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Spectacle App VS DockGroups

Compare Spectacle App VS DockGroups and see what are their differences

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

Spectacle App logo Spectacle App

Move and resize windows with ease.

DockGroups logo DockGroups

The app-grouping feature the Mac Dock never shipped.
  • Spectacle App Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-18

Important note: Spectacle is no longer being actively maintained

  • 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.

Spectacle App

Website
spectacleapp.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

Spectacle App features and specs

  • User-Friendliness
    Spectacle App offers an intuitive and easy-to-use interface, which allows users to quickly understand and navigate through its features without a steep learning curve.
  • Efficiency
    The app provides keyboard shortcuts for managing window sizes and positions, enhancing workflow efficiency and minimizing the time spent on window management.
  • Customization
    Users can customize the keyboard shortcuts according to their preferences, making the app versatile and adaptable to different working styles.
  • Free to Use
    Spectacle App is available at no cost, providing powerful window management features without any financial barriers.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source project, Spectacle App allows users to contribute to its development and modifications, promoting community collaboration and transparency.

Possible disadvantages of Spectacle App

  • Limited Development
    The app is no longer actively maintained, which may result in compatibility issues with newer operating systems or a lack of new features over time.
  • Basic Functionality
    While effective, Spectacle App offers relatively basic functionality compared to some commercial window management tools, which may have more advanced features.
  • No Multi-Monitor Support
    Spectacle App lacks robust support for managing windows across multiple monitors, which can be a limitation for users with complex setups.
  • Potential Bugs
    As an open-source project without ongoing maintenance, users might encounter bugs or glitches that will not be addressed through official updates.

DockGroups features and specs

  • Niche Marketplace Focus
    DockGroups appears to cater specifically to boat owners and dock space seekers, providing a specialized platform rather than a generic rental service, which can lead to more relevant listings and a community of users with shared interests.
  • Potential Cost Savings
    By connecting boat owners directly with dock space providers, the platform may help users find more affordable docking solutions compared to traditional marina rates.
  • Community Building
    The 'Groups' aspect of the platform suggests a feature for connecting like-minded boaters, which could foster networking, shared resources, and social connections within the boating community.
  • Flexible Listing Options
    Dock owners may have the ability to list their available space with flexible terms, allowing them to monetize unused dock space during specific times or seasons.
  • Simplified Search Process
    A dedicated platform for dock spaces could streamline the search process for boat owners looking for temporary or long-term docking solutions, saving time compared to calling multiple marinas.

Spectacle App videos

+ Add

Demo of Spectacle App for Mac

More videos:

  • Review - Spectacle App Showcase: Window Management, Manipulation, & Organization for Mac (2017)

DockGroups videos

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

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Spectacle App and DockGroups)

Spectacle App

DockGroups

Screenshot Annotation
100 100%
Screenshot Annotation
0% 0
Mac Tools
0 0%
Mac Tools
100% 100
Window Manager
100 100%
Window Manager
0% 0
Productivity
0 0%
Productivity
100% 100

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing Spectacle App and DockGroups.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

DockGroups's answer:

SwiftUI & AppKit

User comments

Share your experience with using Spectacle App and DockGroups. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

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

Spectacle App Reviews

Moom vs Magnet vs Spectacle
While custom sizes can only be done with Moom, the predefined window sizes are provided by Magnet and Spectacle out of the box, but can also be configured manually with Moom. Itโ€™s also possible to assign keyboard shortcuts. So, in this case, if you want all the features, Moom can do them all.
Source: medium.com

DockGroups Reviews

We have no reviews of DockGroups yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Spectacle App seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 4 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.

Spectacle App mentions (4)

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 Spectacle App and DockGroups, you can also consider the following products

Greenshot - Greenshot is a free and open source screenshot tool that allows annotation and highlighting using the built-in image editor.

DockFlow - Switch between dock presets on MacOS instantly

ShareX - ShareX is a free and open source program that lets you capture or record any area of your screen...

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

PicPick - PicPick screen capture software enable you to grab an image on your computer screen, save, print, add effects, and share.

FastStone Capture - A powerful, lightweight, yet full-featured screen capture tool that allows you to easily capture...

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