Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

DockProfiles VS DockGroups

Compare DockProfiles VS DockGroups and see what are their differences

DockProfiles logo DockProfiles

DockProfiles lets you save and switch between different macOS Dock layouts instantly. Whether youโ€™re gaming, working, designing, or studying, one click loads the right apps, folders, and websites.

DockGroups logo DockGroups

The app-grouping feature the Mac Dock never shipped.
  • DockProfiles Landing page
    Landing page //
    2025-10-15
  • 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.

DockProfiles

Pricing URL
-
$ Details
-
Release Date
-

DockGroups

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

DockProfiles features and specs

  • Quick Dock Switching
    DockProfiles allows users to save and switch between different macOS Dock configurations quickly, enabling context-specific workflows such as separate setups for work, creative projects, or personal use.
  • Simple and Lightweight
    The app is a focused utility that does one thing well โ€” managing Dock profiles โ€” without unnecessary bloat or complexity, making it easy to understand and use.
  • Affordable
    As a Gumroad product, DockProfiles is typically offered at a low one-time price, making it an accessible purchase without recurring subscription fees.
  • Improved Productivity
    By allowing users to tailor their Dock to specific tasks or contexts, it reduces clutter and helps users focus on the applications relevant to their current workflow.
  • Easy Setup
    Creating and saving Dock profiles is straightforward, allowing users to capture their current Dock state and restore it later with minimal effort.

Possible disadvantages of DockProfiles

  • Niche Use Case
    Many macOS users may not feel the need to switch Dock configurations frequently, making the utility unnecessary for a significant portion of potential users.
  • Limited Visibility and Community
    As a smaller indie product sold on Gumroad, it may lack extensive user reviews, community support, and detailed documentation compared to more established apps.
  • Potential macOS Compatibility Issues
    Smaller indie utilities can sometimes break or require updates after major macOS releases, and there may be delays in updates since it is maintained by a solo or small developer.
  • Limited Feature Set
    The app focuses specifically on Dock profile management and may lack additional features like automated profile switching based on time, location, or connected displays that power users might desire.
  • No App Store Distribution
    Being sold through Gumroad rather than the Mac App Store means users miss out on the streamlined installation, automatic updates, and Apple's review process that the App Store provides.

DockGroups features and specs

No features have been listed yet.

Analysis of DockProfiles

Overall verdict

  • DockProfiles is a niche macOS utility that lets users create and switch between multiple Dock configurations, which can be genuinely useful for people who like to customize their workflow, but as a small indie Gumroad product it likely lacks extensive reviews, ongoing support guarantees, or a large user base compared to mainstream tools, so it's a reasonable pick for a specific need rather than a universally 'must-have' app.

Why this product is good

  • Allows quick switching between different Dock layouts for different workflows or contexts
  • Simple, focused utility that does one thing without bloat
  • Distributed via Gumroad, often with a one-time purchase rather than subscription
  • Useful for power users who frequently reorganize apps for work, gaming, or presentations
  • Lightweight macOS-native tool that likely integrates smoothly with system Dock behavior

Recommended for

  • macOS power users who frequently switch between work and personal app setups
  • Users who present or demo software and want a clean, context-specific Dock
  • People who like customizing their desktop workflow with minimal extra software
  • Freelancers or multitaskers managing multiple project-specific app groups
  • Users seeking a lightweight, single-purpose utility rather than a large suite

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to DockProfiles and DockGroups)
Productivity
61 61%
39% 39
Mac Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Web Browsers
100 100%
0% 0
Apple
100 100%
0% 0

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing DockProfiles and DockGroups.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

DockGroups's answer:

SwiftUI & AppKit

User comments

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

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

uBar - The Dock replacement for the Mac.

DockFlow - Switch between dock presets on MacOS instantly

DockDoor - Window peeking and alt-tab functionality for macOS

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

Rectangle - Window management app based on Spectacle, written in Swift.

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