BetterCmdTab is a free, privacy-respecting app that replaces macOS's built-in app switcher with a smarter, faster version. It shows your open windows alongside apps, lets you jump to any app by typing its first letters, search and launch apps from the switcher, and switch between windows of the current app. You can pin favorite apps, hide others, and see at a glance which apps are playing audio or have unread notifications. The app runs as a menu bar agent with no dock icon, supports both list and grid layouts, and adapts to macOS 26's Liquid Glass visual style. No account, no telemetry, no subscription — just a better Cmd+Tab.
How It Works
You hear about a free app that makes switching between your apps faster and smarter on your Mac.
You grab the app from the releases page, drag it to your Applications folder, and launch it for the first time.
macOS asks you to allow Accessibility access — this lets the app read your open windows and catch your keyboard shortcuts.
You open Settings to choose your layout (list or grid), pick your colors, and set which keyboard shortcut opens the switcher.
The switcher pops up showing your open windows. You tap Tab to cycle through, or type a letter to jump straight to an app.
Hold ⌘ and tap Tab to move through your running apps and their windows.
Hold ⌘ and tap ` (backtick) to cycle through windows of the app you're currently using.
Press / to open search — type to filter your running apps, or even launch apps that aren't open yet.
Your app switching is faster, you can see all your windows at once, and you never lose track of where you are.
Star Growth
Repurpose is a Pro feature
Generate ready-to-use prompts for X threads, LinkedIn posts, blog posts, YouTube scripts, and more -- with full repo context baked in.
Unlock RepurposeSimilar repos coming soon.