Two apps in the same general category — both enhance the native macOS Dock with hover window previews, both are lightweight, both leave the native Dock intact. If you are choosing between Dockspace and DockDoor, the decision is straightforward once you understand what each one prioritizes.
What DockDoor Does
DockDoor is an open-source macOS utility focused on one thing: window previews in the Dock. Install it, hover over any app in the Dock, and a preview card appears showing thumbnails of all open windows for that app. Click a thumbnail to switch directly to that window.
It is a polished, focused tool. The window cards are well-designed. There are configuration options for hover delay, thumbnail size, and animation behavior. It does exactly what it promises and nothing else.
Being open-source, DockDoor is free. You can inspect the code, contribute, or file issues on GitHub. For users who prefer FOSS utilities and only need the window preview feature, it is a strong choice.
What Dockspace Does
Dockspace also includes window previews — hover over a Dock icon, see live thumbnails, click to switch. That feature is functionally equivalent to DockDoor's core offering.
Where Dockspace goes further is its widget system. In addition to window previews, Dockspace adds live information tiles directly in the Dock:
- Music widget — current song, artist, and playback controls (Spotify, Apple Music)
- Weather widget — real-time temperature and conditions
- Calendar widget — next upcoming event from macOS Calendar
These are distinct from window previews — they are always-visible tiles in the Dock, not hover cards. They turn the Dock from a passive icon bar into a live information surface.
Dockspace is not open-source, but it has a free tier. The one-time Pro upgrade unlocks additional widget configuration options.
Where They Overlap
Both apps:
- Add window preview cards to the macOS Dock on hover
- Are lightweight and native (Swift-based)
- Preserve the native Dock rather than replacing it
- Have configurable hover delays and thumbnail behavior
- Work on macOS Sequoia and later
- Have free options available
Where They Differ
DockDoor's strength: Singular focus on window previews. The project is community-maintained and open-source. If "window previews only" is what you want, DockDoor delivers it cleanly with no additional footprint.
Dockspace's strength: The widget system. If you want music controls, weather, and calendar information in the Dock alongside window previews, Dockspace is the only option that provides all of this in one cohesive app.
Configuration depth: DockDoor has reasonable configuration options focused on the preview cards. Dockspace has configuration for both window previews and all four widget types, plus widget positioning.
Price model: DockDoor is free and open-source. Dockspace is free with a one-time Pro option. The free tier of Dockspace covers everything most users need.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | DockDoor | Dockspace |
|---|---|---|
| Window preview cards on hover | ✓ | ✓ |
| Live music widget (song + controls) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Live weather widget | ✗ | ✓ |
| Calendar event widget | ✗ | ✓ |
| Enhanced animations | Preview cards only | ✓ |
| Open source | ✓ | ✗ |
| Free tier | ✓ (fully free) | ✓ (core features) |
| Paid upgrade | ✗ | ✓ (one-time Pro) |
| Native Dock preserved | ✓ | ✓ |
| macOS Sequoia compatible | ✓ | ✓ |
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose DockDoor if:
- You only want window previews, nothing else
- You prefer open-source software and want to inspect or contribute to the code
- You already have menu bar solutions for weather and music and do not need them in the Dock
Choose Dockspace if:
- You want window previews plus live Dock widgets (music, weather, calendar)
- You want a single app that covers the main Dock enhancement use cases
- You want music playback control without switching apps
- You want to see your next meeting at a glance
Use both if: You specifically want DockDoor's window preview card design alongside Dockspace's widget system. Both apps can run simultaneously since neither replaces the native Dock. Test whether their window preview systems conflict on your setup — in practice, most users find Dockspace alone is sufficient.
Window previews plus live widgets, all in one native app. Free to try.
Download DockspaceFrequently Asked Questions
Does DockDoor conflict with Dockspace?
Not necessarily. Since both apps enhance the native Dock rather than replacing it, they can coexist. You may experience visual overlap when both try to show window preview cards for the same hover event. If that happens, disable window previews in one app.
Is DockDoor still maintained in 2026?
DockDoor is an open-source project. Activity depends on community contributors. Check the GitHub repository for the current maintenance status and macOS compatibility notes.
Does Dockspace's window preview look the same as DockDoor's?
Both show hover card thumbnails, but the visual design differs. Dockspace's preview cards match the app's overall design system. Personal preference plays a role — install both and see which visual style you prefer.
Which app has a lower CPU footprint?
Both are lightweight. Dockspace stays under 1% CPU with all widgets active. DockDoor, being even more focused, has a similar or slightly lower footprint. Neither will appear in your battery-draining apps list.
Can I get the Dockspace widget system without window previews?
Yes. Each feature in Dockspace is independently toggleable. Disable window previews in Preferences and use only the widget system — or any other combination.