AltTab vs Switchy

AltTab8.8Visit SSwitchy8.3Visit

Higher score AltTab #3 in App Switcher 8.8/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 4 of 5 features Visit AltTab

vs

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

• AltTab fits best

  Mac users who want previews and fast search

• Switchy fits best

  Mac users wanting previews across Spaces and screens

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Side by side

Feature	AltTab 8.8/10 Visit ↗	SSwitchy 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.8	8.3
Ranking	#3 in App Switcher	#6 in App Switcher
Best for	Mac users who want previews and fast search	Mac users wanting previews across Spaces and screens
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	—	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	14 days	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	macOS	macOS
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo
Features AltTab 4/5 · Switchy 3/5
Browser tab switching	—	—
Window previews	✓	✓
Search in switcher	✓ (best)	—
Custom shortcuts	✓	✓
Open source	✓	✓
Specs
Supported platforms	macOS	macOS 14 (Sonoma) or newer
Our review
Pros	High-quality thumbnails and live previews of open windows Search windows by typing and choose from multiple switcher styles Configure up to nine independent keyboard shortcuts	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	Available only for macOS Pro is needed for window search and additional appearance styles No browser-tab switching	Requires macOS 14 (Sonoma) or newer Does not switch between browser tabs Has no search-based switcher
Our verdict	AltTab is a macOS utility for switching among open windows, aimed at people who want a visual alternative to cycling through app icons. Its switcher can show high-quality thumbnails and live previews, and users can choose thumbnail,… 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

• AltTab — where it wins

  • High-quality thumbnails and live previews of open windows
  • Search windows by typing and choose from multiple switcher styles
  • Configure up to nine independent keyboard shortcuts

  Where it doesn't

  • Available only for macOS
  • Pro is needed for window search and additional appearance styles
  • No browser-tab switching

• 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

• AltTab8.8/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

  A free, open-source Mac window switcher with previews, search, and customizable shortcuts.

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

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

  Visit SwitchyFull verdict →