CmdTab
macOS window switching
Source-dated landscape
This is a decision guide, not a winner's podium. It uses Apple Support and each product's own current pages, labels commercial terms explicitly, and treats missing information as unknown rather than as a missing feature.
Last reviewed:
This comparison uses first-party product pages and Apple Support only. A missing claim is treated as unknown, not as a missing feature. Prices, download counts, platform support, and feature tiers can change after the review date.
Quick comparison
The biggest difference is what each tool treats as the unit of work: an application, every eligible window, the windows in the current Space, or a launcher-plus-switcher workflow. Pricing and search tiers matter only after that model fits how you organize your Mac.
The table can be scrolled horizontally on narrow screens. Blank cells are avoided; every summary is tied to the official source linked in the detailed cards below.
| Option | Switching model | Search | Commercial model | Distinctive fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in macOS switchingApple | Command-Tab cycles open applications. Command–grave accent cycles windows belonging to the application currently in use. | No text search inside the built-in Command-Tab application switcher. | Included with macOS | Best for people who want no installation, no extra permissions, and are comfortable combining app switching with a separate same-app window shortcut. |
| AltTabAltTab | A window-oriented switcher with thumbnails. The official site presents the free tier as the core window-switching experience. | Typing to search windows is listed as a Pro feature. | Free open-source core. The official pricing page lists Pro at US$9.99 and Pro Lifetime at US$24.99, with a 14-day Pro trial. | A mature, broadly adopted choice for users who want Windows-style window switching, an open-source core, and an optional paid power-user tier. |
| BetterCmdTabBetterCmdTab | A native app launcher and switcher with list, grid, live-preview, current-app window cycling, and scoped shortcuts. | Fuzzy search can filter open items and launch installed applications. | The official site describes it as free forever, open source under GPL v3, with no subscription. | Strong fit for users prioritizing free/open-source distribution, deep shortcut configuration, launch features, and an explicit zero-telemetry claim. |
| CmdTabCmdTab | Each eligible top-level window is a separate target in one exact-window recent-use sequence, including multiple windows from the same app. | Command Palette searches by app and window text, with remembered repeated selections. | 14-day trial followed by a one-time purchase. The current founder offer displayed by CmdTab is US$12. | Strong fit for users who want three presentation modes, exact-window global recency, search, quick actions, configurable Space scope, and configurable display placement. |
| ScopoScopo | A project-aware window switcher focused on showing windows from the current macOS Space, with cross-Space search when needed. | The official site describes window search across Spaces. | The window switcher is free. The official pricing page lists Pro at US$1.99 per month or US$15 per year, with an optional 30-day Pro trial. | Strong fit for people who organize projects by macOS Space and want the switcher, tiling, profiles, and workspace organization to share that mental model. |
Source notes
The behavior depends on the installed macOS release.
Previews and presentation
The Command-Tab switcher is app-oriented. Mission Control is the separate built-in overview for open windows and Spaces.
Who it may suit
Best for people who want no installation, no extra permissions, and are comfortable combining app switching with a separate same-app window shortcut.
Check the current download page and release notes before installing; platform support can change.
Previews and presentation
The free tier includes high-quality thumbnails and live-preview capabilities according to the official feature comparison.
Who it may suit
A mature, broadly adopted choice for users who want Windows-style window switching, an open-source core, and an optional paid power-user tier.
The official site lists macOS 13.0 or later and support for Apple Silicon and Intel.
Previews and presentation
The official site lists live window previews as a built-in layout.
Who it may suit
Strong fit for users prioritizing free/open-source distribution, deep shortcut configuration, launch features, and an explicit zero-telemetry claim.
macOS 13.0 (Ventura) or later
Previews and presentation
Live previews are used when available. Capture failure changes the visual fallback, not whether an eligible window remains represented.
Who it may suit
Strong fit for users who want three presentation modes, exact-window global recency, search, quick actions, configurable Space scope, and configurable display placement.
The official window-switcher page lists macOS 13 or later.
Previews and presentation
The free switcher includes a live preview deck according to the official pricing table.
Who it may suit
Strong fit for people who organize projects by macOS Space and want the switcher, tiling, profiles, and workspace organization to share that mental model.
Decision guide
Comparison limits
Product pages describe intended and current marketed behavior. They do not prove reliability on your exact macOS build, display topology, permission state, app mix, or shortcut conflicts. Install the current release, verify its permissions and privacy behavior, and test the window sequences that matter to you before committing to a workflow or purchase.