LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with over 500 million members worldwide. It allows professionals to connect, find jobs, follow companies, publish articles, and build their professional brand. While LinkedIn started as a website, it has expanded to mobile apps for iOS and Android. However, many LinkedIn users wonder – is there a desktop app for LinkedIn?
Is There an Official LinkedIn Desktop App?
The short answer is no, there is currently no official LinkedIn desktop app available for download. LinkedIn’s product suite consists of their website and mobile apps only. There is no native desktop application for Windows or Mac offered by LinkedIn.
The LinkedIn website itself is fully optimized and designed to function properly on desktop browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc. So everything that can be done on a hypothetical desktop app is available through the LinkedIn website experience on a desktop or laptop.
Some key reasons why LinkedIn has not developed a desktop app include:
LinkedIn is a Website-First Experience
LinkedIn was founded in 2002 as a web-based professional networking platform, well before the rise of mobile apps. So their website remains their primary experience. For many users, accessing LinkedIn by simply opening their web browser is most natural.
Maintenance of Separate Codebases is Expensive
Creating and maintaining desktop apps in addition to mobile apps requires extra developers, QA testers, and product teams. This duplicative work would increase LinkedIn’s costs without necessarily providing proportional extra value to users.
Web Browsers are Universal
Web browsers allow LinkedIn to be accessed from any desktop device, without users having to download an app. Supporting separate native apps for Windows, Mac, Linux would be an unnecessary complication.
Focus on Mobile First Experience
In recent years, LinkedIn has prioritized improving its mobile experience, given the rise in mobile usage vs desktop usage of the site. Developing a new desktop app would divert resources from building out the mobile product.
So in summary, LinkedIn has consciously chosen to not develop an official desktop given its website-first history, the unnecessary maintenance costs, universal browser access, and its current mobile-first strategy.
Are There Unofficial LinkedIn Desktop Apps?
Even though LinkedIn itself does not offer an official desktop app, there are some third-party, unofficial desktop apps that provide LinkedIn access and functionality:
Linkevery
Linkevery is a free LinkedIn desktop app available for Windows and Mac. It offers standard LinkedIn features like messaging, notifications, search, and feed. Linkevery also integrates with Outlook, Gmail, and Slack to surface LinkedIn notifications.
LinkedUp
LinkedUp is another LinkedIn desktop app for Windows 10. It is free but also offers a paid Pro version. Features include LinkedIn messaging, notifications, post creation, profile management, and news feed browsing.
LinkedIn Browser Extensions
There are various browser extensions like Linkextender that provide LinkedIn shortcuts and added functionality when accessing the site through Chrome, Firefox, etc. So these can enhance the LinkedIn desktop website experience.
However, it is important to note unofficial third-party apps come with security and privacy risks, as they may have access to your LinkedIn data and activity. They are not vetted or endorsed by LinkedIn.
Pros of a LinkedIn Desktop App
While LinkedIn has evidently decided a desktop app is not currently necessary, there are some potential benefits to having an official LinkedIn desktop application:
Faster Performance
Native apps may provide speed improvements over browsing the LinkedIn web experience. Quicker load times and snappier performance could improve the workflow for daily LinkedIn users.
Offine Access
A desktop app could offer offline functionality for times when you do not have an internet connection. You could potentially still access contacts, messages, and compose posts.
Notifications
Native desktop notifications separate from the browser could make LinkedIn communications and interactions more visible and easier to manage.
Universal Search
Having LinkedIn integrated into the desktop search function could provide quick access to LinkedIn profiles, posts, and content.
More Features
While the website experience is robust, a desktop app could potentially incorporate additional features tailored to power users.
Cons of a LinkedIn Desktop App
There are also some downsides or disadvantages to having a separate LinkedIn desktop application:
App Fatigue
App fatigue is a growing issue, with users less inclined to download newer apps or have too many apps cluttering their desktops. Maintaining yet another app could frustrate some users.
Development Costs
As mentioned previously, building and supporting a desktop app would require LinkedIn to hire more developers, QA testers, product managers, etc. This extra overhead may not be justified.
Feature Creep
Initially, the desktop app would basically mirror the website experience. But over time, LinkedIn may be tempted to add more proprietary features only available in the desktop app and not on the website, further fragmenting their product experience.
Desktop Usage Declining
As mobile usage continues to rise and desktop usage declines across all demographics, LinkedIn may consider a desktop app a legacy product with a shrinking audience.
Security Vulnerabilities
Any time native code is run outside the browser, new potential security risks arise that must be addressed. LinkedIn may prefer to avoid these risks by sticking to web-based experiences under their control.
Is a LinkedIn Desktop App Coming?
Currently, LinkedIn has not given any indication that an official LinkedIn desktop application is in active development or being planned for future release.
The product roadmap shared publicly by LinkedIn focuses entirely on improving website and mobile experiences – there is no mention of any desktop app on their radar.
It seems unlikely LinkedIn will change course and invest in building a desktop app experience at this point unless there is a pronounced shift back to desktop usage.
That said, the technology industry moves quickly. So market forces or user demand could always compel LinkedIn to rethink their desktop strategy down the road. But for now, the website appears entrenched as LinkedIn’s preferred desktop experience.
Third-Party Tools to Enhance LinkedIn on Desktop
Even without an official app, there are still tools and options for power LinkedIn users on desktop:
Browser Extensions
Browser extensions like Linkextender, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, etc. can enhance the website experience and add useful features.
Bookmarker Toolbar
Adding bookmarks for common LinkedIn actions can expedite workflows without installing an external app.
Keyboard Shortcuts
LinkedIn’s available keyboard shortcuts for messaging, searching, notifications can save clicks and time.
Private/Incognito Mode
Use private browsing if you want to stay logged out of LinkedIn when accessing the site for research purposes.
Repurpose the Mobile App
Tools like Edge Chromium let you install the LinkedIn mobile app directly on some desktop devices.
Conclusion
LinkedIn currently has no official desktop app and appears unlikely to develop one in the foreseeable future. But third-party unofficial apps do exist, and there are pros and cons to having a desktop-only LinkedIn experience. Most LinkedIn members access the platform on mobile or the full website, without an apparent mass need for a desktop app. While helpful additions like browser extensions, toolbars, and shortcuts can supplement the LinkedIn website on desktops. So the lack of a LinkedIn desktop app is not a major hindrance for the majority of users. Those wanting an app-like experience can utilize the unofficial third-party options available. But for now, LinkedIn seems intent on perfecting its core website and mobile experiences before considering any expansion into desktop apps.