Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

RadialMenu VS DockGroups

Compare RadialMenu VS DockGroups and see what are their differences

RadialMenu logo RadialMenu

RadialMenu is Wacom-like toolbar for TabletPC digital artists.

DockGroups logo DockGroups

The app-grouping feature the Mac Dock never shipped.
  • RadialMenu Landing page
    Landing page //
    2025-06-10
  • 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.

RadialMenu

Pricing URL
-
$ Details
-
Release Date
-

DockGroups

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

Analysis of RadialMenu

Overall verdict

  • RadialMenu is a lightweight, free utility that offers a customizable circular launcher for quickly accessing apps and shortcuts, making it a handy tool for those who value speed and desktop organization, though it is a niche and somewhat dated product.

Why this product is good

  • Provides a fast, mouse-friendly radial launcher for frequently used programs and files
  • Free to use with a simple, portable footprint that doesn't require heavy installation
  • Customizable icons and layouts let you tailor the menu to your workflow
  • Reduces desktop clutter by consolidating shortcuts into an accessible pop-up menu

Recommended for

  • Power users who want quick keyboard/mouse access to their favorite apps
  • People looking to declutter their desktop and streamline shortcuts
  • Users of pen or touch input who benefit from circular menu ergonomics
  • Anyone seeking a free, lightweight productivity launcher for Windows

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to RadialMenu and DockGroups)
Mac
100 100%
0% 0
Mac Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Productivity
69 69%
31% 31
OS & Utilities
67 67%
33% 33

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing RadialMenu and DockGroups.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

DockGroups's answer:

SwiftUI & AppKit

User comments

Share your experience with using RadialMenu and DockGroups. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

What are some alternatives?

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

Pieoneer - Let your apps fly โ€” in a pie

DockFlow - Switch between dock presets on MacOS instantly

Kando - Kando offers an unconventional, fast, highly efficient, and fun way of interacting with your computer! You can use it to run commands, execute macros, open files, and much more.

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

Pie Menu - The radial menu for Mac tailored to your active app. Speed up all your favorite programs with only one shortcut!

Charmstone - The quicker switcher launcher for macOS