Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Gnome Do VS DockGroups

Compare Gnome Do VS DockGroups and see what are their differences

Gnome Do logo Gnome Do

Simple, sleek, swift, smart. Do. GNOME Do allows you to quickly search for many items present on your desktop or the web, and perform useful actions on those items. GNOME Do is inspired by Quicksilver & GNOME Launch Box.

DockGroups logo DockGroups

The app-grouping feature the Mac Dock never shipped.
  • Gnome Do Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-14
  • 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.

Gnome Do

Pricing URL
-
$ Details
-
Release Date
-

DockGroups

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

Gnome Do features and specs

  • Efficiency
    Gnome Do allows users to quickly perform tasks using keyboard shortcuts, which can significantly speed up workflow.
  • Integration
    It integrates well with various applications and services, allowing for seamless execution of commands.
  • Customization
    The tool offers a high degree of customization through plugins and settings, enabling users to tailor it to their specific needs.
  • User Interface
    Gnome Do has an intuitive and straightforward user interface that is easy for beginners to understand and use.
  • Open Source
    Being open-source, Gnome Do allows the community to contribute to its development, ensuring continuous improvement and adaptation.

Possible disadvantages of Gnome Do

  • Learning Curve
    Though it aims to simplify tasks, there is still a learning curve for new users to understand how to utilize all its features effectively.
  • System Resources
    Gnome Do can be relatively resource-intensive, which might slow down performance on older or less powerful systems.
  • Stability
    Users have reported occasional crashes and bugs, which can disrupt workflow.
  • Limited Support
    Official support and documentation may be limited, potentially making it more difficult for users to find solutions to problems.
  • Dependency on Gnome Environment
    While it can be used in other desktop environments, it is optimized for and works best with the Gnome desktop environment.

DockGroups features and specs

No features have been listed yet.

Analysis of Gnome Do

Overall verdict

  • Gnome Do is considered a good tool for those who value speed and efficiency in launching applications and performing various tasks on their Linux systems. Its plugin system extends its capabilities beyond just launching applications, adding to its versatility and usefulness.

Why this product is good

  • Gnome Do is appreciated for its intuitive, quick-launch functionality and its ability to enhance productivity on Linux desktops. It is known for its simplicity, ease of use, and the ability to execute a wide range of tasks with just a few keystrokes, making it a favorite among power users and those who prefer keyboard-centric workflows.

Recommended for

    Gnome Do is recommended for Linux users who enjoy customizing their workflow, prefer keyboard-driven interfaces, and are looking for a powerful and flexible application launcher to boost their productivity. It is particularly suited for developers, IT professionals, and power users who frequently work with multiple applications and need to streamline their desktop interactions.

Gnome Do videos

Gnome Do Review with Docky feature

DockGroups videos

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Gnome Do and DockGroups)
App Launcher
100 100%
0% 0
Mac Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Windows Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Productivity
86 86%
14% 14

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing Gnome Do and DockGroups.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

DockGroups's answer:

SwiftUI & AppKit

User comments

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

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

Synapse - Synapse is a semantic launcher written in Vala that you can use to start applications as well as find and access relevant documents and files by making use of the Zeitgeist engine.

DockFlow - Switch between dock presets on MacOS instantly

DockbarX - DockbarX is a standalone dock that groups and launches applications.

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

Keypirinha - A lightning fast and flexible keystroke launcher for Windows. No installation required (portable).

Gnome-Pie - Gnome-Pie is a circular application launcher for Linux.