Is docktor a good DockDoor alternative?

If you're on macOS 26, yes. docktor does the thing most people install DockDoor for: hover an app in the Dock and you get thumbnails of its windows, and a click brings that window forward. It also adds weather, system stats, and device battery widgets beside the Dock. If you're on macOS 13 through 15, or you want open-source code, stay with DockDoor.

Are DockDoor and docktor free?

Yes. DockDoor is free and open source, and its developer also sells DockDoor Pro, a separate $20 app that replaces the Dock entirely. docktor is free, with no account and no paid tier.

Does DockDoor have music lyrics and a calendar?

It does. DockDoor's site lists media controls with synced lyrics for Spotify and Apple Music, and a Calendar view when you hover the Calendar app. docktor has both too, as widgets beside the Dock. What DockDoor doesn't have is weather, CPU and memory stats, or device batteries.

Can I run DockDoor and docktor at the same time?

You can, but pick one for Dock previews, or both apps will try to draw a panel over the same icon. docktor also replaces Cmd+Tab by default, so if you keep DockDoor's switcher, use its Option-Tab shortcut or turn off Replace macOS Command-Tab in docktor's settings.

Which one respects my privacy more?

DockDoor says it collects no analytics and makes no network connections. During the beta, docktor sends anonymous diagnostics (a heartbeat, crash summaries, and a settings snapshot), on by default, that you can turn off in Settings › General › Beta Telemetry. The privacy policy lists everything that's sent.

What permissions does docktor need?

Accessibility, so it can see your windows and bring them forward. Screen Recording is optional: with it, previews and the switcher show window thumbnails; without it, they show a placeholder outline of each window with its title and app icon.

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docktor vs DockDoor

DockDoor and docktor both show window previews when you hover the Mac Dock. DockDoor is open source and runs on older macOS; docktor is made for macOS 26 and adds more widgets. Both are free.

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docktor showing window previews in a Liquid Glass panel above the macOS Dock — Both float window previews when you hover the Dock. docktor renders them in native macOS 26 Liquid Glass.

DockDoor showing window previews floating above the macOS Dock — Both float window previews when you hover the Dock. docktor renders them in native macOS 26 Liquid Glass.

docktor vs DockDoor at a glance

DockDoor, by ejbills and a community of contributors, is the best-known open-source app for Dock window previews on the Mac. docktor covers the same ground for macOS 26 Tahoe and puts a row of widgets beside the Dock. One r/MacOS user called docktor a good alternative to DockDoor, which is a fair summary: a similar core with different extras.

Feature comparison of docktor and DockDoor
Feature	docktor	DockDoor
Price	Free, no account	Free; DockDoor Pro is a separate $20 app
Requires	macOS 26 Tahoe or later	macOS 13 Ventura or later
Latest release	0.14.2	1.40.1 (September 3, 2026)
Source code	Closed source	Open source (GPL-3.0) on GitHub
Analytics	Anonymous beta telemetry (heartbeat, settings snapshot, crash summaries), on by default, can be turned off	None, according to its site

Feature by feature

Feature comparison of docktor and DockDoor
Feature	docktor	DockDoor
Dock window previews	Yesincluding minimized windows and windows on other desktops	YesDockDoor's core feature
Window switcher	Yesreplaces Cmd+Tab by default, with window thumbnails	YesOption-Tab switcher, plus Cmd+Tab enhancements
Music controls and synced lyrics	YesApple Music and Spotify widget beside the Dock	Yesmedia controls with synced lyrics for Spotify and Apple Music
Calendar	Yescountdown to your next event beside the Dock	Yeshover the Calendar icon to see the day's events
Weather, system stats, device batteries	Yesglanceable widgets beside the Dock	No
Folder previews	Partial — a glass label for Stacks, folders, and Trash in place of the Dock tooltip (optional)	YesFolder Pop
Trackpad gestures and window actions	Basic — close, minimize, zoom, quit or force quit from a preview; no trackpad gestures	Extensive — swipe to minimize or maximize, Aero Shake, drag windows between apps
Customization	Moderate — sizing, titles, filters, glass material	Extensive — layouts, switcher styles, keybinds, per-feature toggles

Details checked September 2026 against dockdoor.net and the DockDoor releases page on GitHub. docktor is made by the author of this page.

