Compare · Shimeji
Desksquattaz vs Shimeji. Different animals.
Shimeji: The desktop mascot that climbs your windows, with a character for every fandom. Desksquattaz: a deadpan box cat with his own life on your Windows desktop. Here’s an honest look at both.
- Origin
- Japanese freeware mascot program; Shimeji-ee is the popular Windows fork
- Price
- Free
- Platforms
- Windows (Shimeji-ee needs Java); community ports elsewhere
- Vibe
- Characters walk, climb and cling to windows, fall, and multiply
Where Shimeji wins
- Character variety: fans have made sprite packs for almost any character you can name.
- Fun window physics: they climb, hang off, and throw your windows around.
- Free and endlessly customizable if you like making your own sprites.
Where Toastah is different
- He has his own computer full of games, and he plays some of them with you.
- One character, written deeply, instead of many characters with the same behaviors.
- Toastah has a schedule, a job, a bank balance, a journal, and trips that leave real files on your desktop.
- Care lives in real folders and never punishes you if you forget.
- With Cat Plan he chats and remembers you.
| Side by side | Shimeji | Desksquattaz |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in games | Not listed | 12 (5 free) |
| Co-op games with you | Not listed | Yes: 5 local co-op games |
| Tamagotchi-style care | Not listed | Real-folder bowl and litter, kibble bank and shop, streaks, achievements. Never dies. |
| Own daily schedule: naps, work, trips | Not listed | ✓ Yes |
| Uses real files: stash, bowl, litter, souvenirs | Not listed | ✓ Yes |
| Has his own computer with apps and games | Not listed | ✓ Yes |
| Climbs and drags your windows | Not listed | — No |
| Any character you want | Characters by artists worldwide | Toastah, plus add-on roommates |
| Talks back and remembers you | Not listed | With Cat Plan |
| Price | Free | Free, Cat Plan optional |
| Platforms | Windows (Java) | Windows |
| Still being updated | Not listed | 14 builds in the last 30 days |
Pick Shimeji if
You want your favorite character on screen, or a crowd of them, climbing everything.
Pick Desksquattaz if
You want one character with a real routine and opinions, who changes the desk over time.
they climb windows. I own the desk. different career paths. — Toastah, asked for comment
Last updated: 17 October 2026
Facts about other apps checked October 2026 from their official pages. Something wrong? Tell us at hello@desksquattaz.com.
Try him
Free, and he’ll ignore you. That’s the deal.
Other comparisons: vs Desktop Goose · vs Neko · vs BonziBuddy · vs Bongo Cat · vs VPet-Simulator · vs Sill Cats · vs Desktop Mate · vs My Desktop Cat · vs Pets Therapy