Can docktor replace AltTab?

For everyday window switching, yes. docktor's switcher takes over Cmd+Tab and shows each app's windows as thumbnails, so you can land on the exact window you want. Where AltTab pulls ahead is configuration: if you rely on type-to-search, per-Space or per-screen filters, or several custom shortcuts, you'll miss them.

Is AltTab still free?

The core app is free and open source under the GPL. AltTab Pro, sold on alt-tab.app, costs $9.99 for the current major version or $24.99 for lifetime updates, and adds type-to-search, the App Icons and Window Titles styles, an auto-sizing switcher, and up to nine shortcuts. docktor is free with no paid tier.

Does docktor replace Cmd+Tab?

Yes, by default. With Replace macOS Command-Tab on, docktor's switcher opens on Cmd+Tab, and Cmd+` opens it too. Turn that setting off in docktor's settings and the stock macOS app switcher and Cmd+` come back, while Dock previews and widgets keep working.

Can I run AltTab and docktor at the same time?

Yes. AltTab uses Option-Tab out of the box and docktor uses Cmd+Tab, so they don't collide. If you've moved AltTab to Cmd+Tab, turn off Replace macOS Command-Tab in docktor and keep docktor for Dock previews and widgets.

Does AltTab show previews when I hover the Dock?

No. AltTab is a keyboard-driven switcher. docktor shows window thumbnails when you point at an app in the Dock, as well as in its switcher.

What permissions does docktor need?

Accessibility, so it can see your windows and bring them forward. Screen Recording is optional: with it, previews and the switcher show window thumbnails; without it, they show a placeholder outline of each window with its title and app icon.

Alternatives

docktor vs AltTab

AltTab gives macOS a Windows-style window switcher with a huge list of settings. docktor has one too, plus Dock previews and widgets, free on macOS 26. Here's an honest comparison.

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docktor's window switcher showing thumbnails of open windows in a Liquid Glass panel on macOS — Two takes on a thumbnail switcher: AltTab is endlessly configurable; docktor's is rendered in native Liquid Glass.

AltTab's window switcher showing thumbnails of open windows on the macOS desktop — Two takes on a thumbnail switcher: AltTab is endlessly configurable; docktor's is rendered in native Liquid Glass.

docktor vs AltTab at a glance

AltTab, by lwouis and contributors, brings the Windows alt-tab experience to the Mac and is one of the most downloaded open-source Mac utilities. It’s a specialist: one job, done with an enormous number of options. docktor is a broader app for macOS 26 whose switcher is one feature among several.

Feature comparison of docktor and AltTab
Feature	docktor	AltTab
Price	Free, no account	Free; AltTab Pro is $9.99, or $24.99 with lifetime updates
Requires	macOS 26 Tahoe or later	macOS 12 Monterey or later
Latest release	0.14.2	11.8.0 (September 26, 2026)
Source code	Closed source	Open source (GPL-3.0) on GitHub

Feature by feature

Feature comparison of docktor and AltTab
Feature	docktor	AltTab
Thumbnail window switcher	Yesreplaces Cmd+Tab by default; Cmd+` opens it too	YesAltTab's core feature, on Option-Tab by default
Search windows by typing	No	Yesin AltTab Pro
Switcher styles	One Liquid Glass style: app icons with a window-thumbnail tray	Thumbnails free; App Icons and Window Titles styles in Pro
Filters and shortcuts	A few — show apps with no windows, window tray, initial selection	Extensive — by app, Space, screen, minimized, hidden, fullscreen; up to 9 shortcuts in Pro
Window actions from the switcher	YesCmd+W to close, Cmd+Q to quit, Cmd+Shift+Q to force quit	Yesclose, minimize, quit, hide, fullscreen
Dock hover previews	Yeshover a Dock icon to see its windows	Noswitcher only
Music, calendar, weather, stats, batteries	Yeswidgets beside the Dock	No

Details checked September 2026 against alt-tab.app, its pricing page, and the AltTab releases page on GitHub. docktor is made by the author of this page.

