AltTab vs Contexts (2026): which should you pick?

Pick AltTab if

• Fits if you've moved from Windows and miss switching between individual windows
• Works for people who keep many windows of the same app open

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you're not on a Mac, as it runs on macOS 12 and later only
• Tight if you're staying free: search, the App Icons and Titles styles and more than two shortcuts stop after the 14-day trial
• Watch out: the $9.99 license covers the current major version only; future major updates need Pro Lifetime at $24.99
• Not for you if you live in Stage Manager, since thumbnails can look distorted there
• Watch out: it needs Accessibility permission, plus Screen Recording before thumbnails show

Pick Contexts if

• Fits if you keep many windows open and want to jump by typing
• Works for Mac users with several displays and Spaces

Look elsewhere if

• Not for you if you want windows snapped to halves or tiles, because it doesn't resize
• Skip it if you're not on a Mac, as no other system is listed
• Watch out: the page doesn't say whether major versions are paid upgrades
• Watch out: only macOS Ventura, Sonoma and Sequoia are named

AltTab

• macOS only; it runs on macOS 12 and later.
• Search, the App Icons and Titles styles, auto-sizing and more than two keyboard shortcuts require Pro once the 14-day trial ends.
• The $9.99 Pro license covers updates for the current major version only; future major updates need Pro Lifetime.
• It needs Accessibility permission, plus Screen Recording to show thumbnails, and thumbnails can look distorted under Stage Manager.

Contexts

• Mac only, and the page lists macOS Ventura, Sonoma and Sequoia.
• Switches between windows; it does not resize or tile them.
• The page names a license price but does not say whether major versions are paid upgrades.

AltTab

Every window, not every app

The switcher lists individual windows, including minimized and hidden ones and those on other Spaces, each with a badge saying where it is.

Full-size preview

The selected window is shown at full size on top of everything else, so you can confirm it is the right one before switching.

Window controls in the switcher

Hovering a thumbnail lets you close the window, minimize it or send it full screen without switching to it first.

Custom shortcuts and filters

Almost any key combination can open the switcher, filtered by app, Space or screen. Pro allows up to 9 shortcuts, each with its own keys and filters.

Search and styles (Pro)

Pro finds a window by typing part of its title or app name, switches between thumbnails, app icons or a compact list of titles, and resizes previews to fit.

Trackpad gestures and command line

A three-finger swipe switches windows without the keyboard, and a command line lists and focuses windows from the terminal or scripts.

Contexts

Search switching

Open a search window with a shortcut, type scattered characters from an app name or window title, and press Return to switch.

Fast Search

Hold a modifier key such as Fn, type one or two characters and release to bring the selected window forward.

Command-Tab replacement

Lists windows separately rather than apps, with Command-Backquote for the windows of the frontmost app.

Sidebar

An auto-hiding list of windows grouped by Space, with Dock-style count badges.

Trackpad gesture

Scroll down with two fingers from the top edge of the trackpad to pick a window, then lift to switch.

Multiple displays and Spaces

The search window can appear on every display at once, and lists can be filtered by Space.

AltTab

• AltTab (free)$0

  Window switching with thumbnails, live preview, Dark Mode, window controls and trackpad gestures. No account or registration needed.

• Pro$9.99

  one-time purchase, updates for the current major version

  Adds search, the App Icons and Titles styles, an auto-sizing switcher and up to 9 keyboard shortcuts. 3 devices per license.

• Pro Lifetime$24.99

  one-time purchase, every future update

  Everything in Pro plus all future major updates. 3 devices per license.

Contexts

• License$9.99

  per license

  One license for Contexts 3 on macOS Ventura, Sonoma and Sequoia.

AltTab

• Lifetime license

  Pro Lifetime with every future update

  The $24.99 Pro Lifetime license is a one-time purchase that includes every future major update, where the $9.99 Pro license covers the current major version.

Contexts

No public discounts listed.