Dock AlternativesApplication Launchers and other similar apps like Dock

Dock is described as 'In macOS, the Dock is used as a repository for any program or file in the operating system. It can hold any number of items and resizes them dynamically to fit while using magnification to clarify smaller resized items' and is a application launcher in the os & utilities category. There are more than 50 alternatives to Dock for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, BSD and KDE Plasma apps. The best Dock alternative is Raycast, which is free. Other great apps like Dock are RocketDock, Leader Key, ObjectDock and Cairo-Dock.

Dock iconDock
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In macOS, the Dock is used as a repository for any program or file in the operating system. It can hold any number of items...

More about Dock
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Dock alternatives page was last updated May 14, 2025
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  1. Raycast icon

    Raycast

     50 likes
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    Raycast revolutionizes Mac productivity with AI-driven task automation, command shortcuts, and customizable workflows. Create snippets, manage clipboard history, translate text, and maintain sync across devices. Discover day planning, distraction-free focus, and versatile virtual assistance.

    65 Raycast alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Google Chrome
    • Safari
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Raycast screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Application Launchers
    2.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    3.  Keyboard Shortcuts
    4.  File Search
    5.  Support for scripting
    6.  Works Offline
    7.  Built-in viewer
    8.  Ad-free
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  No registration required
    11.  No Tracking
    12.  AI-Powered

    Raycast VS Dock

     
    Comments about Raycast as an Alternative to Dock
    izikeros
    Negative Feb 1, 2025
    0

    It is more on productivity than Dock alternative

    Dock Icon
    Raycast icon

    • Raycast is the most popular Mac, iPhone & iPad alternative to Dock.

    • Raycast is the most popular free alternative to Dock.

    • Raycast is Freemium and ProprietaryDock is Free and Proprietary
    • Raycast is Lightweight and Privacy focusedDock is not according to our users
  2. RocketDock icon

    RocketDock

     291 likes
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    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.

    65 RocketDock alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Windows
    RocketDock screenshot 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 Features

    1.  Dock
    2.  Launcher

    RocketDock VS Dock

     

    • RocketDock is the most popular Windows alternative to Dock.

    • RocketDock is Free and ProprietaryDock is also Free and Proprietary
  4. Leader Key icon

    Leader Key

     7 likes
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    This macOS tool leverages fighting game style key combinations to expedite app launches, execute commands, or even activate fun features like confetti, providing a faster alternative to launchers like Spotlight, Alfred, and Raycast. It supports customization and seamless integration with existing tools.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • DK flagDenmark
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Leader Key screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  No registration required
    2.  Works Offline
    3.  Ad-free
    4.  Dark Mode
    5.  No Tracking
    6.  Support for Keyboard Shortcuts

    Leader Key VS Dock

     

    • Leader Key is the most popular Open Source alternative to Dock.

    • Leader Key is Free and Open SourceDock is Free and Proprietary
    • Leader Key is Lightweight and Privacy focusedDock is not according to our users
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Raycast icon
    Raycast

    Raycast revolutionizes Mac productivity with AI-driven task automation, command shortcuts, and customizable workflows. Create snippets, manage clipboard history, translate text, and maintain sync across devices. Discover day plan...

    https://raycast.com
    Learn More
  6. ObjectDock icon

    ObjectDock

     62 likes
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    ObjectDock is an animated dock for Windows that enables you to quickly access and launch your favorite applications, files and shortcuts.

    53 ObjectDock alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Windows
    ObjectDock screenshot 1

    ObjectDock Features

    1.  Launcher
    2.  Dock

    ObjectDock VS Dock

     

    • ObjectDock is the most popular commercial alternative to Dock.

    • ObjectDock is Paid and ProprietaryDock is Free and Proprietary
  7. Cairo-Dock icon

    Cairo-Dock

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

    46 Cairo-Dock alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • FR flagFrance
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Xfce
    • Wayland
    Cairo-Dock screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  Dock
    4.  Launcher

    Cairo-Dock VS Dock

     

    • Cairo-Dock is the most popular Linux alternative to Dock.

    • Cairo-Dock is Free and Open SourceDock is Free and Proprietary
  8. Docky icon

    Docky

     129 likes
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    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.

    49 Docky alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Banshee Application Controls
    Discontinued

    Last commit and last available version from 2015-09-02

    Docky Features

    1.  Dock
    2.  Window docking
    3.  Launcher

    Docky VS Dock

     
  10. Winstep Nexus icon

    Winstep Nexus

     43 likes
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    Enjoy a free, simple docking solution for Windows with Winstep Nexus. Create docks, sub-docks, organize apps in groups, and enjoy fun interactions with animations. Nexus Ultimate offers Shelves, Tabbed Docks, and Grid Stacks for better organization and access.

    35 Winstep Nexus alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • PT flagPortugal
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Winstep Nexus screenshot 1

    Winstep Nexus Features

    1.  Dock
    2.  Skins
    3.  Extensive settings menu
    4.  Launcher

    Winstep Nexus VS Dock

     
  11. Lattix icon

    Lattix

     2 likes
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    Lattix is an advanced and fast resource launcher that lets you launch groups of apps, files, and websites in one click. It's built to boost your productivity and streamline your workflow.

    License model

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • IN flagIndia

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Lattix screenshot 1

    Lattix Features

    1.  No registration required
    2.  Dark Mode
    3.  Works Offline
    4.  Ad-free

    Lattix VS Dock

     
  12. MaxLauncher icon

    MaxLauncher

     13 likes
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    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.

    44 MaxLauncher alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Windows
    MaxLauncher screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Portable
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  Dark Mode
    4.  Launcher

    MaxLauncher VS Dock

     
  13. Sidebar icon

    Sidebar

     2 likes
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    Sidebar transforms the macOS Dock experience, offering multi-screen support, customizable preferences, live previews on Ventura, and window management with WindowSnap. It reserves screen space to optimize display usage and supports storing multiple window configurations for flexible setups.

    55 Sidebar alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Sidebar screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Support for Themes
    2.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  Support for Multiple Monitors
    3.  Live Preview
    4.  No registration required
    5.  Works Offline
    6.  Multi-Screen
    7.  Snap windows
    8.  Dock
    9.  Support for Keyboard Shortcuts
    10.  Sidebar

    Sidebar VS Dock

     
  14. tint2 icon

    tint2

     29 likes
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    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.

    30 tint2 alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    tint2 screenshot 1
    Discontinued

    "The final release of tint2 is 17.0.2.The code is frozen and no more feature requests are accepted."

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Dock
    2.  Software Management

    tint2 VS Dock

     
  15. HyperDock icon

    HyperDock

     27 likes
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    HyperDock adds Windows 7 like features and more to Mac OS X.

    Select individual application windows & tabs just by moving the mouse on a dock item, use mouse clicks to quickly open new windows and many more."

    Window Previews Ever wondered how to activate a single wind.

    11 HyperDock alternatives

    License model

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Window preview
    Discontinued

    The last version (1.7) is from January 2017, but it's still available to download.

    HyperDock Features

    1.  Dock

    HyperDock VS Dock

     
12 of 50 Dock alternatives