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MacPilot VS DockGroups

Compare MacPilot VS DockGroups and see what are their differences

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A visual roadmap you branch rather than overwrite: both timelines stay, each with its own decision. Syncs from Linear, Jira, GitHub, and more, so a shared link stays true. featured
Contents:
  1. ยป Base Details
  2. ยป Videos
  3. ยป Reviews
  4. ยป Alternatives

MacPilot logo MacPilot

Unlock over 1200 features in Mac OS X and optimize your system!

DockGroups logo DockGroups

The app-grouping feature the Mac Dock never shipped.
  • MacPilot Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-21
  • 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.

MacPilot

Website
koingosw.com
Pricing URL
-
$ Details
-
Release Date
-
Edit details

DockGroups

Website
dockgroups.com
Pricing URL
Official DockGroups Pricing
$ Details
freemium $9.99 / One-off (Pro)
Release Date
2026 May
Edit details

MacPilot features and specs

  • Extensive Customization
    MacPilot offers a vast array of customization options for macOS, allowing users to tweak settings that are not easily accessible through the standard system preferences.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Despite its powerful capabilities, MacPilot provides an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible to both novice and advanced users.
  • Comprehensive Features
    The software includes a wide range of features such as maintenance tools, optimization capabilities, and access to hidden system settings.
  • Secure Usage
    MacPilot provides users with the ability to safely make changes to the system, reducing the risk of accidental damage.
  • Regular Updates
    The software developers frequently update MacPilot, ensuring compatibility with the latest macOS versions and adding new features.

Possible disadvantages of MacPilot

  • Learning Curve
    Due to the extensive features and options available, new users may experience a learning curve before they can effectively utilize all of MacPilotโ€™s capabilities.
  • Potential for Misuse
    While powerful, improper use of MacPilotโ€™s advanced features can lead to unintended system behavior or instability, particularly for users who are not familiar with system management.
  • Cost
    MacPilot is a paid application, which might be a downside for users looking for free tools for basic customization and maintenance.
  • Limited Support for Outdated Systems
    Users with older macOS versions may not fully benefit from MacPilotโ€™s features, as the software is generally optimized for more recent OS iterations.
  • Requires Administrative Access
    Some features of MacPilot necessitate administrative access, which can be a limiting factor for users without the necessary permissions.

DockGroups features and specs

No features have been listed yet.

MacPilot videos

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MacPilot Mac App Review

More videos:

  • Review - ๏ฃฟ Application Review: MacPilot

DockGroups videos

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to MacPilot and DockGroups)

MacPilot

DockGroups

Utilities
63 63%
Utilities
37% 37
Mac
100 100%
Mac
0% 0
Mac Tools
0 0%
Mac Tools
100% 100
Data Cleansing
100 100%
Data Cleansing
0% 0

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing MacPilot and DockGroups.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

DockGroups's answer:

SwiftUI & AppKit

User comments

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

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

TinkerTool - Tinker with the hidden settings of your Mac

DockFlow - Switch between dock presets on MacOS instantly

StageHero - A free and enjoyable way to control macOS appearance settings from one elegant app.

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

Dockey - Make your macOS Dock faster

cDock - Small program to customize your dock on OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) and 10.10 (Yosemite).

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