LinkedIn is one of the most popular professional social networking platforms, with over 810 million users worldwide as of October 2022. LinkedIn allows users to create professional profiles, connect with other professionals, find jobs, network, and more.
While LinkedIn’s mobile app is very popular and useful for networking on the go, many users also want access to LinkedIn on their desktop or laptop computers. The LinkedIn website offers the core functionality, but some users prefer the convenience of having an app on their PC.
So, is there a LinkedIn desktop app available for PC? The short answer is yes – LinkedIn does offer desktop apps for Windows and Mac computers that provide an optimized LinkedIn experience similar to the mobile app.
In this article, we’ll take a deeper look at the official LinkedIn desktop apps for PC and discuss their features and functionality compared to simply using the LinkedIn website. We’ll also look at some potential alternative third-party apps for accessing LinkedIn on desktop.
Official LinkedIn App for Windows PC
The official LinkedIn desktop app for Windows can be downloaded for free from the Microsoft Store. It provides features and functionality tailored for the Windows environment while mirroring most of the capabilities of the LinkedIn mobile app.
Some of the key features of the LinkedIn for Windows app include:
- Desktop notifications for messages, mentions, job updates, and other notifications.
- Messaging capabilities for staying in touch with your network.
- Home feed with the latest posts, articles, and content from your connections.
- Access to the full LinkedIn network for searching profiles and connecting.
- Job search and alerts tailored based on your profile and preferences.
- Group participation for joining professional communities.
- News feed curated based on interests and industry.
- Profile management tools for updating your profile and settings.
The Windows app provides some advantages over simply using a browser to access LinkedIn. The desktop notifications keep you engaged without having to stay on the site constantly. It also enables some offline access to previously loaded content and profiles. The interface is optimized for Windows, with support for Windows gestures, voice assistants, stylus pens, and other features.
One downside of the Windows app is that it does not support all LinkedIn capabilities available through the full desktop website. For example, more advanced profile management, post formatting, company page administration, and advertising options are not accessible through the app. However, it covers the core networking and communication capabilities most users need.
Official LinkedIn App for Mac
LinkedIn also provides an official desktop app for Mac available from the Mac App Store. The LinkedIn for Mac app delivers a similar experience as the Windows counterpart, offering core social networking and communication features in an optimized Mac app.
Some notable features of the Mac version include:
- Notifcations for your account shown in the Mac notification center.
- A clean and simple interface following Mac design principles.
- Deep sharing features to LinkedIn directly from your Mac apps.
- Support for Mac keyboard shortcuts and trackpad gestures.
- Offine access to previously viewed content and profiles.
- A Today view showcasing trending conversations, articles, and profiles.
- Tight integration with macOS features like contacts, calendar, and bookmarks.
As with the Windows app, the Mac version focuses on core social networking functions rather than full website administration capabilities. But it excels at letting you access your network, share updates, and stay engaged with the LinkedIn community directly from your Mac desktop.
The tight integration with macOS itself through notifications, contacts, calendars, and more creates a seamless experience for accessing LinkedIn on an Apple computer. And the ability to share content from Mac apps directly to your LinkedIn profile makes it simple to update your connections.
How the Official Apps Compare to the Website
While the offcial LinkedIn desktop apps provide convenient access for Windows and Mac users, they do not offer the full range of capabilities available through the LinkedIn website itself. Here are some key differences:
| Feature | Desktop Apps | LinkedIn Website |
|---|---|---|
| Full profile management | Limited options | Full control |
| Share multimedia posts | Text only | Images, video, docs |
| Advertising & analytics | Not supported | Full campaigns & insights |
| Company page mgmt | No access | Full editing & admin |
| Search filters | Limited filters | Advanced options |
| Messaging | Full support | Full support |
As this comparison shows, the desktop and web experiences are complementary rather than overlapping entirely. The apps offer convenient access for basic networking needs while the website provides more advanced configuration and content options.
For most everyday LinkedIn users, the core app capabilities will cover the essentials for connecting and engaging with your network. Power users and business/company account administrators will want to utilize the fuller website interface at times.
Third-Party LinkedIn Apps
In addition to the official apps, there are also several third-party desktop applications for accessing LinkedIn from a Windows or Mac computer. Some examples include:
- Franz – An open-source messaging app that supports LinkedIn along with other networks.
- Chatly – Focused specifically on LinkedIn messaging and notifications.
- LinkedJet – Provides advanced posting and content marketing options.
- Streak – Allows sequenced outgoing messages and automation.
These third-party apps can offer functionality not found in the official LinkedIn apps, like cross-network access, automation, and marketing tools. However, some come at a premium price tag and most are focused on niche use cases rather than general networking needs.
Conclusion
To conclude, LinkedIn does provide official desktop apps for Windows and Mac that allow core access to LinkedIn from a PC. While not as full-featured as the website, they offer convenient native app experiences for messaging, sharing updates, searching profiles, and more.
Power users and those needing access to admin-level tools are still advised to use the full desktop website as well. And there are niche third-party apps offering unique functionality for marketing, automation, and other use cases.
But for most everyday LinkedIn users and networking needs, the official Windows and Mac apps deliver a solid experience and interface similar to the mobile apps translated to the desktop environment. So if you want to access LinkedIn from your PC, downloading the LinkedIn app for your Windows or Mac desktop is recommended for a smooth and optimized networking experience.
