Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

UI8 VS DockGroups

Compare UI8 VS DockGroups and see what are their differences

UI8 logo UI8

Carefully crafted UI design assets

DockGroups logo DockGroups

The app-grouping feature the Mac Dock never shipped.
  • UI8 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-14
  • 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.

UI8

Website
ui8.net
Pricing URL
-
$ Details
-
Release Date
-

DockGroups

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

UI8 features and specs

  • High-Quality Resources
    UI8 offers a wide range of high-quality design assets, including UI kits, templates, and icons, which are carefully curated and crafted by professional designers.
  • Diverse Collection
    Users have access to a diverse collection of resources that cater to various design styles and industries, making it easier to find the right assets for any project.
  • Regular Updates
    UI8 frequently updates its library with new resources, ensuring that designers have access to the latest trends and tools in the industry.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The platform features an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it easy for users to browse, search, and download the resources they need.
  • Community-Driven
    UI8 fosters a strong community of designers who can collaborate, share feedback, and showcase their work, promoting continuous learning and improvement.
  • Commercial Use License
    Most resources on UI8 come with a commercial use license, allowing designers to incorporate the assets into client projects without legal concerns.

Possible disadvantages of UI8

  • Costly for Some Users
    The premium resources on UI8 can be expensive, which might be a barrier for freelancers or smaller design teams with limited budgets.
  • Subscription Model
    While offering a plethora of benefits, the subscription model may not appeal to all users, especially those who prefer one-time purchases over recurring fees.
  • Overwhelming Choices
    The vast array of available resources can be overwhelming to some users, making it challenging to decide which assets are the best fit for their projects.
  • Quality Variation
    Although UI8 maintains a high standard, there can be some variation in the quality of resources due to the contributions from different designers.
  • Limited Free Options
    UI8 offers limited free resources, which might deter users who are seeking free or more affordable design assets.
  • Internet Dependency
    Accessing and downloading resources from UI8 requires a stable internet connection, which could be a hindrance if users are in areas with poor connectivity.

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.

Analysis of UI8

Overall verdict

  • Yes, UI8 is a good platform, especially for designers seeking premium design assets and inspiration. It is known for its quality, variety, and a strong community of designers.

Why this product is good

  • UI8 is generally considered a good marketplace due to its extensive collection of premium design assets such as UI kits, icons, templates, and other resources. It offers high-quality, professionally crafted digital products that can save designers time and enhance their projects. The platform is widely appreciated for its user-friendly interface and regular updates, staying current with design trends.

Recommended for

    UI8 is recommended for UI/UX designers, web developers, and creative professionals who are looking for high-quality design resources to improve the efficiency and quality of their projects. It is also valuable for design teams looking to standardize their design components and for individuals wanting to enhance their design portfolios with contemporary elements.

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to UI8 and DockGroups)
Design Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Mac Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Prototyping
100 100%
0% 0
Productivity
83 83%
17% 17

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing UI8 and DockGroups.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

DockGroups's answer:

SwiftUI & AppKit

User comments

Share your experience with using UI8 and DockGroups. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, UI8 seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 12 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.

UI8 mentions (12)

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 UI8 and DockGroups, you can also consider the following products

UpLabs - The best material design, iOS & web resources, every day

DockFlow - Switch between dock presets on MacOS instantly

Theme Forest - The #1 marketplace for premium website templates, including themes for WordPress, Magento, Drupal, Joomla, and more. Create a website, fast.

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

Creative Market - Buy and sell handcrafted, mousemade design content like vector patterns, icons, photoshop brushes, fonts and more at Creative Market.

Craftwork - A collection of User Interface resources made by Craftwork