Desktop app or browser

Choose Desktop for a workspace, browser for a visit

The browser is enough when you open one shared link, borrow a computer, or work on a device where software installation is blocked. When ALLO stays open all day, Download ALLO. Desktop gives the work its own tabs and windows, restores that setup after a restart, handles app updates, sends native notifications, and can export support logs when a problem is local to your computer.

Both versions open the same ALLO account and the same work. The choice changes the computer experience, not your data or permissions.

Compare the practical differences

ALLO web never asks for browser notification permission. If you want macOS or Windows banners and sounds, or the macOS Dock badge, Desktop is the supported route.

What is the same

The desktop app and browser use the same ALLO account. Workspaces, permissions, comments, dashboards, files, billing state, AI credits, and invitations are not separate. If a canvas is read-only in the browser because you only have view permission, it will be read-only in the desktop app too. If a payment banner appears in one, it can appear in the other.

Use troubleshooting articles when the problem follows the account or workspace:

Keep related work in ALLO tabs and windows

Desktop's tabs and windows are separate from your browser. That matters when a launch plan needs three canvases, a project view, and an Inbox open at the same time. They stay grouped as ALLO work instead of mixing with mail, research, and everything else in the browser.

For tab behavior, see Use tabs and windows. For canvas links, see Open canvases in the desktop app.

Let Desktop own computer-level tasks

Desktop adds three things a browser tab cannot provide for ALLO:

• Native notifications and badges. macOS and Windows can show ALLO banners and sounds after you allow ALLO notifications in the operating system. macOS can also show the active Inbox count on the ALLO Dock icon. See Use notifications and badges.
• App updates. Desktop downloads its own releases and asks you to restart when an update is ready. A browser refresh is not a Desktop update. See Update the desktop app.
• Support logs. Help → Export logs creates one encrypted .allo-logbundle with Desktop diagnostics. This is useful when the browser works but Desktop does not. See Export support logs.

When the browser is better

Use the browser when you are on a shared computer, a locked-down company device, a Linux computer, or a machine where you do not want to install apps. The browser is also useful when you need to compare whether a problem is local to the desktop app.

If ALLO works in the browser but not Desktop, the comparison narrows the problem to the installed app, its local state, or the operating system. Use Troubleshoot the desktop app and export logs if support asks.

If ALLO fails in both desktop and browser, the issue is more likely account, workspace, permission, billing, network, or data state. Use the troubleshooting articles instead of reinstalling the app.

Switching between desktop and browser safely

You can keep ALLO open in both desktop and browser. If you make a change in one and do not see it in the other, refresh the stale tab. If an item remains missing after refresh, check workspace, filters, Trash, and permissions using When work looks missing.

If you are signed into different accounts in desktop and browser, you may see different work. Compare the account email in each app before assuming something disappeared.

Pick the surface that matches the moment

The mobile app is a separate surface for review, shared links, comments, and quick updates from a phone or tablet. It does not add browser notifications to the web app.