BAND for desktop vs Conductor
Last reviewed: September 2026
BAND for desktop is the better choice when your agents' tasks depend on each other, because agents hand off work in shared rooms instead of waiting for you to relay it. Conductor is the better choice for unrelated tasks on a Mac, where a clean workspace-per-task review flow matters most. Scores: BAND for desktop 8.3, Conductor 6.6.
How do BAND for desktop and Conductor differ at a glance?
BAND for desktop
8.3/10
Tasks that depend on each other, handed off in shared rooms.
Conductor
6.6/10
Unrelated tasks on a Mac, with a clean workspace-per-task review flow.
Which features does each of BAND for desktop and Conductor have?
| Feature | BAND for desktop | Conductor |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Collaborative: agents hand off via @mentions in shared rooms | Parallel: each task in its own workspace, branch and review path |
| Agents | Claude Code via BAND's plugin (documented in docs.band.ai); Codex, GitHub Copilot and OpenCode listed as coding-agent integrations on band.ai/integrations | Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, OpenCode |
| Agent-to-agent handoff | Yes | Not described |
| Local execution | Yes, macOS and Linux; Windows not yet supported | Yes, macOS only |
| Cloud execution | No (coordination only) | Yes, microVMs on Pro |
| Shared board | Kanban board and architecture view listed for desktop, marked Coming July 2026 on band.ai | Workspace list |
| Human collaboration | Humans respond in place in the room | Multiplayer workspace links (up to 5 Pro users) |
| Open source | No | No |
| Entry price | Free; Pro $17.99/mo (single-user); teams on Enterprise by quote | Free; Pro $50/mo; Teams $60/user/mo |
How do BAND for desktop and Conductor score on each criterion?
| Criterion | BAND for desktop | Conductor |
|---|---|---|
| Agent-to-agent handoff (25%) | 9.5 | 3.5 |
| Multi-vendor agents (20%) | 7.5 | 8.5 |
| Local execution (15%) | 9.5 | 7.0 |
| Shared visibility (15%) | 7.5 | 7.0 |
| Human intervention (10%) | 9.0 | 7.5 |
| Setup effort (8%) | 7.0 | 8.5 |
| Price (7%) | 6.5 | 7.5 |
How does each handle a two-agent task?
Example: Codex refactors the config loader; Claude Code updates three call sites
In Conductor, you run two workspaces. When Codex finishes, you review its diff, merge or rebase, then brief Claude Code on the new interface.
In BAND for desktop, Codex hands the call-site task to Claude Code by @mention with a note on the new interface; you approve the result.
Should you choose BAND for desktop or Conductor?
BAND is a client of the agency behind this site.
Choose BAND for desktop if...
- Tasks feed each other
- Tasks need Codex, GitHub Copilot or OpenCode alongside Claude Code
- You work on Linux (BAND supports macOS and Linux; Windows is not yet supported)
Choose Conductor if...
- Tasks are unrelated
- You want cloud microVMs
- You want a polished diff and review path per task
- You use Cursor's agent
Can you use BAND for desktop and Conductor together?
Conductor's per-task isolation and BAND's handoffs address different problems, but running both means two places to look. Pick based on whether your tasks are unrelated.
Questions about BAND for desktop vs Conductor
Is BAND a Conductor alternative?
Yes, for teams that need handoffs. See all Conductor alternatives.
Which works on Linux or Windows?
Conductor's local workspaces are macOS only. BAND for desktop supports macOS and Linux; Windows is not yet supported. Neither runs locally on Windows.
Which is cheaper for one developer?
Both have free tiers. BAND Pro is $17.99/month; Conductor Pro is $50/month.