Cairo-Dock AlternativesApplication Launchers and other similar apps like Cairo-Dock

Cairo-Dock is described as 'Animated application launch bar for the desktop, comparable to the dock in Mac OS X or Rocket Dock (for Windows)' and is a popular application launcher in the os & utilities category. There are more than 25 alternatives to Cairo-Dock for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Linux, Mac, GNOME and BSD apps. The best Cairo-Dock alternative is RocketDock, which is free. Other great apps like Cairo-Dock are Docky, ObjectDock, Plank and Winstep Nexus.

Cairo-Dock alternatives are mainly Application Launchers but may also be Desktop Customization Tools. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Cairo-Dock.

Cairo-Dock

Free • Open Source
Application Launcher

Cairo-Dock is an animated application launch bar for the desktop, comparable to the dock in Mac OS X or Rocket Dock (for...

More about Cairo-Dock

Cairo-Dock alternatives page was last updated

RocketDock
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Application Launcher
Desktop Customization Tool
Windows
66 RocketDock alternatives
RocketDock is a Mac OS X dock clone. It provides a nice clean interface to drop shortcuts on for easy access and organization. With each item completely customizable there is no end to what you can add and launch from the dock.
- - RocketDock is the most popular Windows alternative to Cairo-Dock.
- - RocketDock is the most popular free alternative to Cairo-Dock.
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RocketDock Features
Dock
Launcher
Discontinued
The program is no longer updated, but last version, 1.3.5, released in September 2008, can be still downloaded from the official website. "It is true, RocketDock has been discontinued. [...] The app remains available on https://rocketdock.com, but is unsupported."

Opinions about RocketDock as a Alternative to Cairo-Dock
Most users think RocketDock is a great Cairo-Dock alternative.
Docky
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Application Launcher
Desktop Customization Tool
Linux
50 Docky alternatives
Docky is a full fledged dock application that makes opening common applications and managing windows easier and quicker. Docky is fully integrated into the GNOME Desktop and features a no non-sense approach to configuration and usage. It just works.
- - Docky is the most popular Linux alternative to Cairo-Dock.
- - Docky is the most popular Open Source alternative to Cairo-Dock.
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Docky Features
Launcher
Dock
Window docking
Discontinued
Last commit and last available version from 2015-09-02

Comments about Docky as a Alternative to Cairo-Dock
Almost everyone thinks Docky is a great Cairo-Dock alternative.
Guest
it's just simple and the best
Positive comment •
0
ObjectDock
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Application Launcher
Desktop Customization Tool
Windows
55 ObjectDock alternatives
ObjectDock is an animated dock for Windows that enables you to quickly access and launch your favorite applications, files and shortcuts.
- - ObjectDock is the most popular commercial alternative to Cairo-Dock.
Suggest and vote on features
ObjectDock Features
Launcher
Dock
Discontinued
The program is no longer updated. Last version, 2.20, released in 2016, can be still bought from the official website

Opinions about ObjectDock as a Alternative to Cairo-Dock
Most users think ObjectDock is a great Cairo-Dock alternative.
Plank
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Application Launcher
Linux
16 Plank alternatives
Plank is meant to be the simplest dock on the planet. The goal is to provide just what a dock needs and absolutely nothing more. It is, however, a library which can be extended to create other dock programs with more advanced features.
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Plank Features
Dock
Clipboard monitoring
Intuitive Nodes
XFCE support
Launcher
Winstep Nexus
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Application Launcher
Desktop Customization Tool
Windows
38 Winstep Nexus alternatives
The Winstep Nexus Dock is a FREE professional dock for Windows. With Nexus, your most frequently used applications are only a mouse click away - and Nexus turns working with your computer into a fun and exciting experience.
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Winstep Nexus Features
Dock
Skins
Extensive settings menu
Launcher
CLaunch
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Application Launcher
Windows
55 CLaunch alternatives
You are free to choose double-click on the desktop and move mouse to the corner of the screen, such as a hot key, how to display more than 100.
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CLaunch Features
1. LightweightCLaunch consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Support for GesturesCLaunch supports touch or mouse gestures and interactions.
3. Ad-freeCLaunch doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. PortableCLaunch can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
5. Support for ThemesYou can use themes and templates to change the look and feel of CLaunch.
Customizable
True Launch Bar
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Application Launcher
Windows
45 True Launch Bar alternatives
True Launch Bar is a Superior replacement for the standard Quick Launch bar. All functions presented in Quick Launch are also in True Launch Bar. However, the True Launch Bar is fully compatible with Quick Launch because it uses the same folder for shortcuts.
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True Launch Bar Features
Launcher
Latte Dock
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Application Launcher
Linux
KDE
19 Latte Dock alternatives
Latte is a dock based on plasma frameworks that provides an elegant and intuitive experience for your tasks and plasmoids. It animates its contents by using parabolic zoom effect and trys to be there only when it is needed.
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Latte Dock Features
Dock
XLaunchpad
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Application Launcher
Windows
55 XLaunchpad alternatives
XLaunchpad gives you instant access to all your shortcuts. Arrange apps in XLaunchpad any way you like by dragging icons to different locations or by grouping apps in folders. Simply drag one icon over another to create a folder.
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XLaunchpad Features
1. PortableXLaunchpad can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Launcher
Warning
XLaunchPad setup installs adware extensions for browsers. VirusTotal result: https://www.virustotal.com/en/file/2a8eca9357cfae211564426dc461832ca2de70a9318ecba0468c4586fc4f4ffc/analysis/1426619620/ WOT comments: https://www.mywot.com/en/scorecard/xwidget.com
MaxLauncher
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Application Launcher
Windows
47 MaxLauncher alternatives
MaxLauncher is a simple tabbed launcher that was designed to reduce the amount of time to find and run a program. It is capable of creating multiple data files, each of which can have a maximum of 10 tabs. Each tab and button is assigned a key(eg. F1-F10, 0-9, A-Z, etc.
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MaxLauncher Features
1. PortableMaxLauncher can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
2. Ad-freeMaxLauncher doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. Dark ModeMaxLauncher supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
4. LightweightMaxLauncher consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Launcher
Avant Window Navigator
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free Personal • Open Source
Application Launcher
Linux
66 Avant Window Navigator alternatives
Avant Window Navigator (AWN/Awn) is a dock-like navigation bar for the linux desktop that positions itself at the bottom of the screen. It can be used to keep track of open windows and behaves like a normal window list.
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Avant Window Navigator Features
Window docking
Launcher
Dock
Discontinued
Doesn't seem to be activaly maintained anymore. Last update was in 2017.
Eww
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Desktop Customization Tool
Linux
35 Eww alternatives
Elkowars Wacky Widgets is a standalone widget system made in Rust that allows you to implement your own, custom widgets in any window manager.
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Eww Features
1. Support for scriptingEww supports scripts and macros to automate or customize tasks.
Widgets
Customizable
Custom widgets
Configurable
Gtk
Rust