Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

HazeOver VS Cursor

Compare HazeOver VS Cursor and see what are their differences

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HazeOver logo HazeOver

Focus on one app by dimming all the background windows

Cursor logo Cursor

The AI-first Code Editor. Build software faster in an editor designed for pair-programming with AI.
  • HazeOver Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-02-02

Too many windows to manage? Large display? Or getting lost in multiple monitors? HazeOver is for you!

Turn distractions down and focus on your current task. HazeOver automatically highlights the front window by dimming background windows.

โ€ข Help yourself focus on one thing at a time. Automagically. โ€ข Spend less time managing windows. The clutter wonโ€™t bother you anymore. No need to minimize, close, or hide windows to keep your workspace neat and tidy. โ€ข Easily see which window has keyboard focus. No more typing in the wrong window due to low contrast. โ€ข Got a bigger display? Then going full screen might make less sense. HazeOver helps you avoid feeling overwhelmed by too many windows. โ€ข Multiple monitors? This app shows which screen is focused, or highlights a window on each monitor. โ€ข Power up macOS Dark Mode and reduce background glare. โ€ข Working at night? Lower interface brightness without sacrificing the legibility or color accuracy of the front window.

Heavy multitasking kills your concentration. Web pages, emails, chat messages, and lolcats stare at you from the background โ€” all fighting for your attention.

Hiding, switching, looking for the right one, more hiding, more switching. Calm down, launch HazeOver and finally concentrate on what matters.

HazeOver automatically highlights the active window or app as you switch. Less important things gently fade into the background, helping you stay focused and productive.

Customize dimming intensity and animation speed to your preference โ€” whether itโ€™s a soft shade to guide your attention or a bold dark background for total immersion.

โ€ข The desktop is automatically revealed when used. โ€ข Toggle shading with a keyboard shortcut or adjust intensity with a gesture. โ€ข Use separate dimming settings for Dark and Light appearance. โ€ข Dragging between apps? Tap the โ€œfnโ€ key, and HazeOver will gracefully fade out. โ€ข Control or schedule HazeOver with the Shortcuts app, Focus Filters, and AppleScript.

  • Cursor Landing page
    Landing page //
    2025-02-04

HazeOver

$ Details
paid Free Trial $4.99 / One-off
Platforms
Mac MacOS
Startup details
Country
United States
State
California

Cursor

Website
cursor.com
Pricing URL
-
$ Details
-
Platforms
-

HazeOver features and specs

  • Focus Enhancement
    HazeOver dims background windows, allowing you to concentrate better on the task at hand without being distracted by other open applications.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The application is easy to use, with straightforward controls for adjusting the dimming intensity and other settings.
  • Customization Options
    Users can customize the dimming effect to suit their preferences, including choosing the dimness level and applying different settings for different times of day.
  • System Resource Efficiency
    HazeOver runs efficiently in the background without using significant system resources, ensuring it doesnโ€™t slow down your computer.
  • Compatibility
    The app works well with macOS features, supporting multiple monitors and virtual desktops.

Possible disadvantages of HazeOver

  • Limited to macOS
    HazeOver is only available for macOS, making it inaccessible to Windows and Linux users.
  • Paid Software
    HazeOver is not free; users need to purchase a license after a trial period, which might be a deterrent for some.
  • Limited Functionality
    While useful for focusing, the app offers limited additional features beyond dimming inactive windows.
  • Potential Overhead
    Although generally light on resources, some users with lower-spec machines may notice a slight performance impact.
  • Adaptability Issues
    Some users have reported that HazeOver may not adapt perfectly to all applications, causing minor inconsistencies in the dimming effect.

Cursor features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Cursor offers an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible for users of all tech backgrounds.
  • Comprehensive Analytics
    Provides robust analytics tools that allow users to gain insights and make data-driven decisions effectively.
  • Integration Capabilities
    Easily integrates with a wide range of third-party applications, enhancing its functionality and usability.
  • Customizability
    Offers customization options that allow users to tailor the platform to meet their specific needs and requirements.
  • Real-Time Collaboration
    Facilitates real-time collaboration among team members, improving communication and productivity.

