Contexts vs Sol (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 Sol if

• Fits if you want one free keyboard window for launching apps on a Mac
• Works for developers who like open source and extra commands

Look elsewhere if

• Not for you if you use Windows or Linux, as the site lists neither
• Too light for tiling and window snapping, where a dedicated manager does more
• Skip it if you want support, since the listing names no company behind it
• Watch out: the site gives few details on what each built-in tool does

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.

Sol

• Runs on macOS only; the site lists no Windows or Linux version.
• Window management is one feature of a launcher, not a dedicated tiling tool.

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.

Sol

App and file search

Finds apps, files and folders from a single launcher window opened with a keyboard shortcut.

Window manager

Resizes and moves windows with keyboard shortcuts, such as the Control-Option-Return example shown on the site.

Clipboard manager

Keeps a history of copied items that can be searched and pasted back through a shortcut.

Calculator and emoji picker

Does quick math in the launcher and offers an emoji picker the site presents as an alternative to the system one.

Calendar, bookmarks and notes

Shows calendar events, searches browser bookmarks and takes quick notes from the same window.

Developer commands

Includes commands such as cleaning Xcode derived data and launching scripts.

Contexts

• License$9.99

  per license

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

Sol

• Free$0

  The whole app is free; the site calls it free and open source.