WebCatalog Desktop and ToDesktop both make it possible to turn websites into desktop apps for macOS, Windows, and Linux. However, they take different approaches.
ToDesktop helps developers build and distribute standalone desktop applications. WebCatalog Desktop lets anyone install and use web apps without building or managing desktop software.
For developers, WebCatalog also offers another option: submit your existing web app for free and make it available to desktop users across all three platforms, without creating installers or managing distribution.
WebCatalog Desktop vs. ToDesktop at a glance
| Feature | WebCatalog Desktop | ToDesktop |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Install and use web apps | Build and distribute desktop apps |
| Target audience | Everyday users and developers | Developers and businesses |
| macOS, Windows, Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Coding required | No | No for basic apps |
| Multiple accounts | Built-in | Depends on the app |
| App organization | Spaces and profiles | Not its primary purpose |
| Distribute your web app | Free app listing | Paid distribution plans |
| Native installers | Not required | Yes |
| App discovery | Existing WebCatalog audience | Developers manage distribution |
| Custom branding | Limited to user customization | Extensive developer controls |
What is WebCatalog Desktop?
WebCatalog Desktop is an application that turns websites into desktop apps with dedicated windows, icons, and separate browsing sessions.
You can choose from a catalog of more than 65,000 web apps or install any website using its URL. WebCatalog also supports multiple accounts, custom profiles, and spaces for organizing your apps.
For developers, WebCatalog provides a way to reach desktop users without building a separate desktop application. Once your web app is approved and listed, WebCatalog users can discover and install it directly on macOS, Windows, and Linux.
What is ToDesktop?
ToDesktop is a platform for developers who want to convert their web applications into standalone desktop apps.
It provides tools for packaging web apps, creating native installers, code signing, automatic updates, and integrating desktop-specific functionality.
ToDesktop is particularly useful for businesses that want to distribute desktop software under their own brand and maintain control over the application experience.
1. Installing web apps vs. building desktop apps
The biggest difference is who the products are designed for.
WebCatalog Desktop focuses on people who use web applications. You can install Gmail, Notion, ChatGPT, Slack, or thousands of other services as desktop apps without writing code or configuring installers.
ToDesktop focuses on developers who create applications. It takes an existing web app and packages it into a standalone desktop product that can be distributed to customers.
Both approaches have their advantages. WebCatalog makes it easier to use existing web apps, while ToDesktop gives developers greater control over the desktop software they distribute.
2. A free alternative to building and distributing desktop apps
If you're a developer looking to make your web app available on desktop, you don't necessarily need to build a standalone application.
With ToDesktop, creating a distributable desktop application requires a paid plan. You also need to manage how customers discover and download your application.
WebCatalog offers a different approach.
You can submit your web app to WebCatalog for free. Once approved, your app becomes available through WebCatalog on macOS, Windows, and Linux.
There are several advantages:
- No development required. Your existing web app works without a separate desktop codebase.
- No distribution costs. Listing your app on WebCatalog is free.
- Cross-platform availability. Users can install your app on macOS, Windows, and Linux through WebCatalog.
- No installers to maintain. WebCatalog handles the desktop app experience, so you don't need to create installers, manage code signing, or maintain a separate desktop release process.
- Reach millions of potential users. Your app becomes discoverable to people using WebCatalog and visiting its website, giving you access to an existing audience looking for desktop apps.
You can also verify ownership of your listing, update your app information, and access analytics through the WebCatalog Developer Console.
This makes WebCatalog particularly attractive for independent developers, startups, and SaaS businesses that want to expand their reach without investing in a separate desktop application.
ToDesktop remains a better fit if you need a fully branded, independently distributed application with custom native integrations. But if your goal is simply to make your web app available to desktop users, submitting it to WebCatalog may be all you need.
3. Multiple accounts and workspace management
WebCatalog Desktop is designed to help users manage multiple web applications and accounts.
For example, you can install Gmail and keep separate personal and work accounts signed in simultaneously. Each profile maintains its own login sessions and cookies, so you can switch between accounts without signing out.
You can also organize your apps into spaces for different projects, clients, or workflows.
ToDesktop doesn't provide an equivalent workspace for managing unrelated web apps. Its focus is creating individual desktop applications, and any multiple-account functionality depends on how those applications are developed.
4. Customization and native features
ToDesktop offers extensive customization options for developers. They can control how their application looks, configure window behavior, integrate native functionality, and produce installers for different operating systems.
WebCatalog Desktop provides customization features for end users instead.
You can customize app icons, configure profiles, use custom CSS and JavaScript, and organize applications to fit your workflow.
The difference comes down to control. ToDesktop gives developers control over the applications they distribute. WebCatalog gives users control over how they use and organize web applications.
5. App discovery and distribution
Another important difference is how users discover your application.
With ToDesktop, you create a desktop app and distribute it through your own channels, such as your website, download pages, or supported app stores. This gives you more control over branding and distribution, but also means you need to attract users yourself.
With WebCatalog, your application becomes part of an existing web app catalog.
Millions of people use WebCatalog and visit its website to discover apps and find better ways to use their favorite services on desktop.
Listing your app gives it an additional discovery channel. Users can find your app, learn about it, and install it through WebCatalog without requiring you to build or market a separate desktop product.
You can continue operating your existing website as usual while using WebCatalog as an additional way to reach desktop users.
Which should you choose?
Choose WebCatalog Desktop if you want to:
- Turn your favorite websites into desktop apps.
- Keep multiple accounts signed in simultaneously.
- Organize web apps into spaces.
- Install web apps without technical setup.
- Make your own web app available across macOS, Windows, and Linux for free.
- Reach an existing audience of WebCatalog users without managing desktop distribution.
Choose ToDesktop if you want to:
- Build a standalone desktop application under your own brand.
- Create native installers for direct distribution.
- Integrate advanced desktop-specific functionality.
- Control your desktop app's packaging, releases, and updates.
Conclusion
WebCatalog Desktop and ToDesktop offer different ways to bring web applications to the desktop.
ToDesktop is designed for developers who need to build and distribute their own standalone desktop products. WebCatalog Desktop makes web applications accessible as desktop apps without requiring users or developers to build anything.
For everyday users, WebCatalog provides a convenient way to manage web apps and multiple accounts.
For developers, it offers something equally valuable: a free way to make existing web apps available on macOS, Windows, and Linux, while reaching millions of potential users through an established app discovery platform.
Download WebCatalog Desktop or submit your web app for free.
