What is ReturnFast used for?

ReturnFast is a native macOS menu-bar app that adds a global Back and Forward history across apps, restoring the right window, browser tab, editor file or Finder folder. It is a good fit for retracing your steps across apps and windows, and jumping back to a previous editor file or browser tab.

How much does ReturnFast cost?

Paid plans for ReturnFast start at $29 as a one-time payment, and there is no free plan.

Is ReturnFast open source?

No. ReturnFast is proprietary (closed-source) software. In the Productivity category, open-source options include Maccy, Stats and Rectangle.

What are some alternatives to ReturnFast?

ReturnFast competes with BetterTouchTool.

ReturnFast: features, pricing and alternatives

About ReturnFast

ReturnFast is a macOS 14+ menu-bar app that keeps a browser-style history across every application. Press Option-Command-[ to go back and Option-Command-] to go forward through the places you have been, whether that was a Slack channel, a terminal, a documentation tab or a source file. It records navigation locations on your Mac, on the device, and brings back the most specific context it can for each app.

Restoration depth depends on the app. Supported tools get deeper adapters: it can bring back a matching Chromium tab, a Finder folder, an editor file or a matching window, and in VS Code and Cursor it raises the window and opens the captured file at its line when macOS exposes a path and line. Other apps still get app-level and window-level Back. The site lists VS Code, Cursor, Chrome, iTerm2, Slack, Finder and Postman.

The site contrasts it with Command-Tab: an app switcher helps you choose a destination, whereas ReturnFast stores the sequence of places you actually visited, which lets you retrace it and then step forward again. It is sold as a one-time purchase from $29, with no subscription and no free trial.

Key features

Global Back and Forward keyboard shortcuts
On-device browser-style history across apps
Restores matching Chromium tabs
Restores Finder folders and editor files
Opens captured VS Code and Cursor files at line
Native macOS 14+ menu-bar app

Good fit for

Retracing your steps across apps and windows
Jumping back to a previous editor file or browser tab

Tags: macos; productivity; navigation; menu-bar; shortcuts; window-management; back-button

ReturnFast: questions and answers

What is ReturnFast used for?: ReturnFast is a native macOS menu-bar app that adds a global Back and Forward history across apps, restoring the right window, browser tab, editor file or Finder folder. It is a good fit for retracing your steps across apps and windows, and jumping back to a previous editor file or browser tab.
How much does ReturnFast cost?: Paid plans for ReturnFast start at $29 as a one-time payment, and there is no free plan.
Is ReturnFast open source?: No. ReturnFast is proprietary (closed-source) software. In the Productivity category, open-source options include Maccy, Stats and Rectangle.
What are some alternatives to ReturnFast?: ReturnFast competes with BetterTouchTool.