Possible disadvantages of Cursor

  • Cost
    May be expensive for small businesses or individual users, which could limit accessibility.
  • Complex Setup
    Initial setup and configuration can be complex and time-consuming, requiring technical expertise.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, some advanced features may have a steep learning curve.
  • Dependence on Integrations
    While integrations are a strength, the platform's full potential might only be realized if used with specific third-party tools.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Users might have privacy concerns regarding data handling, especially when integrated with numerous external services.

Analysis of HazeOver

Overall verdict

  • Overall, HazeOver receives positive reviews for its simplicity, user-friendly interface, and effectiveness in enhancing focus and productivity. Users appreciate the ability to adjust dimming intensity and customize settings to suit their preferences.

Why this product is good

  • HazeOver is designed to reduce visual clutter on your desktop by dimming background windows, allowing you to focus on the task at hand. It is particularly useful for improving productivity and reducing distractions in a busy digital environment.

Recommended for

  • Individuals who frequently multitask on their computer.
  • Users seeking to minimize distractions for improved concentration.
  • People who work with multiple windows or multiple displays.
  • Those who prefer a minimalist digital workspace.

Analysis of Cursor

Overall verdict

  • Cursor is a valuable tool for businesses seeking to streamline their customer management processes. It is particularly praised for its ease of use, flexible features, and ability to enhance productivity by automating repetitive tasks.

Why this product is good

  • Cursor (cursor.com) is considered a good platform because it offers users a robust framework for managing customer interactions and data. It integrates well with other software solutions, provides intuitive user interfaces, and comes with analytical tools that help in making informed business decisions.

Recommended for

    Cursor is recommended for small to medium-sized businesses looking for an efficient customer relationship management (CRM) solution. It's ideal for teams that need an integrated system to manage customer interactions, support operations, and sales tracking.

HazeOver videos

HazeOver: Distraction Dimmerโ„ข for macOS Tahoe

More videos:

  • Review - Review: HazeOver: dim background apps and get rid of distractions
  • Review - SCOM0922 - Tip - HazeOver - Preview
  • Review - HazeOver Review

Cursor videos

Why I QUIT VS Code for Cursor AI (Honest Review + Beginner Tutorial)

More videos:

  • Review - I Finally Tried The AI-Powered VS Code Killer | Cursor IDE Review
  • Review - Github Copilot vs Cursor: which AI coding assistant is better?

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to HazeOver and Cursor)
Productivity
40 40%
60% 60
Developer Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Mac
100 100%
0% 0
AI
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

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

HazeOver Reviews

Best 6 Mac Window Managers
Until Apple brings better window management to Macs, these third-party tools are the best way to improve organization and productivity. Most of them let you snap windows into position by dragging them to the edge of your displayโ€”similar to the window snapping found in Microsoft Windows. But others, like Amethyst, Mosaic, and Moom, offer some interesting alternatives....
Source: mackeeper.com
What productivity tools are most useful
If you are multi-tasker and have the habit of toggling between multiple windows to get thingsdone. Thank heavens, HazeOver removes all the distractions by automatically highlighting thewindow that you are currently working on and it fades out other windows (from soft dimmingto intense black) until you finish the most important task at hand. This app is for Mac usersonly. For...
Source: clariti.app

Cursor Reviews

Cursor vs Windsurf vs GitHub Copilot
The gap between Cursor and Windsurf is narrow and closing fast. While Cursor wins for now based on slightly better overall results and stability, Windsurf's rapid development and polished experience make it a compelling alternative that could easily take the lead with a few refinements. If you want to really push the boundaries of what AI can do for your coding, Cursor is...
Source: www.builder.io
Cursor vs GitHub Copilot
Cursor's tab completion is pretty wild. It'll suggest multiple lines of code, and it's looking at your whole project to make those suggestions. For TypeScript and Python files - when Tab suggests an unimported symbol, Cursor will auto-import it to your current file. Plus, it even tries to guess where you're going to edit next.
Source: www.builder.io

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, HazeOver should be more popular than Cursor. It has been mentiond 22 times 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.

