Shadow Claude vs Cluely: Full Comparison for 2026
Cluely made AI interview tools famous. But is it actually the best option? We compare both tools on every metric that matters.
Key Takeaways
- → Shadow Claude uses Claude Sonnet 4.6 + Opus 4.6. Cluely uses unspecified "latest AI models" — no model consistency
- → Shadow Claude includes stealth at $20/mo. Cluely charges $75/mo for stealth — their $20 plan has no screen-share invisibility
- → Cluely is Mac only (no Windows). Shadow Claude is Windows only (Mac Q2 2026). No platform overlap.
- → Cluely had an 83K user data breach in 2025. Shadow Claude stores nothing in the cloud — all audio processed locally via Whisper
- → Cluely has pivoted toward general meetings. Shadow Claude is purpose-built for technical interviews with tuned prompts
Shadow Claude and Cluely are both AI interview assistants — desktop applications that transcribe interviewer questions in real-time and generate suggested answers in an overlay window invisible to screen sharing. Shadow Claude is built in Rust on Anthropic's Claude Sonnet 4.6 and Opus 4.6 with local Whisper transcription. Cluely uses multiple unspecified models with cloud-based transcription.
Cluely gained attention in 2025 but has since pivoted toward general meeting assistance and is now Mac-only. It also suffered an 83,000-user data breach in 2025. Shadow Claude launched in 2026 focused on AI model quality, audio privacy (100% local processing), and affordability. Here's how they compare across every dimension that matters for technical interviews.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | Shadow Claude | Cluely | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI Model | Claude Sonnet 4.6 + Opus 4.6 | Multiple (unspecified) | Shadow Claude |
| Built With | Rust | Electron | Shadow Claude |
| Platform | Windows (Mac Q2 2026) | Mac only | Shadow Claude |
| Voice Detection | Yes (local Whisper) | Yes (cloud) | Shadow Claude |
| Screenshot Analysis | Yes (Vision AI) | Yes | Tie |
| Stealth (base plan) | Yes (all tiers) | $75/mo tier only | Shadow Claude |
| Resume-Aware Answers | Yes | No | Shadow Claude |
| Audio Privacy | 100% local (Whisper) | Cloud (had 83K user breach) | Shadow Claude |
| Data Storage | Local only | Cloud | Shadow Claude |
| Follow-Up Suggestions | Yes (3 per answer) | No | Shadow Claude |
| Free Plan | 31,400 tokens/mo | Limited (no stealth) | Shadow Claude |
| Paid Plan | $20/mo (stealth included) | $20 (no stealth) / $75 (stealth) | Shadow Claude |
| Interview Focus | Technical interviews | Meetings (pivoted from interviews) | Shadow Claude |
Shadow Claude wins 11 of 13 categories. Cluely wins 0. 2 ties. Data verified from competitor sites, March 2026.
The Biggest Difference: AI Model Quality
The AI model powering the tool is the single most important factor in answer quality. Shadow Claude uses Anthropic's Claude Sonnet 4.6 for fast voice answers and Opus 4.6 for harder screenshot and system design questions. Cluely advertises "latest AI models" without specifying which — meaning no consistency between sessions.
Claude Sonnet 4.6 outperforms GPT-based models in every interview category: hard algorithm problems (10/10 vs 7/10), system design (10/10 vs 8/10), and explanation clarity (10/10 vs 7/10). The explanation clarity gap is especially important — during a live interview, you need answers that are easy to paraphrase naturally.
Read our full Claude Sonnet 4.6 vs GPT model comparison for detailed examples and scoring.
Privacy: Local vs Cloud Transcription
Shadow Claude runs Whisper AI locally on your machine. Your interview audio is processed entirely on-device — no audio data is ever sent to any server. The only network call is the transcribed text sent to Claude for answer generation.
Cluely sends audio to cloud servers for transcription. This means your interview audio travels over the internet and is processed on third-party infrastructure. It also creates network traffic that corporate VPNs and monitoring tools can detect. For a deeper dive, read why local Whisper transcription matters for privacy.
Pricing Comparison
Shadow Claude
- ✓ Free: 31,400 tokens/mo
- ✓ Pro: $20/mo (1.5M tokens)
- ✓ Unlimited: $75/mo
- ✓ No credit card for free tier
Cluely
- — Free: limited (no stealth)
- — Pro: $20/mo (no stealth)
- — Stealth: $75/mo
- — Mac only (no Windows)
When to Choose Each Tool
Choose Shadow Claude if:
- → You want the best AI model quality (Claude Sonnet 4.6)
- → You care about audio privacy (local transcription)
- → You want resume-personalized answers
- → You want a free plan with no credit card
- → You're on Windows
Choose Cluely if:
- → You're on Mac (Cluely is Mac-only)
- → You need general meeting assistance, not just interviews
- → You can afford $75/mo for stealth mode
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shadow Claude better than Cluely for coding interviews?
Yes. Shadow Claude uses Claude Sonnet 4.6 and Opus 4.6, which outperform the models Cluely uses on hard LeetCode problems, system design questions, and explanation clarity. Shadow Claude also includes stealth in its $20/mo plan — Cluely charges $75/mo for stealth mode.
Is Cluely cheaper than Shadow Claude?
No. Shadow Claude offers a free tier with 31,400 tokens/month and paid plans starting at $20/month with stealth included. Cluely's base plan is $20/month but does not include stealth mode — you need the $75/month tier for screen-share invisibility. Shadow Claude includes stealth at every tier, including free.
Does Cluely work on Windows?
No. Cluely is currently Mac only — there is no Windows download available. Shadow Claude is Windows-only with Mac support coming Q2 2026. If you're on Windows, Shadow Claude is your option. If you're on Mac, consider FinalRoundAI.
Are both tools invisible to screen share?
Shadow Claude includes stealth (screen-share invisibility) at every tier, including the free plan. Cluely only includes stealth on its $75/month 'Pro + Undetectability' tier — the $20/month plan does not include stealth. Shadow Claude uses Windows SetWindowDisplayAffinity with WDA_EXCLUDEFROMCAPTURE.
Try Shadow Claude Free
31,400 tokens/month free. No credit card. The only AI interview assistant powered by Claude Sonnet 4.6.