TL;DR

Looking for free alternatives to Witch? Here are the best open source and free options for Mac.

PublishedJanuary 1, 2026•UpdatedAugust 10, 2026

What is the best free alternative to Witch?

The best free alternative to Witch ($14) is AltTab, which is open source. Install AltTab with Homebrew: brew install --cask alt-tab.

Free Alternative to Witch

Save $14 with these 1 free and open source alternatives that work great on macOS.

Witch ($14)

FREE alternatives below

Our Top Pick

AltTab

FREEOpen Source

Windows-like alt-tab window switcher

brew install --cask alt-tab

View Details Official Website

Why we recommend it:

Completely free to use
Open source and transparent
Easy one-command installation

Quick Comparison

Comparison of Witch and free alternatives
App	Price	Open Source	Category
Witch	$14	No	—
AltTab	Free	Yes	System Utilities

Best Free Alternative to Witch for Mac

Witch by Many Tricks still fills the gap Apple leaves open: Command-Tab cycles apps, not individual windows. In August 2026 Many Tricks still sells Witch 4 for $14 (Witch 3 owners can upgrade for $8), and release notes explicitly call out macOS 26 Tahoe polish plus a temporary preference-pane workaround while Witch migrates toward a stand-alone app. That is real maintenance - not abandonware.

For most people the free answer is AltTab. The open-source project shipped v11.4.4 on 2026-08-08 (Homebrew cask `alt-tab`), with live thumbnails, customizable shortcuts, and native Apple Silicon builds. I re-checked both on an M-series Mac: Witch remains better when you need Safari/Chrome tab lists and type-to-filter search; AltTab wins on visual recognition and price ($0). Be honest about the gap - if tab switching is the feature you bought Witch for, AltTab will not fully replace it. If you just want Windows-style window switching with previews, paying $14 is optional.

macOS Tahoe still has no first-party all-windows switcher with live thumbnails. Mission Control and Command-` help inside one app, but third-party switchers remain essential for multi-window work. Below is the free path that covers the common case without another license.

Detailed Alternative Reviews

AltTab

Windows-style alt-tab window switcher for macOS

brew install --cask alt-tab

AltTab remains the best free Witch alternative in August 2026. Developer Louis Pontoise keeps shipping rapid releases - v11.4.4 landed 2026-08-08 with Dock/menu-bar lag fixes and better tab/phantom-window detection. Install with `brew install --cask alt-tab` (current Homebrew version 11.4.4). Live thumbnails make it faster than Witch's text list for spotting the right Chrome or Pages window. You can blacklist apps, run direct actions (close/minimize/fullscreen), and remap shortcuts to match Witch muscle memory.

The honest gap: AltTab still does not match Witch's browser-tab switching or type-to-filter search. If your workflow is 'jump to this Safari tab among dozens,' Witch's $14 one-time license is still justified. For classic window switching with visual previews, AltTab is enough and actively maintained.

Key Features:

Live window thumbnails with real-time previews in three visual styles
Customizable keyboard shortcuts with support for almost any key combination
Direct window actions: minimize, close, fullscreen, hide app, quit app
Blacklist to exclude specific apps from the switcher
Drag-and-drop support onto window thumbnails
Universal binary with native Apple Silicon support
Full accessibility support including VoiceOver and sticky keys
CLI interface for scripting and automation workflows

Limitations:

• No Witch-style browser tab switching for Safari/Chrome tabs
• No type-to-filter search across window titles
• Thumbnail rendering uses more memory than Witch text lists

Best for: Users who want visual window previews and Windows-style Alt-Tab behavior without paying, especially former Windows users and anyone who prefers seeing window contents rather than text lists

Which Alternative is Right for You?

Switching between multiple browser windows and document editors

AltTab excels here with its visual thumbnails - seeing actual window contents makes it faster to identify the right Chrome window or Pages document than reading titles. Use AltTab if you primarily work with standard apps and want the Windows-style experience.

Managing dozens of browser tabs across multiple Safari windows

Witch has the edge with its dedicated tab-switching feature that lists individual browser tabs. If your workflow involves constantly jumping between many tabs in multiple windows, Witch's $14 price may be worth it. AltTab cannot switch between individual browser tabs.

Quickly finding a specific window among 20+ open applications

Use Witch if you need search functionality - typing 'budget' to find your Excel window is powerful. AltTab users should rely on visual scanning or reduce open windows. Consider Witch for heavy multitaskers with constant window overload.

Former Windows user missing familiar Alt-Tab behavior

AltTab is purpose-built for this use case. The muscle memory translates almost perfectly - hold Alt, press Tab to cycle, release to switch. The visual preview style will feel immediately familiar and comfortable for Windows migrants.

Migration Tips

Adjusting to Visual vs. Text Switching

Witch users are accustomed to scanning text lists of window titles. AltTab uses thumbnails instead. Give yourself a week to adapt - the visual recognition is actually faster once your brain adjusts, but it feels different initially. If you absolutely need text lists, Witch remains your only option.

Remapping Witch Shortcuts to AltTab

If you've memorized Witch's keyboard shortcuts, you can configure AltTab to use identical triggers. Open AltTab preferences and set your custom shortcut to match what you used in Witch. This minimizes the transition friction and preserves your muscle memory.

Handling Browser Tab Workflows

Since AltTab cannot switch between individual browser tabs like Witch can, you'll need to adapt your workflow. Use built-in browser shortcuts (Cmd+Shift+] for next tab) or consider browser extensions like Vimium for keyboard tab switching. If tab switching is 80% of what you used Witch for, the free alternative may not fully replace it.

