Best App Pier Alternatives in 2026
The top App Pier alternatives are Pock, BetterTouchTool and Haptic Touch Bar: 7 touch bar apps our editors would look at instead of App Pier, in our ranking order.
App Pier: A focused launcher for finding, pinning, and switching Mac apps, with a one-time $2.99 price. Where it falls short: touch bar controls require a MacBook pro with a touch bar..
Switching from App Pier? For most touch bar apps buyers the best App Pier alternative is Pock, built for mac users who want a free, configurable Touch Bar hub.
Why People Look for an App Pier Alternative
- Touch Bar controls require a MacBook Pro with a Touch Bar
- The listing specifies macOS 11.0 or later
- Its focus is app launching and switching, not media or system controls
- No free plan — 4 of the alternatives below have it
- No media controls — 1 of the alternatives below has it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallPock8.4
Mac users who want a free, configurable Touch Bar hub
Visit Pock - Best free optionPock8.4
Has a free plan (App Pier has none)
Visit Pock - Best for media controlsPock8.4
Media controls (App Pier: no)
Visit Pock
All 7 App Pier Alternatives, Ranked
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Best forMac users who want a free, configurable Touch Bar hub
- Better than App Pier:
- Free plan
- Media controls
- System controls
Pock brings Dock, media, system controls, and widgets to the Touch Bar at no cost.
- Custom layouts
- Media controls
- System controls
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Pock -
Best forMac users seeking broad input and workflow customization
A broad macOS customization and automation tool, though not centered on Touch Bar features.
7.5/10★★★★☆Try BetterTouchTool -
Best forMacBook Pro users who want haptic Touch Bar feedback
A focused macOS utility for configurable haptic feedback on Touch Bar controls.
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit Bopsoft -
Best forUsers who want an audio visualizer on the Touch Bar
- Better than App Pier:
- Free plan
A focused, free visualizer for showing live audio frequencies on the Touch Bar.
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit project -
Best forUsers who need a small ruler on a Touch Bar Mac
A focused measuring utility for Mac, priced at $0.99 one-time.
6.4/10★★★☆☆Visit TouchRuler -
Best forDevelopers exploring a minimal Touch Bar demo
- Better than App Pier:
- Free plan
A free, open-source Touch Bar demo for developers exploring a minimal example.
6.0/10★★★☆☆View on GitHub -
Best forTerminal users seeking split virtual terminals
- Better than App Pier:
- Free plan
A focused, free terminal multiplexer—not a Touch Bar utility.
5.5/10★★★☆☆Visit mtm
App Pier Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to App Pier?
Pock: #1 in our Touch Bar Apps ranking, with an editor score of 8.4 out of 10. Pock brings Dock, media, system controls, and widgets to the Touch Bar at no cost.
Is there a free alternative to App Pier?
Yes. Pock, Touch Bar Visualizer, Touch Bar Demo App and mtm have a free plan or a free tier.
Why do people look for App Pier alternatives?
Touch Bar controls require a MacBook Pro with a Touch Bar; The listing specifies macOS 11.0 or later; Its focus is app launching and switching, not media or system controls.
How do I switch from App Pier?
Export your data from App Pier (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel App Pier.
How to Switch from App Pier
- Export your data from App Pier (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel App Pier.
App Pier vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | App launching | Media controls | System controls | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | App Pier | No | $2.99 one-time | Yes | No | No | 7.8 |
| 1 | Pock | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.4 |
| 2 | BetterTouchTool | No | $15 one-time | 7.5 | |||
| 3 | Haptic Touch Bar | No | $4.99 one-time | 7.2 | |||
| 4 | Touch Bar Visualizer | Yes | Free | No | No | No | 6.7 |
| 5 | TouchRuler | No | $0.99 one-time | No | No | No | 6.4 |
| 6 | Touch Bar Demo App | Yes | Free | 6.0 | |||
| 7 | mtm | Yes | Free | 5.5 |
Head-to-Head
- App Pier vs Pock
- App Pier vs BetterTouchTool
- App Pier vs Haptic Touch Bar
- App Pier vs Touch Bar Visualizer
- App Pier vs TouchRuler
- App Pier vs Touch Bar Demo App
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update