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

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

Pick DockDoor if

• Fits if you've come from Windows and miss taskbar previews and Alt+Tab
• Works for people who keep many windows open in one app and lose track of them

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you're on Windows or Linux, as it only runs on a Mac with macOS 13 or later
• Not for you if you want a Dock per display, profiles or the widget library, because those are the separate $20 DockDoor Pro
• Not for you if you won't give a utility Screen Recording and Accessibility permission, which it needs to draw previews
• Watch out: the FAQ says some apps built with unusual UI frameworks show fewer windows or skip some actions
• Watch out: the Liquid Glass look needs macOS 26 or later

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.

DockDoor

• macOS only: it needs macOS 13 Ventura or later, and the Liquid Glass look needs macOS 26 or later.
• It requires both the Accessibility and Screen Recording permissions to find windows and draw their previews.
• The FAQ says a few apps built with unusual UI frameworks may show fewer windows or skip some actions.
• Per-display Docks, profiles and the widget library belong to DockDoor Pro, a separate $20 app, not to this one.

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.

DockDoor

Window previews on Dock icons

Pointing at an app in the Dock shows all of its open windows, including minimized and hidden ones and those on other Spaces and displays, as thumbnails, a list of titles or large previews.

Window controls on each preview

Buttons on a preview close, minimize or quit without switching apps, and further buttons close or minimize every window of that app at once.

Option-Tab window switcher

Holding Option and pressing Tab lists every open window, not just every app. Typing searches the list, and Command with W, M or Q closes, minimizes or quits.

Windows in Command-Tab

While Command-Tab is held, DockDoor shows the highlighted app's windows above the built-in app switcher so a specific window can be picked.

Folder Pop and music controls

Hovering a Dock folder lists its contents for opening or dragging, and hovering an app that is playing audio shows a player, with synced lyrics for Spotify and Apple Music.

AppleScript and command line

AppleScript commands open the switcher or a preview, focus, close, center or snap windows, and return lists of apps and windows as JSON for scripts.

Contexts

• License$9.99

  per license

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

DockDoor

• DockDoor$0

  Dock previews, the Option-Tab window switcher, Command-Tab previews, gestures and widgets. Open source under GPL-3.0 and funded by donations.