Side vs Inspector
Side-by-side comparison of features, pros & cons, pricing, and community votes (2026).
🏆 Inspector leads with 621 upvotes
A little AI chat panel that lives beside your Mac's Dock
Side is a minimalist AI chat panel designed specifically for Mac users seeking quick, unobtrusive access to AI assistance. It elegantly sits beside the Mac's Dock, floating above other windows to ensure it remains accessible without disrupting your workflow. Its compact design expands when needed, offering a seamless chatting experience across multiple Spaces and full-screen apps. Users can switch between different AI providers, models, and reasoning levels within a single conversation, providing flexibility and power. Additionally, Side supports signing in with ChatGPT or using an API key, catering to both casual users and developers. Its open-source nature under the MIT license makes it appealing for those who value transparency and customization. Whether for quick queries, coding help, or creative brainstorming, Side offers a sleek, always-at-hand AI companion that integrates smoothly into daily Mac usage.
Pros
- Discreet, floating panel that doesn't interfere with workspace
- Cross-application compatibility across Spaces and full-screen apps
- Flexible provider and model switching within a single conversation
- Supports custom accounts via ChatGPT login or API key
- Open-source with a compact, expandable design
Cons
- Limited to Mac users, not available on other platforms
- Features may be basic compared to full-fledged chat applications
- Dependent on external AI providers, which may affect performance or capabilities
Best for
- • Quick AI-assisted research or fact-checking without leaving the current window
- • Coding help or debugging while working in development environments
- • Creative brainstorming and idea generation alongside your tasks
- • Managing multiple AI models for different types of queries
Pricing: Pricing not verified
Figma for Claude Code
Inspector reimagines the design-to-code workflow by integrating visual editing directly with AI-powered code generation. Designed for developers, designers, and product teams, it allows users to click on UI elements within a design interface, make visual adjustments, and have those changes automatically reflected in the underlying codebase. The tool connects seamlessly with popular AI agents like Claude Code, Codex, and Cursor, streamlining the often tedious handoff process between design and development. Its unique approach eliminates the need for manual code edits or back-and-forth communication, enabling rapid prototyping and iteration. By bridging the gap between visual design and code, Inspector enhances productivity and fosters a more collaborative workflow, making it ideal for teams seeking to accelerate their development cycles with AI-powered precision.
Pros
- Intuitive visual interface for code adjustments
- Seamless integration with popular AI coding agents
- Reduces manual coding and design handoff time
- Supports rapid prototyping and iteration
- Streamlines collaboration between designers and developers
Cons
- May have limitations with complex UI components
- Dependent on AI accuracy, which can vary
- Learning curve for users unfamiliar with AI-assisted editing
Best for
- • Quick UI tweaks during product development
- • Design validation and iteration without extensive code changes
- • Bridging the gap between design and development teams
- • Rapid prototyping of new features
Pricing: Likely operates on a freemium model, offering basic features for free with paid plans providing additional integrations and advanced editing capabilities; exact pricing details are not publicly specified.