Core features in Persona work the same across all three desktop platforms. Live2D and VRM rendering, face and body tracking, post-processing effects, 3D lighting, automations, the Plugin API, the Web Console, and MCP all deliver the same experience regardless of OS. The differences come down to how each system handles window management, OBS capture, shortcuts, and third-party tools.
Recommended Platform
Windows Is Recommended
If you can choose your streaming setup freely, we recommend running Persona on Windows. Windows places the fewest restrictions on transparent window capture and has the broadest support for streaming hardware and authoring tools.
- Hide Stage Window (Windows-only): Completely hide the stage from your desktop while OBS keeps capturing it normally. Minimizing with Win + D or clicking the taskbar icon also hides the stage instead of freezing your stream
- True full-screen maximize: Maximizing the stage covers the entire monitor—including the taskbar—so a 1080p display gives you a full 1920×1080 canvas for OBS. On macOS and Linux, maximizing stops at the menu bar, Dock, or system panels
- Full tool ecosystem: Both the official Stream Deck plugin and Live2D Cubism Editor integration run locally on the same machine
- One-click tray access: Left-click the system tray icon at any time to bring up the Control Panel
If you work primarily on a Mac, the macOS build runs natively on Apple Silicon with the same rendering and tracking capabilities, differing only in a few window management behaviors. The Linux build also includes every core feature, though some desktop integration depends on your distribution and window manager.
System Requirements and Installation
| Windows | macOS | Linux | |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS Version | Windows 10 or later | macOS 13 Ventura or later | Ubuntu 18.04, Debian 10, RHEL 8, or newer |
| Processor | x64 (Intel / AMD) | Apple Silicon only (M-series) | x64 (Intel / AMD) |
| Installer Format | .exe installer | .dmg · .zip | .AppImage · .deb |
| In-App Updates | Supported | Supported | Supported (.deb installs may prompt for an administrator password) |
Stage Window and OBS Capture
| Windows | macOS | Linux | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transparent Window Capture in OBS | Supported | Supported | Supported |
| Hide Stage Window | Supported (hides the stage from your desktop while OBS keeps capturing) | Not supported | Not supported |
| Minimizing the Stage | Automatically hides the stage without interrupting OBS | Disabled to prevent OBS capture from freezing | Disabled to prevent OBS capture from freezing |
| Maximizing the Stage | Fills the entire screen (including the taskbar) and locks its position | Fills the screen outside the menu bar and Dock | Fills the screen outside system panels |
System Integration and Shortcuts
| Windows | macOS | Linux | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening the Control Panel | Left-click tray icon · tray menu · click the stage and press Ctrl + , | Menu bar icon · app menu · press ⌘ + , | Tray menu · click the stage and press Ctrl + , |
| Closing the Stage Window | Quits the app | Stays running in the background; click the Dock icon to reopen the stage | Quits the app |
| Drag-and-Drop Import | Drop onto the stage or Control Panel | Drop onto the stage, Control Panel, or Dock icon | Drop onto the stage or Control Panel |
| Undo and Redo | Ctrl + Z / Ctrl + Y | ⌘ + Z / ⌘ + Shift + Z | Ctrl + Z / Ctrl + Y |
| Global Shortcuts | Supported | Supported (paused while the stage window is closed) | Supported (works on X11; may be restricted on Wayland) |
| Camera and Mic Permissions | Uses system privacy settings | Prompts for permission on first use | Works directly without system prompts |
Recording and Ecosystem
| Windows | macOS | Linux | |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-Resolution Studio Mode Recording | H.264 up to 4K 60 fps; automatically switches to HEVC for 4K 120 fps and 8K | H.264 up to 4K 120 fps; automatically switches to HEVC for 8K | Depends on GPU driver support for H.264 and HEVC |
| Stream Deck Plugin | Supported | Supported | Not supported (no official Stream Deck app for Linux) |
| Cubism Editor Integration | Supported locally | Supported locally | Connect over LAN to Cubism Editor on a Windows PC or Mac |
| Default 3D Text Fonts | Microsoft YaHei · Yu Gothic · Segoe UI | PingFang SC · Hiragino Sans · Helvetica Neue | Noto Sans CJK · DejaVu Sans |
Platform Tips
Windows
- Reserved UDP ports: Windows reserves certain UDP port ranges for Hyper-V, WSL2, and Docker. If a tracking app can't connect on its default port, see Troubleshooting and pick a different port
- Upgrading from an older
.msiinstall: Legacy.msiinstallers have been retired and don't support in-app updates. If you installed Persona from an.msi, download and run the latest.exeinstaller once to enable automatic updates—your settings and scenes will stay intact
macOS
- Apple Silicon only: Persona requires a Mac with an M-series chip. Intel Macs are not supported
- Camera and microphone permissions: macOS asks for permission the first time you turn on webcam tracking or lip sync. If you accidentally denied access, enable it under System Settings → Privacy & Security and restart Persona
- Keeping your desktop tidy: Minimizing the stage is disabled on macOS so OBS capture doesn't freeze. To keep the stage out of the way while streaming, move it to a second monitor or place it behind other windows—OBS will still capture it normally
Linux
- Missing tray icon: Some desktop environments (such as GNOME without the AppIndicator extension) don't display system tray icons by default. You can always open the Control Panel by clicking the stage window and pressing Ctrl + ,
- Missing Chinese or Japanese characters in 3D text: 3D text uses Noto Sans CJK by default for Chinese and Japanese characters. If characters appear as blank boxes, install the
noto-sans-cjkpackage from your distribution's package manager - Global shortcuts on Wayland: Wayland compositors may block global shortcuts when Persona isn't focused. If you rely on background hotkeys, use an X11 session or trigger actions through the Web Console or Plugin API
Last updated on October 21, 2026