Software Alternatives & Startups

HyperDock VS Fluid

Compare HyperDock VS Fluid and see what are their differences

HyperDock logo HyperDock

Select windows by moving the mouse over a dock item and more. FaqFrequently Asked Questions. HyperDock shows "Trial .

Fluid logo Fluid

Turn Your Favorite Web Apps into Real Mac Apps.
  • HyperDock Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-16
  • Fluid Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-29

HyperDock features and specs

  • Window Previews
    HyperDock provides live thumbnail previews of open windows when you hover over an app's icon in the Dock, making it easier to switch between multiple open windows.
  • Window Management
    The app allows for snap-to-edge capabilities and advanced window management features, enabling better organization of your workspace.
  • iTunes/Spotify Controls
    The app allows you to control iTunes and Spotify directly from the Dock, providing convenient access to playback functions without switching apps.
  • Calendar Integration
    Hovering over Calendar in the Dock shows your upcoming events and offers a quick glance at your schedule.
  • Multi-Monitor Support
    HyperDock supports multiple monitors, allowing you to extend its window management features across different screens.

Possible disadvantages of HyperDock

  • Price
    HyperDock is not free and requires a purchase after the trial period, which might be a drawback for users looking for budget-friendly options.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Some users have reported compatibility issues with newer versions of macOS, leading to unstable performance or limited functionality.
  • Limited Customization
    While HyperDock offers several useful features, it doesn't provide extensive customization options compared to other dock enhancement tools.
  • Learning Curve
    New users might find the array of features overwhelming and may require some time to fully utilize its capabilities.
  • Resource Usage
    Running HyperDock can consume additional system resources, which might be a concern for users with older or less powerful systems.

Fluid features and specs

  • Dedicated Browsers
    Fluid creates site-specific browsers that allow users to have dedicated apps for their favorite web pages. This can enhance focus and organization by keeping tasks separate from regular web browsing.
  • Custom User Experience
    Each Site Specific Browser (SSB) can have a custom icon and name, providing a more personalized and aesthetically pleasing user interface.
  • Resource Management
    Having dedicated apps for regularly used web services can minimize the use of browser tabs and extensions, potentially leading to better performance and resource management.
  • Independence from Web Browser
    Fluid apps are independent of the main web browser. This means that if your browser crashes or has issues, your Fluid apps remain unaffected.
  • Enhanced Productivity
    By converting web apps into standalone desktop applications, users can more easily compartmentalize their work, leading to enhanced productivity.

Possible disadvantages of Fluid

  • Limited to MacOS
    Fluid is available only for MacOS, which limits its usability to Mac users and excludes users on other operating systems like Windows or Linux.
  • Manual Updates
    Users need to manually update each Site Specific Browser (SSB) created through Fluid, as these do not automatically update like regular browser tabs.
  • Security Risks
    As Fluid apps are essentially wrappers for web pages, they are subject to the same security risks as any web browser. Users need to ensure they are visiting trusted sites.
  • Limited Functionality
    Unlike full-fledged desktop applications, Fluid apps might have limited native functionality. They rely heavily on the web app's own features and may lack advanced desktop integrations.
  • Cost for Full Features
    While Fluid is free to use, certain advanced features, such as pinning apps to the status bar, require a one-time purchase of Fluid's paid version.

Analysis of HyperDock

Overall verdict

  • HyperDock is generally considered a good tool for Mac users seeking improved task management and efficiency. It offers robust features that can streamline window management and provide additional functionality not natively available in macOS. However, it may not be necessary for all users, particularly those who are satisfied with the default macOS features or who use other window management tools.

Why this product is good

  • HyperDock is a productivity application for macOS that enhances window management and workflow efficiency. It's known for its ability to offer window previews, advanced window snapping, and customizable shortcuts, helping users who work with multiple applications on their desktop to organize their workspace better. It also provides features like window previews and quick access to media controls, which can enhance overall user experience and productivity.

Recommended for

    HyperDock is recommended for power users and those who frequently multitask with several applications open simultaneously. It's particularly useful for users who want more control over their application windows and prefer customizable shortcuts to streamline their workflows. It's also a good choice for users who enjoy having quick access to features like window previews and media controls.

Analysis of Fluid

Overall verdict

  • Fluid is a good option for macOS users who find themselves frequently switching between web applications and want a more streamlined process. It's especially useful for those who prefer to keep web app sessions isolated or those who enjoy customizing their workflows. However, consider that it is only available for macOS and may not support all features of more complex web applications.

