Quick Chat

Quick Chat is a macOS menu-bar app that provides a global keyboard shortcut to open a floating web panel for ChatGPT.

Quick Chat brings back the option to open a floating ChatGPT web panel anywhere on macOS using a global keyboard shortcut. It displays chatgpt.com inside a resizable panel that stays on top of other windows. The app works standalone and does not require the official ChatGPT desktop app, meaning your queries use standard chat limits instead of agent allowances. It supports built-in web shortcuts for switching chats, attaching files, and starting new conversations. Voice input works with standard microphone permissions, and sign-in is handled directly through the web interface.

Quick Chat at a glance

Best for: Software engineer, Product manager
Runs on: macOS
Pricing: Free and open source
Released: October 2026
Category: AI chat assistant
Website: github.com/shuaibird/quick-chat

Key features

Global keyboard shortcut to open a floating chat panel
Resizable web view showing chatgpt.com
Stays on top of other windows
Supports native ChatGPT web keyboard shortcuts
Unbinds conflicting shortcuts in the official app
Voice input support

Use it for

Asking quick questions while reading articles
Accessing standard chats without consuming agent allowances
Managing conversations with web keyboard shortcuts

Companions

Tools that articles about Quick Chat recommend using with it, each with its job.

ChatGPT — Built to work with ChatGPT.
Canva — Create and edit designs and slides inside the chat.
Zapier — The largest app catalog for no-code automations and agents
Firecrawl — Provides direct web data access for AI agents with open source flexibility.
ElevenLabs — Text-to-speech, voice cloning and sound from the chat.
Runway — Leading video model plus editing, upscaling and an agentic collaborator

Alternatives to Quick Chat

MacGPT — Access ChatGPT from anywhere on the Mac using a menu bar or global text field.
ChatGPT Overlay Bar — Provides fast and easy menu bar access to ChatGPT on macOS.
Chat UI — It runs instantly anywhere with a web browser and weighs under 100 KB.
Axoris — Access multiple AI models instantly with a global keyboard shortcut.
MindMac — A native macOS client supporting multiple AI models with an inline mode and secure keychain storage.
m’kay — Talk to your Mac's AI agents by voice from anywhere.
ChatGPTBox — It offers deep browser integrations and multiple API options completely for free.
ChatALL — Compare many AI chatbots on the same prompt at once
Side — Connect your own AI provider and access multiple models in one compact panel.
tgpt — It brings AI chat functionality directly into the terminal interface.
Sidekick — Chat with local models using your own files and websites offline.
PaletteBrain — Access ChatGPT anywhere on macOS with a lifetime license and no monthly fees.

All Quick Chat alternatives