Dock Alternatives
Dock is described as 'In OS X, 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 25 alternatives to Dock for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Linux, Mac, BSD and KDE. The best alternative is RocketDock, which is free. Other great apps like Dock are Winstep Nexus (Freemium), Docky (Free, Open Source), Cairo-Dock (Free, Open Source) and ObjectDock (Paid).
- 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.
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The program is no longer updated, but last version, 1.3.5, released in September 2008, can be still downloaded from the official website.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."
- 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.
- Freemium • Proprietary
- Windows
- 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.
Discontinued
Last commit and last available version from 2015-09-02
- Cairo-Dock is an animated application launch bar for the desktop, comparable to the dock in Mac OS X or Rocket Dock (for Windows).
- Free • Open Source
- Linux
- Xfce
- ObjectDock is an animated dock for Windows that enables you to quickly access and launch your favorite applications, files and shortcuts. ObjectDock can also automatically hide itself when not in use and will reappear when you move your mouse to its position.
Discontinued
The program is no longer updated. Last version, 2.20, released in 2016, can be still bought from the official website
- 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.
- LaunchBar is a smart and powerful, keyboard driven productivity utility that lets you access and control every aspect of your digital life. Whatever you want to get done on your Mac – with LaunchBar it’s only a few keystrokes away.
- 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. As of version 0.
- Raycast lets you control your tools with a few keystrokes. It’s designed to keep you focused. Use the built-in extensions to connect with common tools and join the developer program to get early access to our API.
- 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.