Open source alternative to Witch, Command-Tab Plus, Contexts and TabTab
Last verified
Manage every open window on macOS with a Cmd+Tab replacement offering live previews, fuzzy search, browser tab drill-in, and tiling. Free and GPL-3.0.
BetterCmdTab lists every terminal session, every editor project window, and every browser window as a separate entry. Fuzzy search and per-app hotkeys let developers jump to a specific window by name rather than cycling through all apps.
You work in a single terminal and editor at a time; the native Cmd+Tab may be sufficient for that workflow.
Browser tab drill-in lets researchers jump to a specific Chrome or Safari tab from the switcher without visiting the browser and scrolling through tabs. The main window list can display each browser tab as its own row for even finer navigation.
You keep all sources in one browser window with tabs; the standard tab bar is enough for tab navigation in that case.
BetterCmdTab's live JSON config at ~/.config/bettercmdtab/config.json works directly with dotfile setups. Edit the file to change settings and they apply immediately; a generated schema.json gives editors autocomplete for every available key.
You do not use dotfiles or prefer GUI-only configuration; the in-app settings panel covers every option without touching the JSON file.
BetterCmdTab covers per-window switching, search, layouts, browser tab drill-in, and tiling, matching the core features of paid tools like Witch and Contexts, without a purchase. The Homebrew cask makes migration as simple as one command.
You rely on a feature exclusive to your current paid tool, such as a specific integration or support channel that BetterCmdTab does not yet offer.
The macOS built-in Cmd+Tab switches between apps, not individual windows. If you have three Chrome windows open, pressing Cmd+Tab shows one Chrome entry, and you get whichever window Chrome last focused. Minimized windows disappear from the switcher entirely; they can only be reached by holding Cmd+Tab, pressing Option, and clicking with the mouse.
For anyone who works across multiple browser windows, multiple code editors, or multiple documents in the same app, the native switcher is a constant source of friction. The only way around it has been a paid macOS window switcher, most of which carry a one-time purchase fee or split features across free and Pro tiers.
Every open window gets its own row in the switcher, including minimized windows and windows on other Spaces. Two Chrome windows or three terminal sessions each appear as separate entries, so you can reach any window directly without cycling through all windows of the same app with Cmd+`.
Switch between a window title list, an app icon grid, and live previews of every open window. Live previews show actual window contents in real time and require Screen Recording permission. Without that permission, the previews layout falls back to app icons instead of window captures.
Press / in the switcher to open a fuzzy search that matches both open windows and every installed app. Launch any installed app from the search results, even if it is not currently running. Type any letter without pressing / to jump directly to the first matching window by name.
Press the backslash key in the switcher to pick one specific tab inside Safari, Chrome, Arc, Brave, Edge, Vivaldi, Opera, Dia, Finder, or Terminal without leaving the switcher. Tabs can also appear as individual rows in the main window list. Each browser requires separate Automation access.
Tile any selected window to left half, right half, two-thirds, one-third, maximized, or centered using Ctrl+Cmd+arrow keys; pressing again cycles through the half, two-thirds, and one-third presets. Send a window to the next display without dragging. Close, minimize, zoom, hide, quit, and force-quit (Cmd+Opt+Q) are also available from within the switcher.
Witch is a paid macOS window switcher by Many Tricks; the BetterCmdTab README credits it as one of the tools that inspired the project. Both replace the native Cmd+Tab with a per-window switcher, but they differ on cost, licensing, and source availability.
| BetterCmdTab | Witch | |
|---|---|---|
| License | GPL-3.0 | Proprietary |
| Price | Free | Paid |
| Source code | Public on GitHub | Closed |
BetterCmdTab covers per-window switching, search, live previews, browser tab drill-in, and tiling at no cost. Witch is the stronger fit for users who want a long-established macOS utility from a commercial Mac software company, with years of compatibility updates and a formal support channel.
Command-Tab Plus is a paid macOS Cmd+Tab replacement. BetterCmdTab provides per-window switching with three layout modes, fuzzy search, browser tab drill-in, and window tiling, all under GPL-3.0 at no cost. Command-Tab Plus fits users who prefer a purchased macOS app with a commercial support model and a track record predating the open source alternatives in this category.
Contexts is a paid macOS window switcher that the BetterCmdTab README also names as an inspiration. Both focus on per-window, keyboard-first window navigation.
| BetterCmdTab | Contexts | |
|---|---|---|
| License | GPL-3.0 | Proprietary |
| Price | Free | Paid |
| Source code | Public on GitHub | Closed |
BetterCmdTab adds browser tab drill-in, window tiling, per-app hotkeys, and a live JSON config file at no charge. Contexts is the stronger fit for users who want a mature commercial product with an established user base and professional support.
TabTab is a paid macOS window-switching app. BetterCmdTab covers the same per-window switching category at no cost under GPL-3.0. TabTab suits users who prefer commercially supported macOS software with a purchase-backed development model.
Install via Homebrew or download the signed .dmg from GitHub Releases.
```bash
brew install --cask bettercmdtab
```Yes. Every feature is free with no Pro tier, trial, license key, or account. The source code is GPL-3.0 on GitHub. The app has no telemetry, analytics, or crash reporting, and its only network requests go to GitHub to check for updates.
Accessibility is required: without it, the app cannot intercept Cmd+Tab or read the list of open windows. Screen Recording is optional and needed only for live window previews; without it, the preview layout shows app icons instead of window content. Each browser you want tab drill-in for requires separate Automation access.
Both are open-source macOS window switchers. AltTab covers per-window switching with live window thumbnails. BetterCmdTab ships the same core switching plus app launching, browser tab drill-in, window tiling, per-app hotkeys, and force-quit from the switcher, all without any paid tier. If AltTab covers your window-switching needs, there is no reason to switch; BetterCmdTab fits users who want those extras without installing a second tool.
Choose Quit BetterCmdTab from its menu-bar icon and the native Cmd+Tab resumes immediately. To uninstall, quit first, then move the app to Trash or run brew uninstall --cask bettercmdtab. If the app is force-killed rather than quit, Cmd+Tab stops working until BetterCmdTab is relaunched.
macOS 13 Ventura and later, on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. On macOS 26 the panel uses Liquid Glass; on macOS 13 to 15 it falls back to the standard blurred material. Screen-sharing hide requires macOS 14.6 or later. A few features that need newer system APIs are noted in the app.
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