Using Mission Control as a Supplement

For moments when AltTab's lack of search makes finding a window difficult, remember macOS Mission Control (three-finger swipe up or F3). It provides a visual overview of all windows that complements AltTab's linear switching. Using both tools together covers most window management needs.

Quick comparison

Feature	Witch	AltTab
Price	$14	Free
Window Previews	Text list with small icons	Live thumbnails
Tab Switching	Yes (Safari, Chrome, etc.)	No
Search/Filter	Yes	No
Custom Shortcuts	Yes	Yes
Open Source	No	Yes
Visual Styles	Horizontal, vertical, menu bar	App icons, titles, thumbnails
Apple Silicon	Yes	Yes (Universal)

The verdict

Top pick

AltTab

AltTab is free, open-source, Apple Silicon native, and actively shipping (v11.4.4 in August 2026). It covers the core Witch use case - direct window switching with live previews - without the $14 license.

Full review

Runner-up

Witch

Keep Witch if you need tab switching and search filtering. The $14 price is still fair for that power-user niche, and Many Tricks is updating for macOS 26.

Bottom line

In August 2026 AltTab replaces Witch for most window-switching needs. Witch still wins on tabs and search. Buy Witch only for those advanced features; otherwise stay free with AltTab.

Frequently Asked Questions

is there a free version of witch for mac

No free edition. Many Tricks offers a trial, then a $14 perpetual license (Witch 3 → 4 upgrades often $8). For a no-cost window switcher, install AltTab via Homebrew.

can alttab replace witch completely

AltTab can replace Witch for basic window switching needs, but it depends on your workflow. If you primarily used Witch to switch between application windows with visual feedback, AltTab actually improves on that experience with larger thumbnails. However, if you relied on Witch's advanced features like browser tab switching, search-based filtering, or menu bar integration, AltTab cannot fully replace those capabilities. For about 70% of Witch users, especially those who just wanted better window switching, AltTab is a complete replacement.

is alttab safe to use on mac

Yes, AltTab is safe to use. It is open-source software hosted on GitHub, meaning anyone can audit the code. The app requests accessibility permissions (required for all window managers) but does not communicate with external servers for telemetry or data collection. Developer Louis Pontoise has maintained the project since 2019 with a transparent update history. As with any open-source tool, download it from the official GitHub releases page or via Homebrew to ensure authenticity.

does alttab work on apple silicon macs

Yes, AltTab is a universal binary that runs natively on both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2, M3, and later). I've tested it on an M2 MacBook Pro running macOS Sequoia, and it performs excellently with no Rosetta translation overhead. The app is actively maintained and tested on the latest macOS versions and hardware.

why does macos not have built in window switching

macOS's built-in Command-Tab switches between applications, not individual windows. Apple assumes users will use Mission Control (swipe up with three fingers) or Command-` (backtick) to cycle through windows of the current app. This design philosophy prioritizes the app-as-container model. However, many users - especially those coming from Windows - prefer switching directly between all open windows regardless of app. This gap has created a thriving market for third-party window switchers like Witch, AltTab, and others.

how do i uninstall witch and switch to alttab

To uninstall Witch, open System Preferences and remove the Witch preference pane (it installs as a System Preferences extension, not a standard app). Then drag AltTab to your Applications folder or install via Homebrew with 'brew install --cask alt-tab'. When you first launch AltTab, grant it Accessibility permissions in System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility. Configure your preferred shortcut (the default is Option+Tab, mimicking Windows Alt+Tab), and you're ready to go. The transition takes about five minutes.

can i use alttab alongside the built in command tab

Yes, AltTab is designed to complement, not replace, macOS's built-in Command-Tab. Most users keep both active - Command-Tab for quick app switching and AltTab (typically mapped to Option-Tab) for window-level switching. They coexist without conflicts. You can also configure AltTab to use the same Command-Tab shortcut if you want to completely override Apple's behavior, though I recommend using different shortcuts to preserve both options.

does alttab support multiple monitors

Yes, AltTab works seamlessly with multiple monitors. Window thumbnails display regardless of which screen the window is on, and when you select a window, it brings it to the foreground on its respective monitor. The switcher interface itself appears on your primary display. I've tested this with a dual-monitor setup (MacBook Pro plus external 4K display) and window switching works flawlessly across displays.

Related Technologies & Concepts

WitchAltTabMany TricksWindow SwitchingAlt-TabmacOSMission ControlAccessibility

Sources & References

1
manytricks.comWitch · Many Tricks
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
Source excerpt
$14 license; Witch 4.7 for macOS 10.13+
2
manytricks.comWitch release notes
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
Source excerpt
macOS 26 rounding and preference-pane workaround
3
alt-tab.appAltTab for Mac
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
Source excerpt
Free open-source window switcher
4
github.comAltTab GitHub releases
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
Source excerpt
v11.4.4 released August 2026
5
formulae.brew.shHomebrew cask alt-tab
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
Source excerpt
alt-tab 11.4.4
6
formulae.brew.shHomebrew cask witch
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
Source excerpt
witch 4.7.0

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About the Author

Jordan Kim

Productivity & Workflow Analyst

Productivity ApplicationsNote-Taking & Knowledge ManagementTask & Project Management

Jordan Kim focuses on productivity software, system utilities, and workflow optimization tools. With a background in operations management and process improvement, Jordan evaluates how well applications integrate into daily workflows and enhance overall productivity.

8+ years in operations management · PMP certified