Previews and switching

The core feature works the same way in both apps: point at an app in the Dock and its open windows appear as thumbnails. docktor draws them in a Liquid Glass panel that matches the rest of macOS 26, and can include minimized windows and windows on other desktops. DockDoor offers several preview layouts, a compact list view, and mouse and trackpad actions right on the preview.

For the keyboard, DockDoor adds an Option-Tab switcher and enhances the native Cmd+Tab. docktor replaces Cmd+Tab by default with its own switcher that shows each app’s windows as thumbnails, and Cmd+` opens it too. Turn off Replace macOS Command-Tab in docktor’s settings and you get the stock switcher back. The window switcher page shows how it looks.

Widgets beside the Dock

Both apps now go past previews. DockDoor shows synced lyrics and media controls for Spotify and Apple Music, and a day view when you hover the Calendar app. docktor puts its extras in glass widgets that sit beside the Dock all the time: now playing with synced lyrics, a countdown to your next event, the weather, live CPU, memory, disk, and network stats, and battery levels for your AirPods and other devices. If weather, stats, and batteries are what you’re after, that’s the clearest difference.

Where DockDoor is the better pick

You’re not on macOS 26. DockDoor runs on macOS 13 Ventura and later. docktor needs macOS 26 and won’t run on anything older.
You want open source. DockDoor’s code is public under the GPL. docktor is free but closed source.
You want zero analytics. DockDoor says it collects nothing. docktor sends anonymous beta telemetry (a heartbeat, crash summaries, and a settings snapshot) unless you turn it off.
You like to tune everything. DockDoor has more layouts, switcher styles, custom keybinds, trackpad gestures, and window actions such as Aero Shake and dragging windows between apps.
You want a whole new Dock. DockDoor Pro, a separate paid app, replaces the macOS Dock. docktor keeps Apple’s Dock and adds to it.

Where docktor fits

docktor suits you if you’re on macOS 26 and want previews, a thumbnail Cmd+Tab switcher, and at-a-glance widgets in one app that looks like part of the system, with sensible defaults instead of a long settings list. There’s no account and nothing to buy.

Can I run both?

Yes, though there’s little reason to run both for Dock previews. Two apps drawing panels over the same Dock icon gets messy, so turn off Dock previews in one of them or quit it. Keyboard switching is easier to share: DockDoor’s switcher uses Option-Tab, while docktor takes Cmd+Tab and Cmd+`. If you’d rather keep DockDoor’s Cmd+Tab enhancements, turn off Replace macOS Command-Tab in docktor’s settings.

New to Dock previews? The guide to window previews in the Mac Dock covers the built-in options too. Comparing more apps? See the roundup of Dock and window-preview apps or docktor vs AltTab.

Frequently asked questions

Is docktor a good DockDoor alternative?: If you're on macOS 26, yes. docktor does the thing most people install DockDoor for: hover an app in the Dock and you get thumbnails of its windows, and a click brings that window forward. It also adds weather, system stats, and device battery widgets beside the Dock. If you're on macOS 13 through 15, or you want open-source code, stay with DockDoor.
Are DockDoor and docktor free?: Yes. DockDoor is free and open source, and its developer also sells DockDoor Pro, a separate $20 app that replaces the Dock entirely. docktor is free, with no account and no paid tier.
Does DockDoor have music lyrics and a calendar?: It does. DockDoor's site lists media controls with synced lyrics for Spotify and Apple Music, and a Calendar view when you hover the Calendar app. docktor has both too, as widgets beside the Dock. What DockDoor doesn't have is weather, CPU and memory stats, or device batteries.
Can I run DockDoor and docktor at the same time?: You can, but pick one for Dock previews, or both apps will try to draw a panel over the same icon. docktor also replaces Cmd+Tab by default, so if you keep DockDoor's switcher, use its Option-Tab shortcut or turn off Replace macOS Command-Tab in docktor's settings.
Which one respects my privacy more?: DockDoor says it collects no analytics and makes no network connections. During the beta, docktor sends anonymous diagnostics (a heartbeat, crash summaries, and a settings snapshot), on by default, that you can turn off in Settings › General › Beta Telemetry. The privacy policy lists everything that's sent.
What permissions does docktor need?: Accessibility, so it can see your windows and bring them forward. Screen Recording is optional: with it, previews and the switcher show window thumbnails; without it, they show a placeholder outline of each window with its title and app icon.