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docktor vs DockDoor
docktor does the same live Dock previews DockDoor is known for, then keeps going: music with lyrics, calendar, weather, and system stats all live next to your Dock. Free, notarized, made for macOS 26.
Designed to look like Apple built it
Both apps preview your windows when you hover the Dock. The difference is feel: docktor is a native macOS 26 app built around Liquid Glass, so the panels, blur, and motion match the rest of the system instead of looking like a utility bolted on. And it doesn’t stop at previews — the space beside your Dock holds now-playing with lyrics, your calendar, the weather, and live system stats.
docktor vs DockDoor, feature by feature
| Feature | docktor | DockDoor |
|---|---|---|
| Live Dock window previews | Yeshover a Dock tile to preview its windows | Yesthis is DockDoor's core feature |
| Window switcher (Cmd+Tab style) | Yesthumbnail switcher across apps and windows | Yesincludes a window switcher |
| Music + synced lyrics widget | YesApple Music and Spotify, with lyrics | No |
| Calendar and weather widgets | Yesglanceable beside the Dock | No |
| System stats (CPU / RAM / disk / network) | Yesa live stats widget | No |
| Price | Free, notarized | Free, open-source |
| Built for macOS 26 (Tahoe) Liquid Glass | Yesnative Liquid Glass look | Runs on macOS, not Liquid Glass-first |
DockDoor is a great pick if you want just previews from a small open-source tool. Pick docktor if you want the previews to feel native and bring widgets along. Both are free.
Frequently asked questions
- Is docktor free like DockDoor?
- Yes, and there's no catch. docktor is free and notarized by Apple, with no account and no upgrade prompt. DockDoor is free and open-source. Neither one costs you anything.
- Does docktor do live window previews like DockDoor?
- It does. Hover an app in the Dock and you get live thumbnails of its open windows; click one to jump to it. That's the part of DockDoor most people install it for, and docktor handles it the same way.
- So what's actually different?
- DockDoor stops at previews and a switcher, which is the point of it. docktor also drops widgets into the space beside your Dock: now-playing with synced lyrics, your next calendar events, the weather, and a live CPU/RAM/disk/network readout. If you don't want those, DockDoor is the leaner pick.
- Should I use DockDoor or docktor?
- Want just Dock previews from a small open-source tool? DockDoor. Want previews that feel native, plus widgets and stats in the same app? docktor. Both are free, so there's no harm in trying each.