ORIGINAL REDDIT POST

Seeking AltTab alternatives

I updated AltTab via homebrew the other day and my fav feature (using alt-` to switch between open windows of the current app across all Spaces) was moved behind a paywall. I wouldn’t have updated if I’d known. Usually when devs add a paid version, it…

Original postr/macapps

I updated AltTab via homebrew the other day and my fav feature (using alt-` to switch between open windows of the current app across all Spaces) was moved behind a paywall. I wouldn’t have updated if I’d known. Usually when devs add a paid version, it includes new premium features while the free version remains the same. But this case, they just yanked the previously free feature without warning. After seeing them do this, I’m never going to buy their paid version. Please suggest alternatives!

Collected discussion

25 comments

u/MC_chrome

Honestly, would also recommend supporting the alt tab dev if you can, pricing isn't ridiculous, for what it is. I would normally agree with you, but when a developer rug pulls its users and suddenly implements a $10-$25 paywall out of the blue it really doesn’t engender any warm feelings towards that developer. If the only way you can find to implement a paid option as a developer is through deception and not transparency, I don’t think it’s unreasonable for users to want to look elsewhere

u/Somtimesitbelikethat

Vorrsaint

u/Soggy_Writing_3912

I switched from DockDoor to Vorssaint just a few days ago. Its more like an "all in one" app - replacing many apps within one. For eg, the menu bar system monitoring widgets (replaced Stats), docker preview and alt-tab preview (replaced Dockdoor), clipboard history (replaced maccy/flycut/etc), window layout tiling (replaced sol/raycast/etc), app launcher (replaced raycast/sol/spotlight).

u/NeonSerpent

Holy f*ck, 74k downloads? It was released like only a month or two ago!

u/Funkbass

Dockdoor has been fantastic for me, but I might have to give this a go.

u/dziad_borowy

Ha! I recently switched from Contexts to AltTab Pro for the UX and glass, and - after a week - switched back to Contexts, for... not freezing, not lagging, and generaly "just-work"ing...

u/Black-PizzaClaw676

Try DockDoor, it's free and open source. Very nice app, works great as a replacement.

u/animateus

I am using DockDoor as well. It made my switch from Windows to Mac much smoother.

u/CtrlAltDelve

This app is insane. It seemingly came out of nowhere and has been adding features in left and right. I'm hugely impressed by it.

u/nashvortex

I use Switch https://github.com/Sanyam-G/switch I followed this app since the beginning and it is phenomenal how responsive the dev is.

u/Ok-Rest-5321

I love it I use it since it released and its amazing

u/Ok-Rest-5321

Switch is a good one

u/Exotic-Ganache-1234

DockDoor é perfeito. Com o relevante detalhe de que utiliza pouquíssima memória, ao contrário do que faz AltTab.

u/karatsidhus

https://bettercmdtab.app/ Its new, but pretty good. Honestly, would also recommend supporting the alt tab dev if you can, pricing isn't ridiculous, for what it is.

u/l_eveant_terrible

Better touch tool has a function like this you can build. I’ve been trying to consolidate my software instead of having multiple purpose built software. So I abandoned my paid version of Alt Tab and it’s totally fine.

u/darylvp

I’m using a very old one: Witch.

u/ptstones

Contexts. I recently switched to this from AltTab.

u/imbng

There is a website that lists quite a few for macOS! https://macoswm.com/

u/FrenchieM

I bought alt tab. After using it for free all these years it's only natural to give them some money. They deserve it especially when you see how ingrate their users can be.

u/Independent-Cold6832

Witch has been rock solid for me for years, but it hasn't been updated in a while, so if you're on a newer macOS check compatibility before committing to it

u/No-Bit3512

Check out Ankylix.com. It’s a one-time purchase, but it’s definitely worth trying.

u/Illustrious_Oil_9846

One thing worth checking before you commit to a replacement: cross-Space window switching on macOS leans on APIs that have gotten more restricted over time, Screen Recording permission is now required for window thumbnails since Sonoma, and Stage Manager changes how windows get enumerated across Spaces. That's part of why this category of app breaks quietly across major macOS updates more than most, not just pricing changes. Worth checking that whatever you pick has a recent commit/update for the macOS version you're actually running rather than going by feature list alone, since a lot of these were built for an older Spaces implementation and just haven't been retested.

u/Solid_Camel4664

Check out https://scopo.app It supports this and so much more! The next update I’m releasing next week will let you search browser tabs or any app tabs that use macOS native tabs, too.

u/Purple-Philosophy551

https://windowsshortcutsmac.com/ this one is the best