Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Designer Mill VS DockGroups

Compare Designer Mill VS DockGroups and see what are their differences

Designer Mill logo Designer Mill

Collection of Best Free Design Resources

DockGroups logo DockGroups

The app-grouping feature the Mac Dock never shipped.
  • Designer Mill Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-04-25
  • 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

Designer Mill features and specs

  • Versatile Resource Platform
    Designer Mill offers a wide array of design resources, including graphics, templates, and UI kits, making it a versatile platform for designers.
  • High-Quality Assets
    The platform provides high-quality design assets that can be used for both personal and commercial projects, ensuring professional results.
  • Regular Updates
    Designer Mill frequently updates its resource library with new and trendy design materials, keeping users updated with the latest in design.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The website is designed to be user-friendly, making it easy to navigate through various categories and find the needed resources quickly.
  • Community Engagement
    The platform encourages community engagement through forums and feedback sections, allowing users to share insights and collaborate.

Possible disadvantages of Designer Mill

  • Availability Issues
    Currently, the site is down or has been suspended, making its resources inaccessible to users at this time.
  • Limited Free Resources
    While the platform offers high-quality assets, the number of free resources available to users is limited, potentially requiring a paid subscription for full access.
  • Dependency on Internet
    As an online resource platform, Designer Mill requires a stable internet connection to access its resources, which may be inconvenient for some users.
  • Potential Overwhelming Choices
    The extensive range of resources can sometimes be overwhelming, particularly for new users who might find it difficult to pinpoint exactly what they need.
  • Quality Variation
    There can be variation in the quality of resources since they come from different contributors, which might require extra time for users to find consistently high-quality materials.

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.

Analysis of Designer Mill

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Designer Mill is considered a good resource for designers looking for diverse and high-quality design assets. Its offerings help streamline the design process, making it easier for professionals to focus on creativity and efficiency.

Why this product is good

  • Designer Mill is known for providing high-quality design resources, particularly focusing on user-friendly UI kits, icons, and vector resources that cater to designers and creative professionals. Users appreciate its commitment to offering both free and premium assets, ensuring accessibility for various budgets and project needs.

Recommended for

    Designer Mill is particularly recommended for graphic designers, UI/UX designers, freelancers, and creative agencies looking for reliable, high-quality design resources that can support various projects from web design to mobile app development.

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Designer Mill and DockGroups)
Design Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Mac Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Prototyping
100 100%
0% 0
Productivity
83 83%
17% 17

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing Designer Mill and DockGroups.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

DockGroups's answer:

SwiftUI & AppKit

User comments

Share your experience with using Designer Mill and DockGroups. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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What are some alternatives?

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

Freebiesbug - Collection of the best free web design resources.

DockFlow - Switch between dock presets on MacOS instantly

Facebook Design Resources - A collection of free resources made by designers at Facebook

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

Interfacer - Collection of more than 200+ free design resources

UI Movement - The best UI design inspiration, daily