Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

LayAuto VS DockGroups

Compare LayAuto VS DockGroups and see what are their differences

LayAuto logo LayAuto

Automated window management for Mac โœจ

DockGroups logo DockGroups

The app-grouping feature the Mac Dock never shipped.
  • LayAuto Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-05-02
  • 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.

LayAuto

Pricing URL
-
$ Details
-
Release Date
-

DockGroups

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

LayAuto features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    LayAuto provides an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, which helps users easily interact with the application and access its features without a steep learning curve.
  • Comprehensive Features
    The app offers a wide range of features that cover various aspects of vehicle management, making it a one-stop solution for users looking to handle multiple tasks in one place.
  • Accessibility
    LayAuto is accessible via multiple platforms, allowing users to manage their tasks conveniently from different devices such as smartphones and tablets.

Possible disadvantages of LayAuto

  • Limited Free Version
    While LayAuto provides a free version, its functionality is restricted compared to the paid version, potentially limiting its utility for users who are not willing to pay for additional features.
  • Reliance on Digital Tools
    Users who are not accustomed to digital applications may find it challenging to fully leverage LayAuto's capabilities, which could be a barrier for some demographics.
  • Potential Data Security Concerns
    As with any digital platform handling sensitive data, there is a potential risk related to data security and privacy, which might be a concern for users prioritizing these aspects.

DockGroups features and specs

No features have been listed yet.

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to LayAuto and DockGroups)
Window Manager
100 100%
0% 0
Mac Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Productivity
77 77%
23% 23
Mac
100 100%
0% 0

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing LayAuto and DockGroups.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

DockGroups's answer:

SwiftUI & AppKit

User comments

Share your experience with using LayAuto and DockGroups. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, LayAuto seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1 time 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.

LayAuto mentions (1)

  • Recommedation on monitor
    Also, I'm using LayAuto software for window placement on a large display (split display in various sized grids - let me know if you want me to share my defaults). This is absolutely invaluable, as otherwise you spend most of your time arranging windows. Another one I've used and likes is Magnet, but it didn't allow me to customise the split and the keyboard shortcuts. Source: almost 5 years ago

DockGroups mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of DockGroups yet. Tracking of DockGroups recommendations started around Jul 2026.

What are some alternatives?

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

Magnet Window Manager - Magnet Developers

DockFlow - Switch between dock presets on MacOS instantly

Better Window Manager - A tiny window management app for the Mac

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

Spectacle App - Move and resize windows with ease.

BetterSnapTool - 10 Oct 2017 . BetterSnapTool allows you to easily manage your window positions and sizes by either dragging them to one of the screen's corners or to the top, left or right side of the screen.