Docky Alternatives
Docky is described as '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' and is a very popular application launcher in the os & utilities category. There are more than 25 alternatives to Docky for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Linux, GNOME, Mac and Xfce. The best alternative is RocketDock, which is free. Other great apps like Docky are Plank, Cairo-Dock, Winstep Nexus and Latte Dock.
Docky is mainly a Application Launcher but alternatives to it may also be Desktop Environments or Desktop Customization Tools. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Docky.- 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The program is no longer updated, but last version, 1.3.5, released in September 2008, can be still downloaded from the official website.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."
- 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.
- Free • Open Source
- Linux
Plank vs Docky opinions
kompowiec2 better intuitive than dockyPLank is the basis of Docky - 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
Cairo-Dock vs Docky opinions
Cairo-Dock is even better than Docky. I switched to Cairo-Dock years ago. - 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
- 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.
- ObjectDock is an animated dock for Windows that enables you to quickly access and launch your favorite applications, files and shortcuts.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
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
- DragThing is the original dock designed to tidy up your Macintosh desktop.
Discontinued
Notice on https://www.dragthing.com/ of discontinuation as of 2019.