TL;DR: Want the huge free character library? Shimeji (it needs Java). Want anime characters through Steam with a workshop behind them? DPET. Want a prank? Desktop Goose. Want a native, no-dependency app whose signature trick is turning your own pet's photos into the character? DeskSprite — ours, free to start. New to the category? Start with the beginner's guide.
The field at a glance
| App | Price | Needs | Best at |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shimeji | Free, open-source | Java runtime | The deepest library of pre-made characters |
| DeskSprite | Free to start; membership for premium & AI | Nothing — native app | AI pets from your photos; cursor-aware, Pomodoro-friendly |
| Desktop Goose | Free | Nothing | Chaos on purpose — dragged windows and memes |
| Desktop Mate | App free; characters paid | Steam | Anime-style 3D companions |
| DPET (Desktop Pet Engine) | Free + paid packs | Steam | Anime characters with a workshop ecosystem |
| Store pets (Desktop Pets, Floatoon) | Free/freemium | Nothing — Microsoft Store | Collectible pixel pets, zero setup |
Shimeji — the library
The classic. A free, open-source program (Shimeji-ee) where tiny characters walk, climb and multiply on your screen, backed by a decade of fan-made character packs — anime, games, brand mascots, original characters. The costs: it runs on Java, and getting new characters means hunting packs and loading folders manually. If you're starting here, our Shimeji walkthrough and character guide cover the whole arc.
DeskSprite — the mirror (us)
Our take: keep the charm, modernize the plumbing. A native Windows 10/11 app with no Java and no pack hunting — the built-in pet moves in on first launch, shop pets install with one click, and the AI maker turns 1–3 photos of your actual pet into a fully animated character. The pet knows when your cursor comes close, reacts to clicks, and naps while your Pomodoro runs. Free to start; membership unlocks premium pets and AI credits. Get the installer here.
Desktop Goose — the prank
A goose that drags your windows around, tracks mud across your screen and parades memes. Free, deliberately annoying, endlessly quotable in a group chat — and best enjoyed in short bursts. It's a joke that happens to be software, in the best way.
Desktop Mate & DPET — the Steam pair
The two anime-leaning options, both through Steam. Desktop Mate offers 3D anime-style companions (app free, characters paid). DPET — Desktop Pet Engine is a free desktop pet platform with a Steam Workshop behind it: the community uploads characters (including shimeji-format ones), so the roster grows without you doing anything. Both mean having Steam running; both are Windows-first. We compare DPET and DeskSprite in detail in the head-to-head.
Store pets — the zero-effort tier
The Microsoft Store has its own cluster — collectible pixel pets and shimeji-style apps like Floatoon. Install from the store, done. The ceiling is lower (smaller rosters, simpler behavior), but so is the effort. Fine for a first toe in the water.
How to choose in 30 seconds
- "I want a specific anime character on my desktop" → Shimeji first (check the character hubs), DPET second.
- "I want my pet on my desktop" → DeskSprite — that's its signature feature.
- "I want to annoy my roommate" → Desktop Goose, obviously.
- "I want the least possible fuss" → Store pets, or DeskSprite's built-in pet (zero configuration either way).
- "I live in Steam already" → DPET or Desktop Mate.
Windows 10/11 compatibility notes
Everything above runs on Windows 10 and 11. The one recurring dependency is Java (Shimeji only) — keep it updated and you're set. Store apps sandbox themselves; Steam apps need Steam running in the background. And if you ever wonder whether that download button is legit, the safety checklist applies to this whole category, not just Shimeji.
FAQ
What is the best desktop pet for Windows?
It depends on what you're after: for a huge free library of pre-made anime characters, Shimeji (needs Java); for anime-style characters through Steam with a workshop community, DPET; for deliberate chaos, Desktop Goose; for a native modern app that also turns your own pet's photos into a character, DeskSprite. The comparison table above breaks down all of them.
Are desktop pets safe for Windows?
Yes, when downloaded from their official sources — Shimeji from kilkakon.com, DPET and Desktop Mate from Steam, store pets from the Microsoft Store, DeskSprite from desksprite.com. The risks live in lookalike download sites and random third-party packs, not in the apps themselves. We keep a full breakdown in Is Shimeji Safe.
Do desktop pets slow down your PC?
A single well-made pet is nearly free — it renders in a small transparent window with lightweight idle loops. The cost scales with the crowd: a dozen characters rendering live is a real slice of CPU and RAM. One or two pets won't noticeably affect a Windows 10/11 machine.
Do desktop pets work on Windows 11?
Yes. All the options in this roundup run on Windows 11 — Shimeji-ee, Steam apps like DPET and Desktop Mate, Microsoft Store apps, and DeskSprite. The one dependency to keep updated is Java for Shimeji; everything else installs like a normal Windows app.
Are there free desktop pets for Windows?
Most of the category is free at its core: Shimeji is free and open-source, DPET and Desktop Mate are free apps with optional paid characters, Desktop Goose is free, and DeskSprite is free to start — its app, built-in pet and the free shop pets cost nothing.
Start with one, not five
The honest advice from someone who installs these for a living: pick the one that matches the sentence you'd say out loud ("I want my cat up there"), install just that, live with it a week. If it's ours you're trying: the app is free, no account needed, and the built-in pet moves in on first launch.