Switchy review
A free, open-source macOS switcher for previewing and navigating individual windows.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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 also switch within the active app, exclude selected apps, and choose whether windows from other screens and Spaces appear. It is a focused fit for Mac users who want more context than a standard window list; it does not aim to manage browser tabs or provide a search-based switcher.
Window handling is the main distinction. Switchy can include minimized windows and restore one when selected, and it can cover windows across screens and Spaces. Shortcuts are customizable for global switching, app-specific switching, and reverse-key navigation. There is also an option to launch at login. These controls suit people who move among many open windows and want to tailor how the switcher behaves, while users who mainly need browser-tab navigation or text search should look elsewhere.
Switchy is distributed as open-source software under the GNU Lesser General Public License v3.0, and the repository describes building it with Xcode. It is free and open source, with no paid tier described. That makes it a straightforward option for solo Mac users comfortable choosing a desktop utility and, if needed, building from source. The macOS 14-or-newer requirement rules it out for older systems; people seeking a cross-platform tool or broader tab-management features should choose another option.
Switchy pros and cons
- 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
Switchy fact sheet, pricing and score →
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