Why this product is good

  • Fluid (fluidapp.com) allows users to create site-specific browsers, which can be useful for treating web applications as standalone apps on macOS. This can help with productivity by preventing web distractions and organizing workflows. Fluid is particularly beneficial if you frequently use web apps and want them to function like native applications with their own dock icons and separate sessions.

Recommended for

  • MacOS users looking to create desktop-like experiences for web applications.
  • Individuals seeking to minimize distractions from other open tabs in a standard browser.
  • Users who need isolated sessions for different web applications.
  • People who appreciate customizing their desktop workflow.

HyperDock videos

HyperDock (It's Life-changing) for Mac Review and Demo

More videos:

  • Review - HyperDock: Add app preview windows to the Dock on OS X
  • Review - HyperDock for Mac - App Review

Fluid videos

Primochill Vue Fluid Review

More videos:

  • Review - FluidReview - Accept Online Applications and Submissions and Review
  • Review - Golden Matte Fluid Acrylic Review • An Alternative to Gouache?

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to HyperDock and Fluid)
Window Manager
100 100%
0% 0
Development Tools
0 0%
100% 100
OSX Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Group Chat & Notifications

User comments

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Reviews

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

HyperDock Reviews

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Fluid Reviews

10+ Best Prototyping Tools for UI/UX Designers in 2018
With a strong focus on simplicity and communication, Fluid UI great Prototyping tools. Having built-in high and low fidelity component libraries, live team collaboration, device previews and video presentations making it a top-notch solution for designers, product managers and founders alike.

Social recommendations and mentions

Fluid might be a bit more popular than HyperDock. We know about 19 links to it since March 2021 and only 16 links to HyperDock. 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.

HyperDock mentions (16)

  • HyperDock still works!!!
    Even though Apple is deprecating the API for apps to record the screen like in AltTab and Shottr, HyperDock still continues to work properly! For those who don't know HyperDock is a system extension that brings over window previews from windows, it also brings a few other features, it costs $9.95USD for a license but is worth it, although since it was last updated during the MacOS tiger era it may stop working any... Source: about 3 years ago
  • Is there no better app than Magnet that is similar to Windows?
    Try HyperDock. Thank me later. Windows will get you covered ;). Source: over 3 years ago
  • Light app that gives you Windows-like previews of multiple app windows?
    Hyperdock shows previews of multiple apps by hovering over them in the dock - https://bahoom.com/hyperdock. Source: over 3 years ago
  • List of useful tools and helpers for MacOs
    Here's my search for an replacement of this genius but end of life software. It was last updated in September 2018, rip :( I have used hyperdock for a very long time. Loved the features and the custom settings. Now with MacOS Ventura sadly it doesn't work anymore. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Simple Questions and Help Thread - Week of September 18, 2022
    I've gotten my first Windows machine in maybe 10 years -- is there an app that has the same window management features as Hyperdock for Mac: e.g. Let me resize or move a window simply by holding down hotkeys and moving the mouse while it's over said window (without clicking or dragging)? Source: almost 4 years ago
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Fluid mentions (19)

  • ToDesktop – Web app to desktop app in minutes
    > Is ToDesktop For Me? > If you want to make a desktop app of a website for your personal use, ToDesktop is overkill. I just want to point out that a lot of us "pros" learn how to use tools like this by semi-personal use. Therefore, you might want to consider a free personal version that's crippled in a mildly annoying way: For example, no installer, don't sign the app, and have an easily-ignorable nag. (Therefore... - Source: Hacker News / about 3 years ago
  • in safari Sonoma, do profiles act like containers ? (firefox container)
    If you haven't used Fluid - https://fluidapp.com , I would recommend trying the free download. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Why is it so hard to change Chromium's UI?
    You can use Min, Fluid or any browser with full screen mode to have the same effect. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Safari Window Management
    Https://fluidapp.com/ might do it for you. Other applications like this also exist. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Web Push for Web Apps on iOS and iPadOS
    Does Fluid[1] work as a solution for you? I’m on an older OS with an older version but I love it for creating single-site apps. [1] https://fluidapp.com/. - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing HyperDock and Fluid, you can also consider the following products

Moom - Move your mouse over the green zoom button in any window, and Moom's mouse control overlay will appear (as seen in the above animation).

WebCatalog - Run your favorite web apps natively

Hammerspoon - This is a tool for powerful automation of OS X.

Nativeifier - Turn any webpage into a native app

Shiftit - fikovnik has 62 repositories available. Follow their code on GitHub.

Coherence X - Coherence X4 is a powerful tool that allows you to turn any website into a chromium-based, isolated, native application on your Mac.