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Shiftit VS DockGroups

Compare Shiftit VS DockGroups and see what are their differences

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Contents:
  1. ยป Base Details
  2. ยป Reviews
  3. ยป Alternatives

Shiftit logo Shiftit

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

DockGroups logo DockGroups

The app-grouping feature the Mac Dock never shipped.
  • Shiftit Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-19
  • 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.

Shiftit

Website
github.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

Shiftit features and specs

  • Open Source
    ShiftIt is an open-source project, meaning that it is free to use and its source code is publicly available for review and modification. This allows users to customize the application to their needs and contributes to a larger community of developers and users.
  • Window Management
    ShiftIt provides powerful window management capabilities, enabling users to easily resize, move, and rearrange windows using keyboard shortcuts. This enhances productivity and helps maintain an organized workspace.
  • Lightweight
    ShiftIt is a lightweight application that does not consume significant system resources, making it a good choice for users who need efficient window management without sacrificing performance.
  • Customizable Shortcuts
    Users have the flexibility to customize keyboard shortcuts to their preferences, allowing for a more personalized and efficient window management experience.
  • Consistent Updates
    Being a maintained open-source project, ShiftIt receives consistent updates and improvements from the community, ensuring enhanced features and bug fixes over time.

Possible disadvantages of Shiftit

  • Limited to macOS
    ShiftIt is only available for macOS, which limits its usability to users of Apple's operating system and excludes users on other platforms such as Windows and Linux.
  • Potential Bugs
    As with many open-source projects, bugs and issues may surface occasionally. Though the community actively works on improvements, users might encounter stability issues or unexpected behavior.
  • Dependency on System Preferences
    ShiftIt requires accessibility permissions to function correctly, which may be cumbersome for some users to set up initially. Certain macOS updates may also affect these permissions, requiring users to reconfigure the application.
  • Lack of Advanced Features
    Compared to some commercial window management solutions, ShiftIt may lack some advanced features and customization options that power users might require.
  • User Interface
    ShiftIt does not have a polished graphical user interface, which might not appeal to users who prefer a more visually refined application. Most configuration and usage are done through menus and keyboard shortcuts.

DockGroups features and specs

No features have been listed yet.

Analysis of Shiftit

Overall verdict

  • Shiftit is generally regarded as a useful and efficient tool for users who seek enhanced window management capabilities on macOS. Its lightweight design and straightforward functionality make it a solid choice for improving workflow and organization.

Why this product is good

  • Shiftit is a window management tool for macOS that allows users to quickly and easily arrange their windows using keyboard shortcuts. It seamlessly improves productivity by optimizing screen real estate without requiring manual dragging and resizing of windows.

Recommended for

  • macOS users looking for improved window management
  • Individuals who prefer using keyboard shortcuts over mouse-driven tasks
  • Professionals seeking increased productivity through better screen organization
  • Users who want a free and open-source solution for managing windows on their desktop

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Shiftit and DockGroups)

Shiftit

DockGroups

Window Manager
100 100%
Window Manager
0% 0
Mac Tools
73 73%
Mac Tools
27% 27
OSX Tools
100 100%
OSX Tools
0% 0
Productivity
0 0%
Productivity
100% 100

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing Shiftit and DockGroups.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

DockGroups's answer:

SwiftUI & AppKit

User comments

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

When comparing Shiftit and DockGroups, 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).

DockFlow - Switch between dock presets on MacOS instantly

Mizage Divvy - Divvy is an entirely new way of managing your workspace.

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

AquaSnap - Too many windows on your screen? Stop wasting your productivity.

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

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