Looking for Desktop Mate on Mac?
Desktop Mate now supports Apple silicon Macs through Steam. Paw-Paw is a free Mac-first companion for Apple Silicon and Intel — no Steam account required.
Desktop Mate now supports Apple silicon Macs through Steam. Paw-Paw is a free Mac-first companion for Apple Silicon and Intel — no Steam account required.
Desktop Mate is a desktop mascot app from infiniteloop that launched on Steam in January 2025. It puts 3D anime characters on your screen — they sit on windows, play with the mouse cursor, respond to head pats, and jump between windows. The free base app includes infiniteloop's mascot character, while licensed characters such as Hatsune Miku are sold as DLC.
The catch for Mac owners? Desktop Mate's macOS support is Apple-silicon-only. The official Steam page lists macOS Tahoe and an Apple processor requirement, with Intel processors not supported. It is also distributed through Steam and has many paid character DLCs.
Paw-Paw is a desktop pet made for macOS. Instead of 3D anime characters, you get a cast of illustrated animals — bears, foxes, shibas, capybaras, raccoons, and more. Once Accessibility access is granted, the pet reacts to keyboard and mouse event types in most apps, then curls up to sleep when you take a break.
Paw-Paw has no live store and no live in-app purchases today. Every current animal and all collectible hats are included at no extra charge — no paywalls, accounts, or ads. Animals and cosmetics unlock through progression.
| Feature | Desktop Mate | Paw-Paw |
|---|---|---|
| macOS support | Apple silicon only (macOS Tahoe) | Apple Silicon + Intel |
| Price | Free base, paid DLC characters | Free today, no live in-app purchases |
| Characters | 3D anime (some paid) | Illustrated animals |
| Reacts to typing | Reacts to cursor | Yes, typing & clicks |
| Character content | Free base mascot; licensed characters sold as DLC | Free hats, every rarity |
| Accounts required | Steam account | None |
| Published Mac requirements | macOS Tahoe; Apple silicon (Apple M1 or A18 Pro minimum); 8 GB system RAM; 500 MB storage; Intel unsupported | macOS 13+; Apple silicon + Intel |
To be fair: if what you specifically want is a 3D licensed anime character on Steam, Paw-Paw is not that. If you want a free-today, illustrated companion that reacts as you type and also works on Intel Macs, Paw-Paw is the Mac-first alternative.
Your little animal sits at the bottom of the screen and comes alive as you type. It's the same comfort that makes desktop mascots so popular — a small, friendly presence on screen — without taking over your desktop or demanding your attention.
Paw-Paw can be kept open while studying or working. Some people describe an ambient on-screen companion as body-doubling-like, but Paw-Paw has not been clinically tested and is not ADHD treatment. It sleeps when you step away and wakes when you return.
There is no live character shop, premium tier, or paid unlock in Paw-Paw today. You collect every current hat just by using your Mac normally. Future optional artist-designed sets may come later, but nothing paid is live now.
Yes, but only for Apple silicon Macs. The official Steam page lists macOS Tahoe and Apple processor requirements, and says Intel processors are not supported. Paw-Paw supports Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.
Paw-Paw is a free-today macOS desktop companion with illustrated animals that react to typing and clicks. It supports both Apple silicon and Intel Macs, does not require Steam, and has no live paid content today.
Paw-Paw is free in public beta today. There are no live in-app purchases, subscriptions, accounts, or ads. Every current animal and hat is included at no extra charge and unlocks through progression. Desktop Mate is free to start and sells extra character DLC.
Yes. Paw-Paw 0.1.9 is a universal app for Apple silicon and Intel Macs running macOS 13 or later.
Desktop Mate puts 3D anime characters on your desktop through Steam, with paid character DLC and macOS support limited to Apple silicon. Paw-Paw puts illustrated animals on macOS that react to typing and clicks, supports Intel Macs too, and has no live paid content today.
No Steam required. No account. Current animals and hats unlock through progression at no extra charge.
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