considering upgrading.
Conclusion: installing is the smallest part
The download takes two minutes, and almost every computer still receiving updates meets the system requirements. The only point where it gets sticky is Cowork — and that is down to RAM and disk, not to you.
Far more important than where to click is this question: What do you do with the thing once it is installed? A program in the dock has never taken work off anyone. Start with one single task that annoys you every week — and hand it over.