HazeOver mentions (22)

  • Alan.app โ€“ Add a Border to macOS Active Window
    In a similar vein, but different concept - https://hazeover.com/ - dimming inactive windows. - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • Alan.app โ€“ Add a Border to macOS Active Window
    Instead of adding a border to the active window, I use an app that fades out the background windows: https://hazeover.com. - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • Alan.app โ€“ Add a Border to macOS Active Window
    I run a tool that I like much better both in terms of not being distracting on-screen and reducing the light blasting my eyes: https://hazeover.com I'm not affiliated, but I love it and recommended it to friends. - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • Alan.app โ€“ Add a Border to macOS Active Window
    A similar app I really like is HazeOver, which is a configurable dimmer for everything on the screen except the front window. https://hazeover.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • Everyone seems to forget why GNOME and GNOME 3 and Unity happened
    > Edit: also if Apple cares so much about this, why do they make the close/minimize buttons so tiny? My guess would be that daily users graduate to โŒ˜W and โŒ˜M fairly quickly, while power users graduate to the window manager they prefer. > โ€ฆI'm still slower at this specific thing on Mac OS because I always first have to make sure the right window is focusedโ€ฆ You might find this useful:... - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
View more

Cursor mentions (9)

  • As SpaceX deal looms, Cursor partners with Chainguard to secure open-source dependencies in AI-built code
    Cursor has spent the past week in headlines after confirming a partnership with SpaceX that could eventually lead to a $60 billion acquisition. The deal, for now, centres on training more capable coding models using SpaceXโ€™s compute infrastructure. - Source: dev.to / 25 days ago
  • How to Get Your First Tool Online
    The step up from there is an editor with a built-in agent like Cursor, Google Antigravity, Windsurf, or VS Code with a coding extension. These are code editors with an AI agent living inside them, and the difference is the responsible party for getting things from place to place. Instead of the software creator shuttling code between windows, the AI agent edits the project files directly and runs the GitHub and... - Source: dev.to / about 1 month ago
  • I almost credited llms.txt for a Google AI Mode win. Then I read what Google actually says.
    Where llms.txt genuinely gets read is a different layer: coding and agent tooling โ€” Cursor, Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, Windsurf โ€” pulling a documentation site's pages with less token waste, plus emerging agent protocols like OpenAI's Agents SDK. That's real, and it's growing fast. - Source: dev.to / about 1 month ago
  • Tokens, Context, and Why Small AI Tasks Aren't Cheap
    If you donโ€™t believe me, go to Google AI Studio, get you an API key, create a project, then open Cursor, add the key, add whatever model they have available to use, run a task and you will see how models like Gemini 3.5 or 2.5 Flash which gives you 5 Requests Per Minute and 20 Requests Per Day will scream at you with hitting a limit rate. - Source: dev.to / about 1 month ago
  • Use LLM for EDA licenses analysis
    Here is an example how to connect Prometheus DB to Cursor AI code editor. - Source: dev.to / 11 months ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing HazeOver and Cursor, you can also consider the following products

FocusList - Daily planner & focus timer based on timeboxing and pomodoro

Claude Code - Transform hours of debugging into seconds with a single command. Experience coding at thought-speed with Claude's AI that understands your entire codebaseโ€”no more context switching, just breakthrough results.

Flux - Application Architecture for Building User Interfaces

Windsurf Editor - Tomorrow's editor, today. Windsurf Editor is the first AI agent-powered IDE that keeps developers in the flow. Available today on Mac, Windows, and Linux.

BetterDisplay - Unlock your displays on your Mac!

GitHub Copilot - Your AI pair programmer. With GitHub Copilot, get suggestions for whole lines or entire functions right inside your editor.