Alt-Tab Thingy Alternatives

Alt-Tab Thingy is described as 'If you are not familiar with the Alt-Tab task switcher in Windows, its a keyboard short-cut (hot-key) to enable fast switching between applications/windows. This feature has been in Windows since Windows 3.0 and is largely unchanged since Windows 95!' and is an app in the os & utilities category. There are more than 10 alternatives to Alt-Tab Thingy for Windows, Mac and Linux. The best Alt-Tab Thingy alternative is Compiz, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Alt-Tab Thingy are Witch, VistaSwitcher, Alt-Tab Terminator and Hyperswitch.

Alt-Tab Thingy iconAlt-Tab Thingy
  2
  • Free • Proprietary
  • ...

If you are not familiar with the Alt-Tab task switcher in Windows, its a keyboard short-cut (hot-key) to enable fast...

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Alt-Tab Thingy alternatives page was last updated Mar 8, 2025
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  1. Compiz icon

    Compiz

     161 likes
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    Compiz is a compositing manager adding fancy effects to your windows, from drop shadows to awesome desktop effects like the Desktop Cube or the Expo view.

    27 Compiz alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • International

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Compiz screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  Dark Mode
    3.  Support for scripting
    4.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    5.  No Tracking
    6.  No registration required

    Compiz VS Alt-Tab Thingy

     
    Comments about Compiz as an Alternative to Alt-Tab Thingy
    Guest
    Negative •Mar 8, 2025
    0

    Compiz is a compositing manager, not an alt-tab replacement

    Alt-Tab Thingy Icon
    Compiz icon

    • Compiz is the most popular Linux alternative to Alt-Tab Thingy.

    • Compiz is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Alt-Tab Thingy.

    • Compiz is Free and Open SourceAlt-Tab Thingy is Free and Proprietary
    • Compiz is Privacy focused and LightweightAlt-Tab Thingy is not according to our users
  2. Witch icon

    Witch

     13 likes
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    Witch lets you access all of your windows by pressing a shortcut and choosing from a clearly arranged list of window titles.

    27 Witch alternatives

    License model

    Country of Origin

    • AT flagAustria
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Witch screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Window Switching
    2.  Integrated Search

    Witch VS Alt-Tab Thingy

     

    • Witch is the most popular Mac alternative to Alt-Tab Thingy.

    • Witch is the most popular commercial alternative to Alt-Tab Thingy.

    • Witch is Paid and ProprietaryAlt-Tab Thingy is Free and Proprietary
  4. VistaSwitcher icon

    VistaSwitcher

     36 likes
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    VistaSwitcher is an elegant and powerful task management utility for Windows OS. Once installed, it replaces the default Windows Alt-Tab dialog with a nice box that shows a list of all running tasks, with their names and preview snapshots, and enables the user to take actions on...

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • RU flagRussia

    Platforms

    • Windows
    VistaSwitcher screenshot 1
    Discontinued

    The program is no longer updated. Last version, 1.1.5, released in May 2012, can be still downloaded from the official website.

    VistaSwitcher Features

    1.  Support for Multiple Monitors
    2.  Window Switching

    VistaSwitcher VS Alt-Tab Thingy

     

    • VistaSwitcher is the most popular Windows alternative to Alt-Tab Thingy.

    • VistaSwitcher is Free and ProprietaryAlt-Tab Thingy is also Free and Proprietary
  5. Alt-Tab Terminator icon

    Alt-Tab Terminator

     6 likes
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    Alt-Tab Terminator is a powerful task management utility for Windows. It replaces the Alt-Tab with a box that shows a list of all tasks, their names and preview snapshots, and enables to take actions on them. It is the successor to VistaSwitcher.

    License model

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • RU flagRussia

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Alt-Tab Terminator screenshot 1

    Alt-Tab Terminator Features

    1.  Support for Hotkeys

    Alt-Tab Terminator VS Alt-Tab Thingy

     
  6. Hyperswitch icon

    Hyperswitch

     10 likes
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    HyperSwitch provides a compelling alternative to HyperDock for keyboard junkies.

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Hyperswitch screenshot 1

    Hyperswitch VS Alt-Tab Thingy

     
  7. SpaceLauncher icon

    SpaceLauncher

     2 likes
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    With SpaceLauncher for macOS, you can launch or switch to an app by pressing a pre-defined key while holding down spacebar.

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    SpaceLauncher screenshot 1

    SpaceLauncher VS Alt-Tab Thingy

     
  9. ThumbWin icon

    ThumbWin

     3 likes
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    ThumbWin can minimize the window on your desktop as thumbnails.

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    ThumbWin screenshot 1

    ThumbWin VS Alt-Tab Thingy

     
  10. AltTabAlternative icon

    AltTabAlternative

     7 likes
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    Alternative application for Windows' native task switcher (Alt + Tab).

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Country of Origin

    • IN flagIndia

    Platforms

    • Windows
    AltTabAlternative screenshot 1

    AltTabAlternative Features

    1.  Portable

    AltTabAlternative VS Alt-Tab Thingy

     
  11. Topdesk icon

    Topdesk

     3 likes
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    TopDesk radically reduces the time you spend switching between tasks by giving you the ability to quickly find the window you want from a thumbnail view.

    License model

    Country of Origin

    • AU flagAustralia

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Topdesk screenshot 1
    Discontinued

    The site has not been updated since 2016, the latest version does not work well on Windows 10

    Topdesk VS Alt-Tab Thingy

     
  12. TaskSwitchXP icon

    TaskSwitchXP

     8 likes
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    TaskSwitchXP is an advanced task management utility that picks up where the standard Windows Alt+Tab switcher leaves off. It provides the same functionality, and adds visual styles to the dialog and also enhances it by displaying thumbnail preview of the application that will be...

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
    TaskSwitchXP screenshot 1

    TaskSwitchXP VS Alt-Tab Thingy

     
  13. Winflip icon

    Winflip

     4 likes
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    WinFlip emulates Windows Vistas "Flip 3D" effect for Windows XP. Using the hotkey of your choice, you can find the window youre looking for in a fast, clean 3D interface.

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Country of Origin

    • JP flagJapan

    Platforms

    • Windows
    WinFlip simulates Vista's "Flip 3D" effect with a hotkey

    Winflip VS Alt-Tab Thingy

     
  14. HyperKeys icon

    HyperKeys

     2 likes
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    Unleash the power of your keyboard by letting you bind ANY action to a shortcut. It's open-source and fully extendable. You can code you own actions or use one from the community !

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Country of Origin

    • FR flagFrance
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    HyperKeys screenshot 1

    HyperKeys Features

    1.  Window Pinner
    2.  Support for Hotkeys

    HyperKeys VS Alt-Tab Thingy

     
    Comments about HyperKeys as an Alternative to Alt-Tab Thingy
    Adam Gates
    Negative •Jun 28, 2023
    0

    Doesn't really provide an alt-tab alternative

    Alt-Tab Thingy Icon
    HyperKeys icon
    • HyperKeys is Free and Open SourceAlt-Tab Thingy is Free and Proprietary
12 of 19 Alt-Tab Thingy alternatives