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WebCatalog 57.8.0

Free Turns various website services into real desktop apps.
5 
Latest version:
57.8.0 See all
Developer:
Collect

WebCatalog is intented to convert web apps into desktop applications. Thus, it gives you the opportunity to create a sort of simplified browser meant to open a specific site. It is based on Chromium, from which it inherits many of its advantages, like speed and reliability.

The tool is very easy to use, and it takes just a few minutes to configure and deploy an application. In this respect, there is a list of the supported services, from which you can pick the one you desire, including Gmail, Dropbox, Evernote, Instagram, Spotify and Skype, among many others. However, you should be aware that it does not allow configuring services that are not included in the list. In such case, you may suggest the developers to include a given service.

The new desktop can be given a custom name as well as assigned your preferred icon. Some services require authenticating to your account. In this regard, it is good that you can create different applications for each account, as the applications run in sandbox mode. This has the additional advantage of preserving your privacy by avoiding cross-website trackers.

Being based on Chromium, the applications you generate look quite similar to this popular browser, except that there are no address bars and menus. Moreover, it is possible to turn to full-screen mode and perform some maintenance operations.

In short, WebCatalog creates self-contained applications to access your favorite web services without much difficulty. Whether you decide to use this approach or not depends on your preferences. I understand that many users may want to keep their web apps on a browser as they have done until now. Luckily, there is a Basic license of the product you can try at no cost. Moreover, there are other two paid licenses, Lifetime and Pro, offering additional features, such as more accounts, app lock and cloud sync.

Review summary

Pros

  • Based on Chromium: fast and reliable
  • Easy to deploy a new desktop application
  • Custom name and icon
  • Runs in sandboxed mode: multiple accounts and preserved privacy
  • Supports full-screen mode and maintenance operations

Cons

  • Not all web services can be turned into desktop applications

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