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HazeOver VS Open Shell

Compare HazeOver VS Open Shell and see what are their differences

HazeOver

Focus on one app by dimming all the background windows

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Paid Free trial $4.99 / One-off
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Alternatives Is it good?
Open Shell

Open Shell is a fork of the Classic Shell project for Windows that getting back the classic start...

Rating
0 reviews
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Alternatives Is it good?
Sugarbug
Connect your tools into a living knowledge graph. Sugarbug captures every signal to deliver compounding insights and unified context. sponsored
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, HazeOver seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 22 times since March 2021.

social mentions
22 vs 0
Productivity popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
230 vs 44

Base details

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

HazeOver
Open Shell
Website hazeover.com open-shell.github.io
Pricing
Paid Free trial $4.99 / One-off Official pricing
—
Platforms
Mac MacOS
—
Company Startup from the United States —
Listed in
Window Manager Productivity Crypto Mac Tools +1
OS & Utilities Note Taking LMS Bookmarks +1

About HazeOver and Open Shell

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

HazeOver
Open Shell

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. • Help yourself focus on one thing at a time....

Read more about HazeOver

No description of Open Shell yet.

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

HazeOver 5 features
Open Shell 5 features
  • 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 doesn’t slow down your computer.
  • Compatibility
    The app works well with macOS features, supporting multiple monitors and virtual desktops.
  • Customization
    Open Shell provides extensive customization options, allowing users to modify the Start menu to fit their preferences, from design to functionality.
  • Familiar Interface
    It offers a classic start menu which is familiar to users of older Windows versions, making it easier for them to navigate.
  • Open Source
    Being an open-source project, it allows for community contributions, making it more transparent and potentially more secure.
  • No Cost
    Open Shell is free to use, providing a cost-effective solution for users who want a different Start menu experience without paying for software.
  • Regular Updates
    The project is fairly well-maintained, receiving updates that add new features and fix potential issues, improving user experience over time.

Possible disadvantages

  • Compatibility Issues
    There could be compatibility problems with certain Windows updates or third-party applications, requiring troubleshooting and fixes.
  • Learning Curve
    While it offers many customization options, new users might find the settings and customization process overwhelming and confusing initially.
  • Community Support
    As an open-source project, it relies heavily on community support rather than professional customer service, which can be a drawback for users needing prompt assistance.
  • Resource Usage
    Though generally lightweight, Open Shell can consume additional system resources, which might be impactful on less powerful machines.

Analysis

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

HazeOver
Open Shell

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.

Overall verdict

  • Open Shell is considered a good tool for those who desire a more traditional Start Menu experience on modern Windows versions. It is reliable, versatile, and generally well-received by the community for resurrecting the familiar interface from previous Windows iterations.

Why this product is good

  • Open Shell (formerly known as Classic Shell) is appreciated for its ability to bring back the classic Start Menu functionality to Windows, particularly for users who prefer the interface design and usability of older versions of Windows. It provides a customizable menu, various skins, and additional enhancements for the Start Button, File Explorer, and Internet Explorer. The software is lightweight, free, and open source, allowing for a high degree of personalization and adaptability.

Recommended for

  • Users who prefer the classic Windows Start Menu.
  • Individuals who are not satisfied with the default Start Menu on newer Windows versions.
  • Users seeking a highly customizable and lightweight menu solution.
  • Technical users who appreciate open-source software and want to tweak their system appearance and functionality.
  • Anyone upgrading from older Windows versions who wants to maintain a consistent user interface experience.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

HazeOver 4 videos + Add
Open Shell 1 video + Add

HazeOver: Distraction Dimmer™ for macOS Tahoe

More videos

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

Classic Menu for Windows 10 with Open Shell

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
HazeOver
Open Shell
100% 100%
Productivity
0% 0%
0% 0%
Note Taking
100% 100%
100% 100%
Mac
0% 0%
0% 0%
LMS
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using HazeOver and Open Shell. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

HazeOver no reviews yet
Open Shell no reviews yet
  • Best 6 Mac Window Managers
    mackeeper.com · Sep 2023

    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...

  • What productivity tools are most useful
    clariti.app · Feb 2021

    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...

We have no reviews of Open Shell yet. Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

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

HazeOver 22 mentions
Open Shell 0 mentions
  • Alan.app – Add a Border to macOS Active Window
    In a similar vein, but different concept - https://hazeover.com/ - dimming inactive windows. - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
  • Alan.app – 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 / 11 months ago
  • Alan.app – 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 / 11 months ago

View more

Tracking Open Shell since Mar 2021.

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