Claude Overlay vs Proxon (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Claude Overlay and Proxon on pricing, features, and fit, so you can decide which is right for you.
Quick answer
Claude Overlay and Proxon are both strong choices, but they fit different needs. Choose Claude Overlay if you mainly need getting inline ai coding help while working inside an ide without switching windows — its edge is completely free with no additional subscription or api fees beyond your claude plan. Choose Proxon if you need auditing all ai applications in use across a large enterprise to identify shadow it risks — its edge is provides comprehensive visibility into both approved and unauthorized ai tool usage. Claude Overlay starts at Free; Proxon starts at On request.
Features compared
- Always-on-top floating chat window that overlays any application on Windows
- Full Claude Code agent integration with screen-reading and file-editing capabilities
- No API key required - works directly with your existing Claude subscription
- Open-source MIT license with a fully auditable and customizable codebase
- Automated discovery and inventory of all AI tools across an organization, including shadow AI
- Ownership assignment and policy binding per AI system
- Real-time spend tracking and budget attribution for each AI tool
- Centralized compliance and governance dashboard for IT and security teams
Pros & cons
- Completely free with no additional subscription or API fees beyond your Claude plan
- Always-on-top overlay eliminates context switching and keeps AI assistance instantly accessible
- Open-source codebase is transparent, auditable, and customizable for developers
- Windows-only, so macOS and Linux users cannot use it without workarounds
- Requires an active Claude subscription, so it is not truly free for users without one
- Provides comprehensive visibility into both approved and unauthorized AI tool usage
- Directly links AI tools to owners, policies, and costs for clear accountability
- Designed specifically for enterprise security and IT governance workflows
- Pricing is not publicly available, making it difficult to budget without a sales conversation
- May require significant onboarding effort to fully integrate with existing IT infrastructure
The verdict
Choose Claude Overlay if
you mainly need to getting inline ai coding help while working inside an ide without switching windows. Its edge: completely free with no additional subscription or api fees beyond your claude plan.
Choose Proxon if
you mainly need to auditing all ai applications in use across a large enterprise to identify shadow it risks. Its edge: provides comprehensive visibility into both approved and unauthorized ai tool usage.
Frequently asked questions
Is Claude Overlay better than Proxon?
Neither is universally better. Claude Overlay is stronger for getting inline ai coding help while working inside an ide without switching windows, with an edge in completely free with no additional subscription or api fees beyond your claude plan. Proxon is stronger for auditing all ai applications in use across a large enterprise to identify shadow it risks, with an edge in provides comprehensive visibility into both approved and unauthorized ai tool usage. Pick based on your main task.
Which is cheaper, Claude Overlay or Proxon?
Claude Overlay starts at Free and Proxon starts at On request. Free tier: Claude Overlay — Fully free and open-source (MIT license); Proxon — No public free tier.
What is Claude Overlay best for?
Claude Overlay is best for getting inline ai coding help while working inside an ide without switching windows, asking claude to read, edit, or debug files visible on your screen in real time, using natural-language commands to navigate or refactor an unfamiliar codebase hands-free.
What is Proxon best for?
Proxon is best for auditing all ai applications in use across a large enterprise to identify shadow it risks, enforcing ai usage policies and mapping each tool to a responsible owner, tracking and controlling ai-related software spend across business units.
Do Claude Overlay and Proxon have free plans?
Claude Overlay: Fully free and open-source (MIT license). Proxon: No public free tier. Check each tool's pricing page for current limits, as plans change.