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, Winstep Nexus, ObjectDock and Eww.

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

Cairo-Dock

Application Launcher
Free • Open Source

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

More about Cairo-Dock

Cairo-Dock alternatives page was last updated Oct 13, 2023

RocketDock
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.
67 RocketDock alternatives
License model
- Free • Proprietary
Application types
- Application Launcher
- Desktop Customization Tool
Platforms
- Windows
RocketDock Features
Dock
Launcher
Show all NaN RocketDock features ▾
+1
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The program is no longer updated, but last version, 1.3.5, released in September 2008, can be still downloaded from the official website.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."
RocketDock VS Cairo-Dock
Is RocketDock a good alternative to Cairo-Dock?
- Most users think RocketDock is a great Cairo-Dock alternative.
- RocketDock is the most popular Windows alternative to Cairo-Dock.
- RocketDock is the most popular free alternative to Cairo-Dock.
- RocketDock is Free and ProprietaryCairo-Dock is Free and Open Source

Docky
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.
50 Docky alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
- Application Launcher
- Desktop Customization Tool
Platforms
- Linux
Docky Features
Launcher
Dock
Window docking
Show all NaN Docky features ▾
+1
Discontinued
Last commit and last available version from 2015-09-02
Docky VS Cairo-Dock
Is Docky a good alternative to Cairo-Dock?
Comments about Docky as an Alternative to Cairo-Dock

Guest
it's just simple and the best
Positive comment •Nov 24, 2016
0
- Almost everyone thinks Docky is a great Cairo-Dock alternative.
- Docky is the most popular Linux alternative to Cairo-Dock.
- Docky is the most popular Open Source alternative to Cairo-Dock.
- Docky is Free and Open SourceCairo-Dock is also Free and Open Source

Winstep Nexus
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.
37 Winstep Nexus alternatives
License model
- Freemium • Proprietary
Application types
- Application Launcher
- Desktop Customization Tool
Platforms
- Windows
Winstep Nexus Features
Dock
Skins
Extensive settings menu
Launcher
Show all NaN Winstep Nexus features ▾
Winstep Nexus VS Cairo-Dock
Is Winstep Nexus a good alternative to Cairo-Dock?

Ad
Winstep Nexus
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.

https://www.winstep.net/nexus.asp
Learn More
ObjectDock
ObjectDock is an animated dock for Windows that enables you to quickly access and launch your favorite applications, files and shortcuts.
54 ObjectDock alternatives
License model
- Paid • Proprietary
Application types
- Application Launcher
- Desktop Customization Tool
Platforms
- Windows
ObjectDock Features
Launcher
Dock
Show all NaN ObjectDock features ▾
+1
ObjectDock VS Cairo-Dock
Is ObjectDock a good alternative to Cairo-Dock?
- Most users think ObjectDock is a great Cairo-Dock alternative.
- ObjectDock is the most popular commercial alternative to Cairo-Dock.
- ObjectDock is Paid and ProprietaryCairo-Dock is Free and Open Source

Eww
Elkowars Wacky Widgets is a standalone widget system made in Rust that allows you to implement your own, custom widgets in any window manager.
41 Eww alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
- Desktop Customization Tool
Platforms
- Linux
+4
Eww Features
1. Support for scripting
2. Widgets
3. Customizable
4. Custom widgets
5. Configurable
6. Gtk
7. Rust
Show all NaN Eww features ▾
Eww VS Cairo-Dock
Is Eww a good alternative to Cairo-Dock?

Plank
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.
16 Plank alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
- Application Launcher
Platforms
- Linux
Top Plank Features
1. Dock
2. Clipboard monitoring
3. No registration required
4. Works Offline
5. Dark Mode
6. Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
7. Lightweight
8. Privacy focused
9. Ad-free
10. XFCE support
11. Launcher
12. Intuitive Nodes
Show all NaN Plank features ▾
Plank VS Cairo-Dock
Is Plank a good alternative to Cairo-Dock?

MaxLauncher
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.
46 MaxLauncher alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
- Application Launcher
Platforms
- Windows
MaxLauncher Features
1. Portable
2. Ad-free
3. Dark Mode
4. Lightweight
5. Launcher
Show all NaN MaxLauncher features ▾
MaxLauncher VS Cairo-Dock
Is MaxLauncher a good alternative to Cairo-Dock?

Latte Dock
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.
19 Latte Dock alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
- Application Launcher
Platforms
- Linux
- KDE
Latte Dock Features
Dock
Show all NaN Latte Dock features ▾
Latte Dock VS Cairo-Dock
Is Latte Dock a good alternative to Cairo-Dock?

tint2
tint2 is a simple panel/taskbar unintrusive and light (memory / cpu / aestetic). We try to get virtual desktop and multi-monitor easier to use. We follow freedesktop specifications.
32 tint2 alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Platforms
- Linux
- BSD
tint2 Features
Lightweight
Dock
Software Management
Show all NaN tint2 features ▾
Discontinued
"The final release of tint2 is 17.0.2.The code is frozen and no more feature requests are accepted."
tint2 VS Cairo-Dock
Is tint2 a good alternative to Cairo-Dock?

CLaunch
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.
54 CLaunch alternatives
License model
- Free • Proprietary
Application type
- Application Launcher
Platforms
- Windows
CLaunch Features
1. Lightweight
2. Ad-free
3. Customizable
4. Support for Themes
5. No registration required
6. Dark Mode
7. Portable
8. Works Offline
9. Support for Gestures
Show all NaN CLaunch features ▾
Warning
VirusTotal categorizes it as a trojan when uploaded to the site: https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/16c7a291d2fceda4942a17bdeef55ae34fd9db781a18e4d43dfcb8f79d13e957
CLaunch VS Cairo-Dock
Is CLaunch a good alternative to Cairo-Dock?

Sidebar
Sidebar is a software tool developed to improve the MacOS Dock experience by providing enhanced usability and multitasking features. The software replaces the MacOS Dock and offers a variety of features designed to enhance multitasking and usability.
55 Sidebar alternatives
License model
- Paid • Proprietary
Application type
- Application Launcher
Platforms
- Mac
+1
Sidebar Features
1. Ad-free
2. Multi-Screen
3. Snap windows
4. Dock
5. Customizable
6. Sidebar
Show all NaN Sidebar features ▾
Sidebar VS Cairo-Dock
Is Sidebar a good alternative to Cairo-Dock?
- Sidebar is the most popular Mac alternative to Cairo-Dock.
- Sidebar is Paid and ProprietaryCairo-Dock is Free and Open Source

InfyniDock
InfyniDock is an alternative dock for macOS that provides an expanded window of open windows without collapsing them. It offers keyboard shortcuts to switch between windows and allows for customizable themes.
32 InfyniDock alternatives
License model
- Paid • Proprietary
Platforms
- Mac
InfyniDock Features
Dock customization tools
Dock
Show all NaN InfyniDock features ▾
+1
InfyniDock VS Cairo-Dock
Is InfyniDock a good alternative to Cairo-Dock?