The switcher

Both apps fix the same macOS gap: Cmd+Tab picks an app, not a window. AltTab shows every window as a thumbnail on Option-Tab by default, and you can decide which windows appear by app, Space, or screen, whether minimized, hidden, and fullscreen windows count, and which keys close, minimize, or quit them. AltTab Pro adds search by typing, App Icons and Window Titles styles, and up to nine shortcuts, each with its own filters.

docktor takes over Cmd+Tab by default. Its switcher keeps the familiar row of app icons and floats a tray of window thumbnails above the selected app, all in Liquid Glass, so it feels like a native part of macOS 26. It has a handful of options rather than dozens. The window switcher page shows it in action.

Everything around the switcher

This is where the two apps really differ. Hover an app in the Dock and docktor shows previews of its windows; click one to bring it forward. Beside the Dock, glass widgets show now playing for Apple Music and Spotify with synced lyrics, your next calendar event, the weather, live CPU, memory, disk, and network stats, and your AirPods’ battery. AltTab doesn’t try to do any of that.

Where AltTab is the better pick

You’re on macOS 12 through 15. AltTab supports macOS 12 Monterey and later. docktor needs macOS 26.
You want to configure everything. Filters by Space and screen, custom shortcuts for every action, and a choice of window order are AltTab’s territory. docktor keeps its settings short.
You search for windows by name. Type to search is in AltTab Pro; docktor’s switcher has no search.
You want open source. AltTab is GPL licensed. docktor is free but closed source.
You only want a switcher. If you don’t care about Dock previews or widgets, AltTab is the more focused tool.

Where docktor fits

Pick docktor if you’re on macOS 26 and want window switching, Dock previews, and at-a-glance widgets from one free app, with sensible defaults and no account.

Can I run both?

Yes, and it works well. AltTab listens on Option-Tab by default and docktor on Cmd+Tab, so each keeps its own shortcut. If you’ve already moved AltTab onto Cmd+Tab and want to keep it there, turn off Replace macOS Command-Tab in docktor’s settings; Dock previews and widgets keep working. For more background, read the guide to showing all windows in Cmd+Tab, compare docktor vs DockDoor, or see the roundup of Dock and window-preview apps.

Frequently asked questions

Can docktor replace AltTab?: For everyday window switching, yes. docktor's switcher takes over Cmd+Tab and shows each app's windows as thumbnails, so you can land on the exact window you want. Where AltTab pulls ahead is configuration: if you rely on type-to-search, per-Space or per-screen filters, or several custom shortcuts, you'll miss them.
Is AltTab still free?: The core app is free and open source under the GPL. AltTab Pro, sold on alt-tab.app, costs $9.99 for the current major version or $24.99 for lifetime updates, and adds type-to-search, the App Icons and Window Titles styles, an auto-sizing switcher, and up to nine shortcuts. docktor is free with no paid tier.
Does docktor replace Cmd+Tab?: Yes, by default. With Replace macOS Command-Tab on, docktor's switcher opens on Cmd+Tab, and Cmd+` opens it too. Turn that setting off in docktor's settings and the stock macOS app switcher and Cmd+` come back, while Dock previews and widgets keep working.
Can I run AltTab and docktor at the same time?: Yes. AltTab uses Option-Tab out of the box and docktor uses Cmd+Tab, so they don't collide. If you've moved AltTab to Cmd+Tab, turn off Replace macOS Command-Tab in docktor and keep docktor for Dock previews and widgets.
Does AltTab show previews when I hover the Dock?: No. AltTab is a keyboard-driven switcher. docktor shows window thumbnails when you point at an app in the Dock, as well as in its switcher.
What permissions does docktor need?: Accessibility, so it can see your windows and bring them forward. Screen Recording is optional: with it, previews and the switcher show window thumbnails; without it, they show a placeholder outline of each window with its title and app icon.