ComparisonGhostDesk vs Cluely: Which Windows AI Overlay Is Right for You?
If you are comparing GhostDesk and Cluely, you are already in a high-intent phase. You are not asking whether AI is useful. You are asking which workflow will hold up during real work, real screen shares, and real deadlines. This page is written for that exact decision.
The short version is simple. Cluely is browser-oriented and convenient if your world is mostly tabs. GhostDesk is a native Windows overlay designed for people who work across VS Code, terminal, spreadsheets, docs, and calls without wanting to alt-tab all day. Both can help, but they solve different constraints.
The Core Difference: OS Layer vs Browser Layer
The biggest difference is not branding, and it is not model names. It is architecture. GhostDesk is a Windows-native overlay that uses SetWindowDisplayAffinity behavior to stay outside common capture paths. That matters if you frequently share your screen and need your on-screen assistant to stay private while your audience sees only the application you are presenting.
Cluely takes a browser-first approach. That can feel polished and straightforward if your usage is mostly in web workflows and you prefer not to install native tooling. For many people this is enough, especially if they are doing lightweight prompt tasks around reading and writing in browser tabs.
Where it changes is heavy desktop work. If your day moves across editor, terminal, docs, dashboards, and live calls, browser boundaries become real friction. In that context, the practical question is not who has the best landing page. The practical question is who removes context switching in the way you actually work.
Real Workflow Scenarios
In VS Code-centered workflows, GhostDesk has a stronger fit because it stays available above any app and can ingest context through OCR and voice input without forcing a return to browser tabs. For remote pair sessions, this can preserve flow and reduce visible tool-switching.
In browser-heavy workflows, Cluely can be the simpler choice. If your tasks are mostly writing, quick lookups, and short prompt loops in web pages, a browser-native experience may feel cleaner. You might not need desktop-wide behavior if your workflow never leaves the browser.
If you do both, the deciding factor is where the cost of friction is higher. Developers with deep IDE sessions usually lose more time to context switching than they expect. Teams that spend all day in browser apps may prioritize a low-install browser UX instead.
Honest Tradeoffs
Cluely has an advantage in browser-context polish. If that is your entire use case, it can feel lighter to adopt. GhostDesk, on the other hand, is intentionally opinionated around Windows desktop workflows and the reliability of native capture behavior.
GhostDesk also offers a low-friction entry path with a 3-day trial and a 24-hour pass. That matters for buyers who want to test during a real workday before committing to a monthly plan. Cluely may still be a good fit for users who care most about browser simplicity and do not need desktop-wide coverage.
If your buying criteria are privacy behavior during screen share, voice plus OCR inputs, and Windows app coverage outside the browser, GhostDesk is likely the stronger option. If your criteria are browser convenience first, Cluely remains a valid alternative.