Beam
A native macOS app that puts a floating ChatGPT window anywhere on your screen, accessible via hotkeys.
| What is it | A native macOS app that puts a floating ChatGPT window anywhere on your screen, accessible via hotkeys. |
|---|---|
| Pricing | Paid |
| Platform | Desktop Application |
| API | Yes |
| Works with | IFTTT |
| Best for | Getting AI assistance without switching browser tabs, Summarizing or asking questions about on-screen content |
| Domain registered | 2023 |
Data updated Sept. 19, 2026
What does Beam do?
Beam is a desktop application built specifically for macOS that gives you instant access to ChatGPT from anywhere on your computer. Instead of having to keep a browser tab open, Beam lets you summon a floating chat window over any other application with a simple keyboard shortcut. You can select text in any app, chat about it with AI, and insert the AI's response back with another keystroke, all without ever breaking your workflow. It's designed to make AI assistance feel like a natural, integrated part of your desktop environment.
What makes Beam stand out is its focus on being a true native Mac app—it's not built on Electron, which the developers say results in lower memory usage and a snappier, more familiar macOS feel. Key features are all driven by hotkeys for speed, including the ability to take a screenshot of a selected screen area and ask ChatGPT questions about it. You can also create reusable prompt templates for common tasks, chat with the contents of PDF documents, and set up custom AI profiles to tailor how different GPT models respond to you. The app emphasizes privacy, operating in a sandbox and storing all data locally on your machine.
This tool is a perfect fit for anyone who uses ChatGPT regularly on a Mac and is tired of context-switching. Writers, researchers, students, and professionals who need quick AI-powered explanations, drafts, or summaries while working in other applications will benefit most. Real-world use cases include selecting a confusing paragraph in a research paper and asking for a simpler explanation, quickly generating a first draft of an email based on a saved template, or getting a summary of a lengthy PDF report without having to manually read through it.
Key features
What makes it stand outWho is Beam for?
Who benefits most from this toolTrust & presence
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