Kitsmith / Utilities / BetterCmdTab
A free, open-source Cmd+Tab replacement — grid or live-preview switching, fuzzy app search and launch, plus basic window tiling — zero telemetry, from a solo Polish developer.
Our take
Positions itself directly against both the stock macOS switcher and AltTab in its own FAQ: three switcher layouts (list, grid, live previews), fuzzy search that can also launch any installed app, browser/Finder/Terminal tab drill-in, and window tiling (halves, corners, maximize) the built-in Cmd+Tab can’t do — all free forever under GPL v3, versus AltTab’s newer paid Pro tier. Built by Artur Rok, a developer based in Katowice, Poland, who also makes BetterAudio. Settings live in a plain JSON config file that syncs live with the app.
- Price
- Free
- License
- Open source
- Requires
- macOS 13.0 or later, Apple Silicon or Intel.
- Get it via
- Homebrew · Direct
- Developer
- Artur Rok
Do you use BetterCmdTab?
Who made this
Artur Rok’s own site (rokartur.com — his name reversed) describes him as an "independent builder creating focused macOS products, developer tools, and web apps," and lists BetterCmdTab alongside BetterAudio, usagefleet, and vexdock.
What it does
Three switcher layouts
List, grid, or live window-preview thumbnails, chosen per shortcut.
Fuzzy search and launch
Type to filter open windows, or launch any installed app from the same panel.
Basic window tiling
Tile to halves or corners, maximize, or center — from the same switcher, not a separate tool.
The deal
- Free forever, open source (GPL v3)
- No subscription, no telemetry
BetterCmdTab — questions people ask
Is BetterCmdTab free?
Yes — free forever and open source under GPL v3, with zero telemetry and no subscription, per the developer’s own FAQ.
Who makes BetterCmdTab?
Artur Rok, an independent developer based in Katowice, Poland.
How is BetterCmdTab different from AltTab?
Per the developer’s own comparison: both switch open windows, but AltTab now locks search and extra layouts behind a paid Pro tier, while BetterCmdTab stays free and open source with no paywall, and adds window tiling AltTab doesn’t have.
Is BetterCmdTab free?
Yes — BetterCmdTab is free.
Does BetterCmdTab work alongside a notch app like Alcove?
Yes — BetterCmdTab lives in the menu bar, so it runs happily alongside any Dynamic Island hub or notch app.
Where can I download BetterCmdTab?
BetterCmdTab is available via Homebrew, Direct.
Is BetterCmdTab open source?
Yes — BetterCmdTab is open source.
Reviews
No public ratings yet. Reader reviews are coming to Kitsmith soon.
Listing hand-verified August 30, 2026 from the developer's site and public sources.
How BetterCmdTab compares
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