Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

HazeOver

Focus on one app by dimming all the background windows.

HazeOver

HazeOver Reviews and Details

This page is designed to help you find out whether HazeOver is good and if it is the right choice for you.

Screenshots and images

  • HazeOver Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-02-02

Features & Specs

  1. Focus Enhancement

    HazeOver dims background windows, allowing you to concentrate better on the task at hand without being distracted by other open applications.

  2. User-Friendly Interface

    The application is easy to use, with straightforward controls for adjusting the dimming intensity and other settings.

  3. Customization Options

    Users can customize the dimming effect to suit their preferences, including choosing the dimness level and applying different settings for different times of day.

  4. System Resource Efficiency

    HazeOver runs efficiently in the background without using significant system resources, ensuring it doesnโ€™t slow down your computer.

  5. Compatibility

    The app works well with macOS features, supporting multiple monitors and virtual desktops.

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Videos

Review: HazeOver: dim background apps and get rid of distractions

SCOM0922 - Tip - HazeOver - Preview

HazeOver Review

Social recommendations and mentions

We have tracked the following product recommendations or mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you see what people think about HazeOver and what they use it for.
  • Everyone seems to forget why GNOME and GNOME 3 and Unity happened
    > Edit: also if Apple cares so much about this, why do they make the close/minimize buttons so tiny? My guess would be that daily users graduate to โŒ˜W and โŒ˜M fairly quickly, while power users graduate to the window manager they prefer. > โ€ฆI'm still slower at this specific thing on Mac OS because I always first have to make sure the right window is focusedโ€ฆ You might find this useful:... - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Little macOS Apps That Make a Big Difference in 2024
    A few more that I recommend: Bartender, to control visual clutter: https://www.macbartender.com/ HazeOver, to dim distracting background stuff: https://hazeover.com/ Raycast, which does a bunch of stuff (launcher, window manager, menu search, etc.): https://www.raycast.com/. - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • Are there really no good alternatives for Hocus Focus?
    I really like HazeOver. Itโ€™s paid, but worth it. Source: over 2 years ago
  • MacMini keeps adjusting Saturation / Brightness...
    As a fellow Mac + OLED TV owner, I think you'll appreciate these too. MonitorControl to access brightness settings through your keyboard and Hazeover to darken background and prevent burn-in. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Blurring desktop
    I used to have a similar app on my Mac: https://hazeover.com . Loved it, it would be great to have something similar doe gnome! Source: over 2 years ago
  • Dynamic wallpapers keep going back to dark mode
    The culprit was the Hazeover app I had running in the background. Now, my selected wallpapers appear as normal. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Is there a Lunar alternative that actually works?
    These one called Haze over that will dim (I think almost completely) the display you arenโ€™t using. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Is there a software that makes screen black behind the one opened window?
    Im not sure what computer you're on but I have a mac and this application called "HazeOver" does exactly what you are asking for. It's actually so good and you can completely control how much the background blacks out (so you can make or more or less opaque). Source: over 2 years ago
  • Is there a script to create an color overlay on the wallpaper?
    Not Applescript, but Window Focus or HazeOver will do what you want. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • What are your favorite hidden gem Mac apps?
    HazeOver ($4.99): helps you focus on a single window. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Anyone know the name of this focus-based app
    I do this manually with HazeOver (https://hazeover.com/) but I'll check out Hocus Focus. Source: over 3 years ago
  • I made a new tweak to Almighty to highlight active app window
    What are the differences between it and HazeOver. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Ultra-wide Monitor Bugs
    I also use have an extra app that dims/blacks out the background here: https://hazeover.com/. Source: over 3 years ago
  • App that highlights what Window is in focus?
    HazeOver has such a feature, though it operates by dimming inactive windows. Source: almost 4 years ago
  • Background windows dimming on Mac OS Big Sur (11.6) and I don't know why!
    Hey everyone - I am on a MacBook Pro 2019 with the latest version of Big Sur (11.6). I have an issue where the apps in the background of my screen dim behind my main window (see above). There are apps on the App Store that do this, such as hazeover. But I have never installed anything like it and I don't see anything installed. I have tried restarting, making sure latest software is installed, different monitors,... Source: almost 4 years ago
  • [Question] Your favorite apps?
    There's also Hazeover, a productivity/focus app, that let's you dim anything on your screen aside from the window in focus. Although I rarely use it, it sure is a nice and useful software, worth a mention imo. Source: over 4 years ago
  • How do you separate your work environment from your personal stuff on your MacBook without them interfering ?
    You mentioned you would like to have separate files for each desktop, which unfortunately cannot happen. But, there are ways to hide the desktop. One is with a Terminal command that basically kills the instance of Finder on your desktop (until you turn it back on), and one is an app that you can use known as Hazeover that basically dims out your desktop and other windows a selectable amount. I use the former... Source: over 4 years ago
  • rose gold windows 10
    No mods except for Hazeover which Iโ€™ve been using for over 6 years for window management. Source: over 4 years ago

Summary of the public mentions of HazeOver

HazeOver is a niche productivity application designed exclusively for macOS users, focusing on minimizing distractions by dimming background windows and highlighting the active window. Public opinion on HazeOver, as gathered from various user discussions and articles, overwhelmingly favors its utility in enhancing focus and minimizing visual clutter on a Mac screen.

Key Strengths

  1. Focused Productivity: The primary appeal of HazeOver lies in its ability to direct a user's attention to a single task, thereby minimizing interruptions. By softly dimming inactive windows, it creates a distraction-free environment, which many users find conducive to sustained attention and efficiency. This feature resonates particularly well with users who juggle multiple tasks and windows.

  2. Customization: HazeOver offers adjustable dimming settings, allowing users to customize the intensityโ€”from soft dimming to intense blackโ€”ensuring it caters to different preferences for focus and concentration. This level of personalization is highlighted as a valued feature among its users, contributing positively to its public perception.

  3. Complementary Tool: Users often mention incorporating HazeOver into broader productivity setups, pairing it with other organizational or focus-enhancing applications like Raycast or MonitorControl, which suggests that it integrates smoothly into a well-rounded productivity toolkit.

Market Position

  • Comparison with Competitors: HazeOver is part of a competitive landscape that includes other Mac-focused productivity tools such as Hocus Focus, Escape, and Focus App. Users appreciate HazeOver for its simplicity and effectiveness, often considering its paid form worth the investment. It is noted that HazeOver does not engage in window arrangement or snapping like some competitors but rather offers an alternative approach to managing visual focus.

  • Simplicity and Niche Application: Unlike comprehensive window management solutions like Amethyst or Moom, HazeOver's simplicity and narrow focus on dimming non-active windows make it a unique tool for those specifically seeking to reduce desktop clutter and distractions.

Areas for Improvement

  • Compatibility and Usability Issues: While generally well-received, some users have noted occasional compatibility issues with macOS updates, citing unintended dimming even when the application isn't installed or running. However, these appear to be isolated and not a widespread concern.

  • Limited Platform Availability: Currently available only for macOS, there is an expressed interest among users for a similar solution on other platforms like Windows and Linux, suggesting potential growth opportunities if HazeOver were to expand its compatibility.

In summary, HazeOver is praised for its utility in enhancing focus by dimming distractions on macOS desktops. It serves a unique purpose in the productivity tools category, appealing to users who need a simple yet effective way to manage multiple windows. Despite minor usability issues and limited platform availability, public sentiment is largely positive, reinforcing its credibility as a worthwhile addition to any Mac user's productivity arsenal.

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