Software Alternatives & Startups
Register | Login

Dockaroo VS ActiveDock

Compare Dockaroo VS ActiveDock and see what are their differences

Dockaroo

Dockaroo gives each display and each desktop its own dock, showing only the apps that have windows there. Free to use. Pro is a one-time purchase. For macOS 14 or later.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Freemium Free trial $14 / One-off (Pro)
Alternatives Is it good?
ActiveDock

Application Launcher, improved Dock for macOS, alternative to Apple Dock, uBar, HyperDock

Rating
0 reviews
Alternatives Is it good?
Notivo
Notivo is a private, per-person notebook for managers. Capture feedback, commitments, and 1:1 context as it happens — from web, iOS, WhatsApp, email, ChatGPT, or Claude — then get it back later, organized by person. sponsored

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, ActiveDock seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 14 times since March 2021.

social mentions
0 vs 14
Multi Monitor popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
7 vs 139

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Dockaroo
ActiveDock
Website dockaroo.com noteifyapp.com
Pricing
Freemium Free trial $14 / One-off (Pro) Official pricing
—
Platforms
Mac MacOS Mac OSX
—
Company 2026 —
Listed in
OS & Utilities Mac Tools Window Manager Multi Monitor +1
Window Manager Linux Mac Note Taking +1

About Dockaroo and ActiveDock

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

Dockaroo
ActiveDock

macOS shows the Dock on one display at a time. On your other screens you end up opening Mission Control or cycling through ⌘⇥ to find a window you know is there. Dockaroo fixes that by giving every display, and every desktop (Space), its own dock. Each bar shows only the apps that have windows on...

Read more about Dockaroo

No description of ActiveDock yet.

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Dockaroo 10 features
ActiveDock 4 features
  • Dock on every display
    Each display gets its own floating bar of app icons
  • Dock on every desktop
    Each Space gets its own bar with only that desktop's apps
  • Per-screen app filtering
    Shows only the apps with windows on that screen
  • Live window previews
    Hover an icon to see that app's windows, with titles
  • Click to send back
    A second click restores whatever was in front before
  • Notification badges
    Same red badges and unread counts as the macOS Dock
  • Pinned and recent apps
    Pin apps and relaunch recently quit apps from a stack
  • Flexible placement
    12 snap positions on the top, bottom, left or right edge
  • Auto-hide options
    Auto-hide, fade until hovered, or hide when covered
  • Native and lightweight
    Swift/AppKit, about 20 MB of memory when idle
  • Customizable Appearance
    ActiveDock allows users to customize the appearance of their dock, including themes, icon sizes, and separators, providing a personalized user experience.
  • Window Grouping
    Users can group windows by application, making it easier to manage and switch between multiple applications efficiently.
  • Improved Productivity
    Features like app previews, window previews, and quick switching help enhance productivity by providing quicker access to applications and open windows.
  • Quick Access to Apps
    ActiveDock allows users to create groups of applications and conveniently access them from the dock, which simplifies app management.

Possible disadvantages

  • Learning Curve
    Some users may find the range of features and customization options overwhelming at first, requiring time to learn and utilize effectively.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Certain versions of macOS might experience minor compatibility issues, affecting the performance and stability of the app.
  • Cost
    ActiveDock is a paid application, which might not be ideal for users looking for a free solution or those unwilling to invest in dock customization.
  • Resource Usage
    ActiveDock may consume additional system resources, which could slightly impact system performance, especially on older or less powerful Macs.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Dockaroo
ActiveDock

No analysis of Dockaroo yet.

Overall verdict

  • ActiveDock is generally considered a good option for Mac users who want greater flexibility and functionality in managing their applications. Users appreciate its customization options and the improvements it brings to multitasking and organization. However, it's important for users to consider their specific needs and ensure compatibility with their system preferences before adopting it.

Why this product is good

  • ActiveDock is preferred by users who are seeking enhanced organizational capabilities on their MacOS systems. It offers features such as customizable dock, window previews, and groupings of applications which can streamline workflow and improve productivity. Its intuitive interface and additional functionalities provide users with more control over their desktop environment compared to the default MacOS options.

Recommended for

    ActiveDock is recommended for power users, designers, developers, and anyone who frequently multitasks and requires a more organized workspace. It's also suitable for users who enjoy personalizing their desktop experience or need more advanced features than those provided by the standard Mac dock.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Dockaroo 0 videos + Add
ActiveDock 2 videos + Add

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

ActiveDock

More videos

  • - ActiveDock Jailbreak Tweak Review

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Dockaroo
ActiveDock
100% 100%
Multi Monitor
0% 0%
9% 9%
Window Manager
91% 91%
100% 100%
OS & Utilities
0% 0%
0% 0%
Mac
100% 100%

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing Dockaroo and ActiveDock.

What makes your product unique?

Dockaroo's answer

Dockaroo gives every display and every desktop (Space) its own dock, and each bar shows only the apps that have windows on that screen. The macOS Dock lives on one display and lists every running app, so on a second monitor you end up in Mission Control or ⌘⇥ looking for a window you know is there. With Dockaroo, the app you need is on the screen you are looking at.

It also behaves like a real Dock: click to bring an app forward, click again to send it back, live window previews on hover, notification badges, pinned apps and a recent apps stack.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

Dockaroo's answer

  • Per-screen and per-desktop: each bar is filtered to the apps with windows on that display and Space, not a copy of the same app list everywhere.
  • Native and light: built in Swift and AppKit, not Electron. About 20 MB of memory and around half a percent of one CPU core when idle on Apple silicon.
  • Respects your privacy: Strict Mode works with no extra permissions. Accessibility and Screen Recording are optional and only unlock exact window control and previews.
  • Fair pricing: Dockaroo Lite is free forever. Dockaroo Pro is a one-time purchase, not a subscription, and every install gets a 14-day Pro trial with no account or key.

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

Dockaroo's answer

Mac users who work with two or more displays, or who use several desktops: developers, designers, writers, analysts and anyone who connects a laptop to an external monitor. They want the apps for each screen on that screen, without reaching for Mission Control or ⌘⇥.

What's the story behind your product?

Dockaroo's answer

Dockaroo started from a simple annoyance: macOS shows the Dock on only one display, so on every other screen you hunt for windows with Mission Control or ⌘⇥. Dockaroo is built as a native Mac app that gives each screen and each desktop a dock of its own, showing only what is actually there. Version 1.0 launched in October 2026.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

Dockaroo's answer

  • Swift and AppKit (native macOS, no Electron or web views)
  • macOS Accessibility APIs for exact window control in Normal Mode (optional)
  • macOS Screen Recording permission for live window previews (optional)

Who are some of the biggest customers of your product?

Dockaroo's answer

Dockaroo launched in October 2026 and is sold to individual Mac users rather than to companies. Its users are people who work with multiple displays or desktops every day.

User comments

Share your experience with using Dockaroo and ActiveDock. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

Log in or Post with

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Dockaroo 0 mentions
ActiveDock 14 mentions

Tracking Dockaroo since Oct 2026.

View more

Alternatives to Dockaroo and ActiveDock

When comparing Dockaroo and ActiveDock, you can also consider the following products.

Loading...