Alt-Tab Terminator vs Switchy

Alt-Tab Terminator8.7Visit SSwitchy8.3Visit

Higher score Alt-Tab Terminator #4 in App Switcher 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit site

vs

S Switchy #6 in App Switcher 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit Switchy

• Alt-Tab Terminator fits best

  Windows users wanting more control over Alt-Tab

• Switchy fits best

  Mac users wanting previews across Spaces and screens

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Side by side

Feature	Alt-Tab Terminator 8.7/10 Visit ↗	SSwitchy 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.7	8.3
Ranking	#4 in App Switcher	#6 in App Switcher
Best for	Windows users wanting more control over Alt-Tab	Mac users wanting previews across Spaces and screens
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	$19.95/device one-time	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows	macOS
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market	Solo
Features Alt-Tab Terminator 3/5 · Switchy 3/5
Browser tab switching	—	—
Window previews	✓	✓
Search in switcher	✓ (best)	—
Custom shortcuts	✓	✓
Open source	—	✓ (best)
Specs
Supported platforms	Windows 7 through Windows 11	macOS 14 (Sonoma) or newer
Our review
Pros	Search open windows by title or application name, with live previews. Navigate by mouse or keyboard and filter windows by application. Manage windows from the switcher: minimize, maximize, restore or close.	Shows live previews in a most-recently-used window overlay Can restore minimized windows and include windows across Spaces and screens Offers app-specific switching, exclusions, and customizable shortcuts
Cons	Windows only; browser tab switching is not supported. Multi-monitor support and customization require PRO. The free version is basic; paid licenses are one-time purchases.	Requires macOS 14 (Sonoma) or newer Does not switch between browser tabs Has no search-based switcher
Our verdict	Alt-Tab Terminator replaces the default Windows Alt-Tab dialog with a switcher for people who want a more searchable view of open applications. It lists windows by title and application icon, shows a live preview of the selected window,… Read the review →	Switchy is an open-source window switcher for macOS 14 or newer, aimed at people who prefer keyboard navigation between individual app windows. Its global overlay sorts windows by most recently used and can show live previews. Users can… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Alt-Tab Terminator — where it wins

  • Search open windows by title or application name, with live previews.
  • Navigate by mouse or keyboard and filter windows by application.
  • Manage windows from the switcher: minimize, maximize, restore or close.

  Where it doesn't

  • Windows only; browser tab switching is not supported.
  • Multi-monitor support and customization require PRO.
  • The free version is basic; paid licenses are one-time purchases.

• Switchy — where it wins

  • Shows live previews in a most-recently-used window overlay
  • Can restore minimized windows and include windows across Spaces and screens
  • Offers app-specific switching, exclusions, and customizable shortcuts

  Where it doesn't

  • Requires macOS 14 (Sonoma) or newer
  • Does not switch between browser tabs
  • Has no search-based switcher

• Alt-Tab Terminator8.7/10 · Free plan

  A fuller Windows Alt-Tab with window search, previews and controls.

  Visit siteFull verdict →
• SSwitchy8.3/10 · Free plan

  A free, open-source macOS switcher for previewing and navigating individual windows.

  Visit SwitchyFull verdict →