# Free Alternative to Witch Published January 1, 2026 · Updated August 10, 2026 The best free alternative to Witch ($14) is AltTab, which is open source. Install it with: `brew install --cask alt-tab`. ## 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. ## Free alternatives 1. [AltTab](https://bundl.run/apps/alt-tab) — Windows-like alt-tab window switcher `brew install --cask alt-tab` ## Verdict 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. ## FAQ ### 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. ## Sources - [Witch · Many Tricks](https://manytricks.com/witch/) - [Witch release notes](https://manytricks.com/witch/releasenotes/) - [AltTab for Mac](https://alt-tab.app/) - [AltTab GitHub releases](https://github.com/lwouis/alt-tab-macos/releases) - [Homebrew cask alt-tab](https://formulae.brew.sh/cask/alt-tab) - [Homebrew cask witch](https://formulae.brew.sh/cask/witch) ## Related - [AltTab vs Contexts](https://bundl.run/compare/alt-tab-vs-contexts) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://bundl.run/#organization", "name": "Bundl.run", "url": "https://bundl.run", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://bundl.run/og-image.png", "width": 1200, "height": 630 }, "description": "The Ninite for Mac. 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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." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "can alttab replace witch completely", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "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." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "is alttab safe to use on mac", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "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." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "does alttab work on apple silicon macs", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "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." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "why does macos not have built in window switching", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "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." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "how do i uninstall witch and switch to alttab", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "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." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "can i use alttab alongside the built in command tab", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "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." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "does alttab support multiple monitors", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "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." } } ], "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://bundl.run/free-alternative-to/witch" } } ] } ```