Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

rcmd VS DockGroups

Compare rcmd VS DockGroups and see what are their differences

rcmd logo rcmd

rcmd makes app switching instantaneous!When you have a lot of apps open, finding and switching to them might feel too slow using Command-Tab or the Dock.Hold down the right side |โŒ˜ command| and press the first letter of the app name to focus it.

DockGroups logo DockGroups

The app-grouping feature the Mac Dock never shipped.
  • rcmd Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-11-22

Put that right Command key to good use

Hold down โŒ˜ command and press the first letter of the app name to focus apps instantly.

When pressing the key while the app is already focused, you can choose to hide the app or cycle to the next app with the same first letter.

Assign custom keys for your favorite apps

Hold down โŒ˜ command + โŒฅ option and press any letter to assign that letter to the currently focused app.

When an app is in the static list:

  • the assigned key can launch the app when it isn't running
  • the Hide/Cycle setting can be adjusted on a per-app basis.
  • 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.

rcmd

Pricing URL
-
$ Details
paid $12.99 / One-off
Platforms
Mac OSX
Release Date
2021 November

DockGroups

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

rcmd features and specs

  • Instant app switching
  • Dynamic hotkeys based on app usage
  • Launch apps when not running

DockGroups features and specs

No features have been listed yet.

Analysis of rcmd

Overall verdict

  • Overall, RCMD is positively reviewed by users who appreciate its simplicity and functionality. It is especially favored by those who work in environments where command line operations are common, and who seek to enhance their workflow.

Why this product is good

  • RCMD, provided by Lowtechguys.com, is generally considered good for users looking for a simple and efficient command line tool for reducing repetitive tasks and improving productivity. It offers a streamlined interface and valuable features for those who frequently manage multiple commands and scripts.

Recommended for

    RCMD is recommended for developers, system administrators, and tech enthusiasts who rely on command line tools and need an effective way to run and manage multiple commands efficiently.

rcmd videos

rcmd App Demo

DockGroups videos

No DockGroups videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to rcmd and DockGroups)
Mac
100 100%
0% 0
Mac Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Productivity
92 92%
8% 8
Window Manager
100 100%
0% 0

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing rcmd and DockGroups.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

DockGroups's answer:

SwiftUI & AppKit

User comments

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

Reviews

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

rcmd Reviews

  1. Easier and faster to navigate through apps

    Since I managed to get used with this app I can't imagine a day of work without it. Incredible powerful and easy to use / configure.

    ๐Ÿ‘ Pros:    Increases your productivity
    ๐Ÿ‘Ž Cons:    You need a little time to get used with it
  2. Stan
    ยท Founder at SaaSHub ยท
    A useful productivity tool

    rcmd is something that could potentially turbocharge your productivity. However! you will need to get used to using it.

    My only issue is that I forget about it ยฏ_(ใƒ„)_/ยฏ

    ๐Ÿ‘ Pros:    Improves your productivity
    ๐Ÿ‘Ž Cons:    It's super easy to forget that it exists

DockGroups Reviews

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

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, rcmd seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 48 times 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.

rcmd mentions (48)

  • Show HN: I built a grouped app switcher for macOS
    I downloaded. This looks like an interesting alternative to rcmd (https://lowtechguys.com/rcmd/). Will future updates cost? - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
  • Show HN: I built a tool to solve window management once and for all
    Funny, this sounds like a good idea, but I'm quite happy with the exact opposite: I use rcmd[1]. I hold down the right command key and press the first letter of the window name to switch to it. I can override this dynamic mapping by pressing right command + option + , so I have an IM client on I, for example. It means I never have to remember/guess how command+tab works (although I had fewer issues with... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Mac browser Arc being discontinued in favor of new Dia app
    Might not meet your needs but I had similar issues and found an app called rcmd, it lets me easily bind keybinds to my commonly used apps, and you can also easily toggle between multiple windows of the same app via the keyboard https://lowtechguys.com/rcmd/ - no affiliation, and probably other similar options are available. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • The Future Is Niri
    [rcmd - Switch apps instantly using the โŒ˜ Right Command key](https://lowtechguys.com/rcmd/). - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Moom 4, the next-generation window manager
    You may want to check out [rcmd](https://lowtechguys.com/rcmd/). - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
View more

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 rcmd and DockGroups, you can also consider the following products

Contexts - Switch between application windows effortlessly โ€” with Fast Search, a better Command-Tab, a Sidebar or even a quick gesture. Free trial available.

DockFlow - Switch between dock presets on MacOS instantly

Lunar.fyi - Control monitor brightness, adapt using the ambient light sensor, adjust volume, switch inputs and turn off displays without fiddling with clunky buttons.

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

yabai - A tiling window manager for macOS based on binary space partitioning

Witch - Welcome to the world of W. i. t. c. h.