AltTab
AltTab: A free, open-source Mac window switcher with previews, search, and customizable shortcuts. Ranked #3 of 11 in App Switcher by our editors (8.8/10); pricing: Free plan · 14-day trial; best for mac users who want previews and fast search.
At a glance
- Editor score8.8 / 10
- PricingFree plan · 14-day trial
- Best forMac users who want previews and fast search
- Free planYes
- Browser tab switchingNo
- Facts checked24 Sep 2026
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
Our verdict on AltTab
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, app-icon, or window-title styles. The core product is free and open source, making it relevant to solo users and small teams looking for a desktop window switcher rather than a cross-platform or browser-tab tool.
The feature split is straightforward: the free tier covers core window switching, while Pro adds search by typing, additional appearance styles, automatic thumbnail sizing, and up to nine keyboard shortcuts. Pro includes updates for the current major version; Pro Lifetime includes all Pro features and every future update. A 14-day free trial and 30-day refund period are also listed. This structure suits someone who wants to try the paid controls before deciding, while people content with the core switcher can stay on the free version.
AltTab’s focus is visual navigation and control: it can resize thumbnails to fit the number of windows, and it supports window controls and trackpad gestures. It is limited to macOS and does not switch browser tabs, so it is not a fit for users seeking a Windows option or a unified app-and-tab switcher. Choose it if previews, searchable windows, and shortcut customization matter on a Mac; consider another tool if broader platform coverage or browser-tab switching is central to your workflow.
Questions about AltTab
Is there a free trial of AltTab? Yes: a 14-day free trial.
What does AltTab run on? macOS. It runs as a desktop app.
Does AltTab offer a money-back guarantee? Yes: 30 days.
Who is AltTab built for? Solo users and small businesses (our editorial estimate).
Your product? Our editors can test AltTab in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
AltTab pricing
All 2 AltTab plans and prices →
AltTab fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Supported platforms | macOS |
| Browser tab switching | No |
| Window previews | Yes |
| Search in switcher | Yes |
| Custom shortcuts | Yes |
| Open source | Yes |
| Free trial | 14 days |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | macOS |
| Support | Email, Community |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan · 14-day trial (source) |
| Website | alt-tab.app |
| Facts checked | 24 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to AltTab
- BetterCmdTabA flexible Command-Tab replacement for Mac users who want app and window control.9.3
- WitchWitch adds searchable, configurable control over Mac apps, windows, tabs, and Spaces.9.0
- Alt-Tab TerminatorA fuller Windows Alt-Tab with window search, previews and controls.8.7
AltTab vs the competition
- AltTab vs BetterCmdTab
- AltTab vs Witch
- AltTab vs Alt-Tab Terminator
- AltTab vs Contexts
- AltTab vs Switchy
- AltTab vs Switcheroo
Compare AltTab with any tool side by side →
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The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used AltTab for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
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Featured on iTechGuides
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
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