Open Source RocketDock AlternativesTop Application Launchers and other similar apps like RocketDock

The best open source alternative to RocketDock is Docky. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to RocketDock and many of them is open source so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to RocketDock are Cairo-Dock, Plank, Kando and Latte Dock.

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RocketDock alternatives are mainly Application Launchers, but if you're looking for Dock Utilities or Battery Monitors you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Linux, Windows, Windows + Open Source and Open Source. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to RocketDock.
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Alternatives list

  1. Docky icon
     131 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.

    50 Docky alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
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    19
    • Most users think Docky is a great RocketDock alternative.

    • Docky is the most popular Linux alternative to RocketDock.

    • Docky is the most popular Open Source alternative to RocketDock.

    • Docky is Free and Open SourceRocketDock is Free and Proprietary
  2. Cairo-Dock icon
     83 likes
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    Animated dock for Linux desktops with hardware acceleration, multi-dock support, taskbar and launcher tools, and an array of applets that can act as detachable widgets. Features a macOS-like interface, multiple themes, low CPU usage, and community-driven customization.

    46 Cairo-Dock alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Wayland
     
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    6
  3. Plank icon
     34 likes
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    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.

    18 Plank alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  4. Kando icon
     11 likes
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    Kando offers an unconventional, fast, highly efficient, and fun way of interacting with your computer! You can use it to run commands, execute macros, open files, and much more.

    13 Kando alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
     
    • Kando is the most popular Mac alternative to RocketDock.

    • Kando is Free and Open SourceRocketDock is Free and Proprietary
    • Kando is Customizable and Privacy focusedRocketDock is not according to our users
  5. Latte Dock icon
     11 likes
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    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.

    21 Latte Dock alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • KDE
     
  6. MaxLauncher icon
     14 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.

    42 MaxLauncher alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  7. TaskbarX icon
     30 likes
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    TaskbarX gives you control over the position of your taskbar icons.

    14 TaskbarX alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
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    2
    Comments about TaskbarX as an Alternative to RocketDock
    Guest
    Negative
    1

    Doesn't add another dock, only centers the taskbar.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    1

    It only centers the icons in the taskbar

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    RocketDock Icon
    TaskbarX icon
    • This alternative is disputed. TaskbarX is a legitimate RocketDock alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.

    • TaskbarX is Free and Open SourceRocketDock is Free and Proprietary
  8. Dash to Dock icon
     3 likes
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    A dock for the Gnome Shell. This extension moves the dash out of the overview transforming it in a dock for an easier launching of applications and a faster switching between windows and workspaces.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • GNOME
     
  9. Dash to Panel icon
     3 likes
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    An icon taskbar for the GNOME Shell. This extension moves the dash into the GNOME main panel so that the application launchers and system tray are combined into a single panel, similar to that found in KDE Plasma and Windows 7+.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • GNOME
     
  10. WinLaunch icon
     17 likes
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    WinLaunch is a Windows program that resembles a Mac OS X Lion Launchpad.

    Features:

    Instant access to all your important applications and documents from everywhere! Perfect Mac OS X look and feel Tons of customization options Optimized controls for touchscreens and tablets! Win.

    18 WinLaunch alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  11. MadAppLauncher icon
     12 likes
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    A simple application launcher. It is very fast and easy to use. It is unlike your common dock or menu launcher. It introduces several different features such as QWERTY based launching, tab group navigation using numbers, custom window placement for programs, and the ability to...

    42 MadAppLauncher alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  12. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Avant Window Navigator (AWN/Awn) is a dock-like navigation bar for the linux desktop that positions itself at the bottom of the screen. It can be used to keep track of open windows and behaves like a normal window list.

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
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