About Contexts
Contexts is a window switcher for Mac that provides multiple ways to switch between application windows: Fast Search, a replacement for Command-Tab, a Sidebar, or a gesture. It includes features for multiple spaces and multiple displays.
The app allows users to switch to windows by typing a few characters from an app name or window title. It matches non-consecutive characters, prioritizes acronym matches, and creates search shortcuts so that frequently used windows can be accessed with minimal keystrokes.
Key features
- Search window opened with a customizable keyboard shortcut (default Control-Space) to filter windows by typing characters from app name
- Fast Search mode: hold a modifier key (e.g. Fn) and type a short query; releasing the key switches to the selected window
- Search shortcuts: repeated queries automatically prioritize the previously selected window
- Non-consecutive character matching and acronym prioritization for faster selection
- Sidebar and gesture-based switching
- Works with multiple spaces and multiple displays
Good fit for
- Quickly switching between frequently used windows with two or three keystrokes
- Managing many open windows across multiple virtual desktops
Contexts: questions and answers
- What is Contexts used for?
- Contexts is a window switcher for macOS that lets users switch between application windows using search, keyboard shortcuts, a sidebar, or gestures. It is a good fit for quickly switching between frequently used windows with two or three keystrokes and managing many open windows across multiple virtual desktops.
- Is Contexts open source?
- No. Contexts is proprietary (closed-source) software. In the Utilities & System Tools category, open-source options include Alt Tab Macos, Amethyst and Clipy.
- What are some alternatives to Contexts?
- Contexts competes with Raycast.
Open-source alternatives to Contexts
See all
Alt Tab Macos
Utilities & System Tools
Windows alt-tab on macOS
GPL-3.0vs Raycast★ 16k
Amethyst
Utilities & System Tools
Automatic tiling window manager for macOS à la xmonad.
MITvs BetterTouchTool★ 16k
Clipy
Utilities & System Tools
Clipboard extension app for macOS.
MITvs Paste★ 8.9k
Kap
Utilities & System Tools
An open-source screen recorder built with web technology
MITvs CleanShot X★ 19k
LICEcap
Utilities & System Tools
LICEcap simple animated screen capture tool for Windows and OS X
OSSvs CleanShot X★ 5.6k
Tarantool
Database Tools
Get your data in RAM. Get compute close to data. Enjoy the performance.
OSSvs Amazon ElastiCache★ 3.7k
SaaS alternatives to Contexts
See all
Raycast
Productivity
Launcher for macOS and Windows with extensions, snippets and an AI assistant
SaaS
Keypirinha
Utilities & System Tools
A fast launcher for keyboard ninjas on Windows
SaaS
Actions
Utilities & System Tools
Productivity tools for macOS & iOS that add Shortcuts automation features to apps
SaaS
ActiveDock
Utilities & System Tools
Dock replacement for macOS
SaaS
Gridsutra
Utilities & System Tools
macOS window arranging and positioning tool for organizing multiple windows and creating custom layouts
SaaS
iBar
Utilities & System Tools
Jump to any page in your browser history in a couple of keystrokes
SaaS

