Does HyperDock work on macOS 26 Tahoe?

HyperDock's own download page lists version 1.8 as compatible with macOS Mojave, High Sierra, and Sierra, and doesn't mention any later macOS release. The download is also built for Intel Macs only. We haven't tested it on macOS 26, so check with the developer before you buy.

Is docktor a drop-in replacement for HyperDock?

For Dock window previews, yes: hover an app in the Dock and docktor shows thumbnails of its windows, including minimized ones, and a click brings that window forward. It doesn't copy HyperDock's window snapping, modifier-key move and resize, or per-icon shortcuts, so you'll need a separate tool if you rely on those.

How much do HyperDock and docktor cost?

HyperDock is a $9.95 license from bahoom.com, before any local taxes. docktor is free and doesn't need an account.

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.

Does docktor collect any data?

During the beta, docktor sends anonymous diagnostics (a heartbeat, crash summaries, and a settings snapshot), on by default, that you can turn off in Settings › General › Beta Telemetry. The privacy policy lists everything that's sent.

Alternatives

docktor vs HyperDock

HyperDock made Dock window previews popular on the Mac, but its download page still lists macOS Mojave as the newest supported system. docktor brings Dock window previews to macOS 26 Tahoe, free. Here's an honest comparison.

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Why people look for a HyperDock alternative

HyperDock, by Christian Baumgart, was one of the first apps to give the Mac Dock Windows-style window previews: point at an app icon and pick one of its windows. It also added scroll-to-control music on the iTunes icon, a peek at upcoming events on the Calendar icon, window snapping, and keyboard and mouse shortcuts for Dock items. Plenty of people still remember it fondly.

The catch is compatibility. HyperDock’s download page offers version 1.8 and lists it for macOS Mojave, High Sierra, and Sierra; it doesn’t mention anything newer. The app installs as a System Settings preference pane, and the build on the site is for Intel Macs only, so on Apple silicon it would have to run under Rosetta. If you’re on a current Mac running macOS 26 Tahoe and want Dock previews, that’s the gap docktor is built to fill.

docktor vs HyperDock, feature by feature

Feature comparison of docktor and HyperDock
Feature	docktor	HyperDock
Price	Free	$9.95 license, sold on bahoom.com
Newest macOS listed by the developer	macOS 26 Tahoe (requires macOS 26 or later)	macOS Mojave (version 1.8 lists Mojave, High Sierra, and Sierra)
Apple silicon	Yesnative	Nothe 1.8 download is built for Intel only
Dock hover previews	Yesincluding minimized windows and windows on other desktops	Yesincluding minimized windows and other Spaces
Thumbnail Cmd+Tab window switcher	Yesreplaces Command-Tab by default	Nothe developer offers a separate beta app, HyperSwitch
Music controls	YesApple Music and Spotify widget with synced lyrics	Yesscroll on the iTunes icon to pause, skip, rate, or change volume
Calendar	Yescountdown to your next event beside the Dock	Yeshover the Calendar Dock icon for upcoming events
Weather, system stats, device batteries	Yes	No
Window snapping and modifier-key move/resize	No	Yes
Custom shortcuts on Dock items	No	Yeshide or quit apps, open Safari tabs or Finder windows

Details checked September 2026 against bahoom.com/hyperdock, including its download and purchase pages. docktor is made by the author of this page.

Where docktor fits

docktor is a free, native app for macOS 26 Tahoe. Hover any app in the Dock and a Liquid Glass panel shows thumbnails of its windows, minimized ones and those on other desktops included; click one to bring it to the front. It also replaces Command-Tab with a switcher that shows the highlighted app’s windows as thumbnails, which HyperDock leaves to a separate beta app from the same developer, HyperSwitch.

Point at an app in the Dock and docktor shows its windows as thumbnails.

Beside the Dock, docktor adds glass widgets HyperDock never had: now playing for Apple Music and Spotify with synced lyrics, a countdown to your next calendar event, weather, live CPU, memory, disk, and network stats, and the battery levels of your AirPods and other devices. The window previews page shows more of how the previews look.

Where HyperDock is still the better pick

You’re on an older Mac. docktor needs macOS 26 or later. If your Mac runs Mojave or earlier, HyperDock is built for exactly that and docktor won’t install.
You rely on window snapping. HyperDock can move and resize windows while you hold modifier keys and snap them to screen edges. docktor doesn’t manage window positions; on macOS 26 the built-in tiling in the Window menu or a dedicated window manager covers that.
You use per-icon shortcuts. HyperDock lets you bind keyboard and mouse shortcuts to Dock items to hide or quit apps or open Safari tabs and Finder windows. docktor has no equivalent.

“HyperDock has done Dock hover previews for years and is worth a look if that’s the one feature you actually want, though it doesn’t fill unused Dock space with widgets the way docktor does…”

— Lou Plummer, amerpie.lol · Read the article ↗

Switching from HyperDock to docktor

Remove the HyperDock preference pane first so two apps aren’t trying to draw Dock previews at once: turn it off, then delete HyperDock.prefpane from the PreferencePanes folder in your user or system Library.
Download docktor, move it to Applications, and open it. There’s no account to create.
Grant Accessibility when onboarding asks. Grant Screen Recording too if you want window thumbnails rather than placeholder outlines.
Command-Tab now opens docktor’s window switcher, and Command-` opens it too. If you’d rather keep the native Mac switcher, turn off Replace macOS Command-Tab on the Cmd+Tab page of docktor’s settings; Dock previews keep working either way.

New to Dock previews on current macOS? The guide to window previews in the Mac Dock covers the built-in options too. Comparing more apps? See docktor vs DockDoor or the roundup of Dock and window-preview apps.

Frequently asked questions

Does HyperDock work on macOS 26 Tahoe?: HyperDock's own download page lists version 1.8 as compatible with macOS Mojave, High Sierra, and Sierra, and doesn't mention any later macOS release. The download is also built for Intel Macs only. We haven't tested it on macOS 26, so check with the developer before you buy.
Is docktor a drop-in replacement for HyperDock?: For Dock window previews, yes: hover an app in the Dock and docktor shows thumbnails of its windows, including minimized ones, and a click brings that window forward. It doesn't copy HyperDock's window snapping, modifier-key move and resize, or per-icon shortcuts, so you'll need a separate tool if you rely on those.
How much do HyperDock and docktor cost?: HyperDock is a $9.95 license from bahoom.com, before any local taxes. docktor is free and doesn't need an account.
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.
Does docktor collect any data?: During the beta, docktor sends anonymous diagnostics (a heartbeat, crash summaries, and a settings snapshot), on by default, that you can turn off in Settings › General › Beta Telemetry. The privacy policy lists everything that's sent.