Head-to-head · App Switcher

Witch vs Contexts

Updated Nov 2026
Both researched from official sources
4 checks side by side

Higher score Witch #2 in App Switcher 9.0/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Many Tricks

Contexts #5 in App Switcher 8.5/10 From $9.99 · 21-day trial Free trial✓ 2 of 5 features Visit Contexts

Witch leads on 0 checks, Contexts on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

Highest scoreWitch · 9.0/10
Free trialonly Contexts
Most featuresContexts · 2 of 5

Witch scores higher on our rubric for app switcher: 9.0 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #5.

Witch is the better fit for mac users needing app, window, and tab control. Contexts is the better fit for mac users managing windows across Spaces and displays.

Witch fits best
Mac users needing app, window, and tab control
Contexts fits best
Mac users managing windows across Spaces and displays

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Side by side

Show only differences

Feature	Witch 9.0/10 Visit ↗	Contexts 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.0	8.5
Ranking	#2 in App Switcher	#5 in App Switcher
Best for	Mac users needing app, window, and tab control	Mac users managing windows across Spaces and displays
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	$14 one-time	$9.99one-time
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	—	21 days
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	macOS	macOS
Support	Email, Community, Docs	Email
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features Witch 0/5 · Contexts 2/5
Browser tab switching	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Window previews	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Search in switcher	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Custom shortcuts	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Open source	Not checked yet	—
Specs
Supported platforms	Not checked yet	macOS Ventura, Sonoma, Sequoia
Our review
Pros	Switch among apps, windows, and tabs with real-time search. Configure multiple panels, sorting, orientation, and tab handling. Access windows across Spaces and apply hide, minimize, zoom, or close actions.	Searches individual windows by app name or window title Groups and filters windows by Space, with importance sorting Offers keyboard shortcuts, trackpad gestures and multi-display switching
Cons	Available only for macOS. Costs $14 up front; there is no free plan. Focused on switching, not window placement management.	Available only for macOS Continued use requires a paid license after the 21-day trial Support is listed by email
Our verdict	Witch is a macOS desktop utility for switching between applications, windows, and tabs. It suits Mac users who want more control over what the built-in app switcher can present, especially people who move among many open windows or browser… Read the review →	Contexts is a macOS utility for people who want to switch between individual application windows rather than only cycling through apps. Its Command-Tab-style switcher lists windows and supports searches by app name or window title. Users… Read the review →

W WitchApp Switcher 9.0Paid
C ContextsApp Switcher 8.5From $9.99 · 21-day trial

Compare the top tools in

Strengths and trade-offs

Witch — where it wins
- Switch among apps, windows, and tabs with real-time search.
- Configure multiple panels, sorting, orientation, and tab handling.
- Access windows across Spaces and apply hide, minimize, zoom, or close actions.
Where it doesn't
- Available only for macOS.
- Costs $14 up front; there is no free plan.
- Focused on switching, not window placement management.
Contexts — where it wins
- Searches individual windows by app name or window title
- Groups and filters windows by Space, with importance sorting
- Offers keyboard shortcuts, trackpad gestures and multi-display switching
Where it doesn't
- Available only for macOS
- Continued use requires a paid license after the 21-day trial
- Support is listed by email

Witch9.0/10 · Paid
Witch adds searchable, configurable control over Mac apps, windows, tabs, and Spaces.
Visit Many Tricks Full verdict →
Contexts8.5/10 · From $9.99 · 21-day trial
Contexts makes individual windows searchable and switchable across Spaces and displays on macOS.
Visit Contexts Full verdict →