Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

CandyBar VS DockGroups

Compare CandyBar VS DockGroups and see what are their differences

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

CandyBar logo CandyBar

Brought to you by Panic and the Iconfactory, CandyBar 3 brings the best of CandyBar 2 and Pixadex 2...

DockGroups logo DockGroups

The app-grouping feature the Mac Dock never shipped.
  • CandyBar Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-12-30
  • DockGroups Main window
    Main window //
    2026-07-30
  • DockGroups Settings
    Settings //
    2026-07-30
  • DockGroups Tray icon
    Tray icon //
    2026-07-30

App Groups

  • Organize apps into named groups, each with a custom emoji icon, stored by bundle ID.

  • Pin important groups to the top of the sidebar.

  • Create and delete groups directly from the main panel โ€” no detour into Settings.

  • Default starter groups (Work, Creative, Utilities) appear on first launch.

  • Group data is saved atomically with owner-only file permissions, and the app tolerates missing fields so updates never wipe your groups.

The Floating Panel

  • A panel anchored next to your Dock that positions itself correctly whether your Dock sits at the bottom, left, or right of the screen.

  • Opens from the Dock icon or the menu bar; closes automatically when it loses focus.

  • A collapsible sidebar toggles between full labels (with shortcut badges) and a compact icon-only rail.

  • Frosted-glass or solid panel style, plus System / Light / Dark themes.

Open All / Close All โ€” the signature feature

  • Open All launches every app in a group with a small stagger (so macOS doesn't choke on simultaneous launches).

  • Close All does the reverse, and this is something no competing dock app offers:

  • Plain click โ†’ hides every app in the group

    • โŒฅ-click โ†’ quits them gracefully
    • โŒ˜-click โ†’ force-quits them
  • Live indicators show which apps in a group are currently running, and clicking a running app restores its windows โ€” including minimized ones.

In-Panel App Management

  • Add and remove apps right in the panel grid.

  • Drag to reorder apps within a group.

  • Right-click any app for Quit, Force Quit, or Show in Finder.

Keyboard Shortcuts

  • โŒ˜1โ€“9 switches groups inside the panel.

  • โŒฅโ‡ง1โ€“9 are true system-wide hotkeys that work even in full-screen apps โ€” with no Accessibility or Input Monitoring permissions needed.

Menu Bar Mode

  • An optional menu bar icon for quick access without using the Dock.

DockGroups

$ Details
freemium $9.99 / One-off (Pro)
Release Date
2026 May

CandyBar features and specs

  • User Interface Customization
    CandyBar allows users to easily customize and change macOS icons, providing a way to personalize the look and feel of their operating system.
  • Ease of Use
    The application is designed with a user-friendly interface that makes it accessible for users of all technical skill levels to change icons effortlessly.
  • Backup Feature
    CandyBar enables users to back up their current icon set before making changes, thereby providing an easy way to restore if needed.

Possible disadvantages of CandyBar

  • Discontinued Support
    CandyBar is no longer supported or updated, which means it may not work with newer versions of macOS beyond Mountain Lion.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Due to its discontinuation, users may encounter compatibility issues or limited functionality on newer macOS systems.
  • Security Risks
    Using outdated software can pose security risks, as it may not be optimized for the latest security standards or patches.

DockGroups features and specs

  • Niche Marketplace Focus
    DockGroups appears to cater specifically to boat owners and dock space seekers, providing a specialized platform rather than a generic rental service, which can lead to more relevant listings and a community of users with shared interests.
  • Potential Cost Savings
    By connecting boat owners directly with dock space providers, the platform may help users find more affordable docking solutions compared to traditional marina rates.
  • Community Building
    The 'Groups' aspect of the platform suggests a feature for connecting like-minded boaters, which could foster networking, shared resources, and social connections within the boating community.
  • Flexible Listing Options
    Dock owners may have the ability to list their available space with flexible terms, allowing them to monetize unused dock space during specific times or seasons.
  • Simplified Search Process
    A dedicated platform for dock spaces could streamline the search process for boat owners looking for temporary or long-term docking solutions, saving time compared to calling multiple marinas.

CandyBar videos

Candybar R2 Keyboard Review

More videos:

  • Review - You can't eat this Keyboard!!! - CandyBar Premium

DockGroups videos

No DockGroups videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to CandyBar and DockGroups)
Graphic Design Software
100 100%
0% 0
Mac Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Loyalty Marketing
100 100%
0% 0
Productivity
0 0%
100% 100

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing CandyBar and DockGroups.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

DockGroups's answer:

SwiftUI & AppKit

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare CandyBar and DockGroups

CandyBar Reviews

8 Best Customer Loyalty Program Software and Apps to Increase Customer Retention in 2023 [Full Review]
Loyalzoo is a loyalty software that uses the gamification concept to help businesses improve their retention. Just like CandyBar and SpotOn, it works with digitized punch-cards. LoyalZoo strives to increase the interaction between the merchant and customers.

DockGroups Reviews

We have no reviews of DockGroups yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, CandyBar seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1 time since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

CandyBar mentions (1)

  • CandyBar was so awesome... is there anything that has come close to replacing this app?
    Hey everyone. This is the app in question https://panic.com/blog/candybar-mountain-lion-and-beyond/ and it was great for swapping out general icons, folder icons, dock and sidebar icons, device icons, clipping and location icons, even badges (like the little arrow that indicates an alias)! It also did volume icons and allowed for dock customization. Beyond all that, it was a great way to organize and store icons.... Source: over 5 years ago

DockGroups mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of DockGroups yet. Tracking of DockGroups recommendations started around Jul 2026.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing CandyBar and DockGroups, you can also consider the following products

LiteIcon - LiteIcon is a simple app which allows you to change your system icons quickly and easily.

DockFlow - Switch between dock presets on MacOS instantly

Replacicon - Just updated to macOS Big Sur? You may have noticed some of the apps in your Dock look a bit inconsistent with the rest of the system.

DockIt Space - Organize your Mac Dock like never before with custom profiles for different workflow, manual profiles and automatic dock ordering!.

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