Choose Elephas if you want a native Mac app with system-wide AI access, writing assistance everywhere, and seamless integration with your favorite productivity apps.
Choose Claude Projects if you value Claude's exceptional conversation quality, need organized project workspaces, or prefer working in a browser-based environment.
Both Elephas and Claude Projects aim to help you leverage AI with your personal knowledge, but they take very different approaches. Elephas is a native Mac app that brings AI to every corner of your system. Claude Projects is Anthropic's web-based workspace that lets you organize conversations around specific topics with custom instructions and knowledge files.
What is Elephas?
Elephas is a personal AI writing assistant built specifically for macOS. It creates a "Super Brain" from your documents and integrates with apps like Notion, Obsidian, and Apple Notes. The key differentiator is system-wide access—press a keyboard shortcut from any app to get AI assistance.
Key characteristics:
Native Mac app with ⌘+Space system-wide access
Integrates with Notion, Obsidian, Apple Notes, web pages
AI writing assistance in any text field
Multiple AI model support (GPT-4, Claude, local models)
Source citations from your documents
What is Claude Projects?
Claude Projects is a feature within Claude.ai (Pro subscription required) that lets you create organized workspaces for different topics. Each project can have custom instructions that persist across conversations and a knowledge base of uploaded documents.
Key characteristics:
Web-based with optional macOS and iOS apps
Project-based organization with custom instructions
Upload documents as project knowledge (200K token window)
Powered by Claude's industry-leading conversation quality
Requires Claude Pro subscription ($20/month)
Feature Comparison
Feature
Elephas
Claude Projects
Platform
Native Mac App
Web + Apps
System-Wide Access
✓
✗
Project Organization
Basic
✓ Excellent
Custom Instructions
✓
✓
App Integrations
Notion, Obsidian, etc.
Manual upload
Conversation Quality
Very Good
Excellent
Multiple AI Models
✓ GPT-4, Claude, local
Claude only
The System-Wide Advantage
Elephas shines in daily workflow integration. Instead of switching to a browser tab, you invoke AI from wherever you are—writing an email, drafting a document, or coding. This reduces context-switching and keeps you in flow state.
Claude's Conversation Quality
Claude is widely regarded as having the best conversational AI for nuanced, thoughtful responses. If you're doing complex analysis, brainstorming, or need an AI that truly understands context, Claude Projects leverages Anthropic's latest models directly.
Pricing Comparison
Elephas
$9.99/month
✓ All features included
✓ Bring your own API keys
→ $99 lifetime option available
Claude Projects
$20/month (Pro)
✓ Unlimited Projects
✓ Priority access
→ Free tier has no Projects
Who Should Use Each Tool?
Choose Elephas If You...
Use a Mac as your primary computer
Want AI assistance available system-wide
Need writing help across different applications
Use Notion, Obsidian, or Apple Notes
Want flexibility with multiple AI models
Prefer a one-time purchase option
Choose Claude Projects If You...
Value Claude's exceptional conversation quality
Need organized project workspaces
Want custom instructions that persist
Work across multiple devices/platforms
Already have Claude Pro subscription
Prefer browser-based workflows
🧠 Before You Decide: Consider This Complement
While Claude Projects optimize how you launch apps, there's a gap neither fills: managing the knowledge you accumulate across all your tools.
Elephas takes a different approach — instead of launching apps, it creates an AI-powered "Super Brain" from your documents. Every answer cites YOUR files, not internet guesses. It's the perfect complement to whichever launcher you choose.
⚡
System-Wide Access
⌘+Space from any app to query your knowledge base.
📎
Cites Your Sources
Every answer links to the actual document. No hallucinations.
🔗
Syncs Your Apps
Connects to Notion, Obsidian, Apple Notes automatically.
Best for:Knowledge workers managing multiple projectsUsers who want AI that knows their context
Best for daily workflow. System-wide access. Native Mac experience. More affordable.
WINNER FOR DEEP WORK
Claude Projects
Best conversation quality. Excellent project organization. Cross-platform access.
For Mac-centric users focused on daily productivity, Elephas wins. The system-wide availability means you never leave your workflow to access AI. Plus, the lifetime purchase option makes it more economical long-term.
For users who need the best possible AI conversations, Claude Projects is unmatched. Anthropic's models excel at nuanced understanding, and the project organization keeps your work structured.
Consider using both: Elephas for quick, daily AI tasks and Claude Projects for deep, project-specific work sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elephas better than Claude Projects?
For Mac users wanting system-wide AI access, Elephas is better. For users who prioritize conversation quality and project organization, Claude Projects excels. They serve different primary use cases.
Can I use my own documents with Claude Projects?
Yes, Claude Projects allows you to upload documents as project knowledge. Elephas goes further by integrating directly with Notion, Obsidian, and other apps, so you don't need to manually upload.
Does Elephas use Claude?
Yes! Elephas supports multiple AI models including Claude, GPT-4, and local models. You can choose which model to use based on your preferences and API keys.
Is Claude Projects worth $20/month?
If you use Claude frequently and value project organization, yes. The Pro subscription includes unlimited Projects, priority access during high-demand periods, and access to the latest Claude models.
