Fences Alternatives and Similar Software

Fences allows you to compartmentalize and organize your desktop by dividing it into sections. As paid Windows software, many of you might be looking for free alternatives to Fences. Also, since it is exclusively available on Windows, others will be looking for similar software available on macOS and Linux.

The list of alternatives was last updated: 12/1/2016 9:11:00 AM

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Alternatives to Fences for all platforms with any license

Nimi Places

Organizes desktop into customizable containers - showing folders (e.g.: local folders, network locations) contents, displayed as icons/thumbnails on scrollable surface. In-built thumbnail engine is capable of displaying thumbnails for supported Open Documents and PSD images, but also for supported PDF files.
- It will not organize my icons on my desktop. Guest • Jan 2017 • 17 agrees and 10 disagrees
- This performs ONE of Fences' secondary functions: displaying the contents of directories OTHER THAN the Desktop as virtual containers on the Desktop. IT IS NOT for organizing Desktop icons/files or setting up automatic rules for categorization of new Desktop icons/files. Guest • Apr 2018 • 5 agrees and 1 disagrees
- I wanted to organize my desktop the way fences can and it worked out beatifully. I got just what I wanted from Nimi Places for free Diveji • Aug 2017 • 2 agrees and 0 disagrees
- Free, and it works almost the same. Just has a little more setup than Fences does. Guest • Feb 2018
- It will not organize my icons on my desktop. Guest • Jan 2019
- Actually it is better than Fences, giving more control over created fences. Guest • Jun 2015 • 3 agrees and 4 disagrees
- Just the basic but allows to define area where you can store link... Guest • Jul 2016 • 1 agrees and 2 disagrees
Free Windows
Group Icons Portable Skinnable Special Folders Add a feature

42 Like
Folderview Screenlet

Folderview Screenlet is a Linux alternative to Fences (which is for Windows). You can create fences on your desktop just like the original Fences software. You can also change the size and move your icons all over the desktop or hide everything on the desktop with a double click.
- Discontinued The program is no longer updated. Last version, 0.9.9, released in August 2010, can be still downloaded from the official website.
Free Linux Screenlets
Group Icons Add a feature

4 Like
VeBest Icon Groups

VeBest Icon Groups is a powerful, but easy to use and rich in animation utility. VeBest Icon Groups is a software, intended for just creative and occupied people who extremely value every spare minute and who don't want to search for the icon to launch the desired software or open the needed document. VeBest Icon Groups is an impressive, icon enhancement tool, which lets you make many funny things for your windows desktop icons.
- It creates DOCKS just like RocketDock. Guest • Nov 2016 • 1 agrees and 0 disagrees
- You can organize manually shortcuts in groups as you wish. It has some nice toolbars. ucenic • Apr 2019 • 0 agrees and 1 disagrees
Free Windows
Group Icons Stack of shortcuts Add a feature

1 Like
ICU - Icon Configuration Utility

Restore your desktop when the icons get “rearranged”. Melba23 and I found we were working on very similar ideas to restore the Desktop icons to their normal place if they became “rearranged”. Vista seems to like this doing on occasion just for fun – but we all know some applications and games which change the display resolution or move icons around.
- It only keeps the icons arranged, don't let you make fences which I think is the best feature of it. Guest • Jun 2017 • 2 agrees and 1 disagrees
Free Open Source Windows
Portable Add a feature

8 Like
Sideslide

SideSlide is an advanced, portable, unobtrusive, dockable, skinnable, instantly accessible, highly configurable Desktop Extension on Steroids! Clean desktop clutter and make your computer friendlier and faster than ever before. With unique use of containers and various innovative features, SideSlide lets you get instant access to everything you have and much more. The program respects your system and keeps all of its configuration files in a single folder.

Free Windows
Multitasking Portable Add a feature

5 Like
ToolBox

ToolBox is an application launcher for Windows operating systems with many amazing features. Easy to install, you can get going in minutes. Its drag & drop interface creates shortcuts to almost anything; applications, drives, folders, even simple files. Desktop Organizer, able to group desktop icons. A fully portable application, ToolBox does not need installation.
- Discontinued The program is no longer updated. Last version, 2.97h, released in May 2011, can be still downloaded from the official website.
Free Personal Windows
Program Launchers Customizing Drag n drop Group Icons ... Portable Add a feature

7 Like
iCollections

iCollections is an expertly designed application which helps you keep your desktop organized. The app's unique features are what make it the most popular method of desktop organization for Mac users. iCollections lets you create areas on your desktop that you can place icons into. This helps you keep related items together so your files (pictures, documents, screenshot, applications, etc.) remain organized. When selecting Photo Frame, a picture frame will be created at the desktop.

Commercial Mac
Customizable Drag n drop Group Icons Add a feature

4 Like
Desktop Groups

The app lets you create groups of related files on your desktop. You can freely move groups of files around on your desktop and add or remove files via drag & drop. Each group has a title so that you can organize your files any way you like. For example, you could create separate groups for each project you are working on, or add separate groups for photos and text documents. If you frequently take screenshots, that would be another good fit for a group. The possibilities are endless.

Commercial $ $ $ Mac
No features added Add a feature

0 Like
SE-DesktopConstructor

Free desktop customization tool, that allows to change desktop background automatically, create colored areas for the icons on the desktop and place clock and calendar on the background.
- Discontinued The company stopped development for its applications. Last versions can be still downloaded from the official website.
Free Windows
Portable Add a feature

1 Like
DesktopShelves

DesktopShelves helps you fight the clutter on your desktop by organizing files on shelves. A shelf the size of 5 icons holds 20 files. The app takes a refreshing approach to organizing files. It focuses on saving space on your screen while allowing you to always quickly access your files (via hotkey). Everything is drag and drop. You can even drop text selections on a shelf and a new file is created automatically.
- Discontinued The program is no longer updated. Last version, 2.1.4, released in November 2013, can be still bought from Mac App Store.
Commercial $ $ $ Mac
Group Icons Add a feature

0 Like
Fluid Icon Organizer

Stop arranging your icons over and over again, let us help. Fluid Icon Organizer integrates with your desktop perfectly, consumes little resources and is easy to use.

Commercial Windows
No features added Add a feature

0 Like
Dragthing

DragThing is the original dock designed to tidy up your Macintosh desktop. It puts all your documents, folders, and applications just a single click away. Highly flexible, it allows multiple docks, each customised to suit your exact needs. It stores frequently-used clippings such as text and pictures, and lets you easily paste them into other applications with just a click. DragThing also allows you to define a wide variety of hot keys.

Freemium Mac
No features added Add a feature

2 Like