TabTab vs AltTab: 2026 comparison
TabTab switches to windows and individual tabs in supported apps. AltTab can switch to windows and show a preview of each window.
- Choose TabTab for
- Windows and tabs in one search, with a cleaner, more compact UI
- Choose AltTab for
- Window switching with visual previews
Search windows and individual tabs
Both switch windows. TabTab also keeps track of visible, minimized, and hidden windows. It searches tabs by title or URL. AltTab leaves tab search to the app after you switch.
A single browser or code editor window can hold many tabs. TabTab can match a website, document, repository, or part of a URL that you remember. It opens the result directly in supported apps such as Safari, Chrome, Arc, Firefox, VS Code, Cursor, Finder, and Figma.
- TabTab
- Find window or tab → switch
- AltTab
- Find window → switch → find tab manually
At a glance
| Feature | TabTab | AltTab |
|---|---|---|
| Searches | Windows and individual tabs | Windows only |
| Tab workflow | Search once and open the tab | Switch windows, then find the tab manually |
| Tab URL search | Yes | No |
| Interface | Clean, compact UI with app icons, browser favicons, and mouse support | Window previews, app icon, and title layouts |
| Keyboard shortcuts | Familiar macOS defaults and multiple custom shortcuts | Extensive shortcut customisation |
| Switcher actions | Minimize windows; close windows and tabs | Close, minimize, and fullscreen windows |
| Privacy | No personal data stored; limited anonymous analytics | Usage statistics stay local |
| Open source | No | Yes |
Compact results or visual previews
TabTab displays app icons, browser favicons, titles, and URLs in a compact list. For most users, that is enough context to identify the right window or tab quickly while keeping more results visible at once.
AltTab includes thumbnail, app icon, and title layouts. Its thumbnail view can help when you recognize a window by appearance, but previews take up more space and may show information you do not need when a title and app icon are enough.
Use the keyboard or mouse to choose a TabTab result. Optional mouse activation opens TabTab when you move the cursor to the screen edge.
Shortcuts comparison
TabTab mirrors familiar macOS app-switcher shortcuts wherever possible, so it feels natural from the first use. It also supports multiple custom keyboard shortcuts, including one that opens search directly. Inside the switcher, familiar keyboard commands can minimize a window or close the selected window or tab without making you switch to it first.
AltTab offers extensive shortcut customisation and several window controls. TabTab keeps the setup straightforward and brings the same quick workflow to windows and individual tabs.
One search for every window and tab
Choose TabTab if you lose track of windows and tabs. It feels fast and native to macOS. Try TabTab free now.
Updated 2026. Sources: TabTab pricing, TabTab privacy, AltTab comparison, AltTab features, and AltTab privacy.