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macOS comes with ⌘Tab, ⌘`, Mission Control and the Dock, and each one is good at something. Here's what they do, where Flick fits in, and when you won't need it.
The short version
Open three Safari windows and ⌘Tab still shows one Safari icon. Flick gives each window its own row with its title, whichever Space it's on, so you land on the one you meant.
How Flick lines up with the tools macOS already gives you.
| Capability | Flick | ⌘Tab | ⌘` | Mission Control | Dock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shows individual windowsNot just one icon per app | YesWith app name and window title | NoOne icon per app | NoNo list on screen | YesAs live previews | PartlyOne app's windows, in its menu |
| All your windows in one placeEvery app at once | YesEvery app, every Space | NoApps only | NoFront app only | PartlyCurrent Space only | NoOne app at a time |
| Go to a window on another SpaceIncluding full-screen apps | YesSwitches Space for you | PartlyGoes to the app, not a chosen window | NoGenerally current Space only | PartlyOther Spaces show as thumbnails | Not verified |
| Minimized windowsBring back the one you want | YesListed, and restored when picked | PartlyOnly with a ⌥ trick | NoSkipped | PartlyIn App Exposé, not Mission Control | YesClick it in the Dock |
| Type to searchFind a window by name | YesApp names and window titles | No | No | No | No |
| Open apps that aren't running | YesFrom search | No | No | No | PartlyApps you keep in the Dock |
| Most recent first | YesBy window, or A to Z | YesBy app | Doesn't apply | NoLaid out on screen | NoFixed order |
| Quick tap to go back | YesTo the previous window | YesTo the previous app | PartlyWithin the front app | No | No |
| Close, minimize, hide or quitWithout switching first | YesAll four, from the keyboard | PartlyHide or quit an app | No | Not verified | PartlyHide or quit an app |
| Works from the keyboard alone | Yes | Yes | Yes | PartlyBuilt for the pointer | PartlyBuilt for the pointer |
| Live window previews | NoIcons and titles instead | NoApp icons | No | Yes | PartlyThumbnails of minimized windows |
| Ready out of the boxNothing to install, no permission | NoInstall it, then allow Accessibility | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Price | From $9.49Pay once, or use the free version | Free | Free | Free | Free |
The built-in tools are free, already on your Mac and need no permission. Mission Control is the only one here that lays out live previews of the windows on your screen, and ⌘` is the quickest way to flip between two windows of the same app.
The macOS columns assume default settings on macOS 14 Sonoma through macOS 26 Tahoe. Flick's column describes the full version; the free version switches between your 5 most recent windows. Last reviewed October 2026. If something has changed, tell us at support@flicknav.com.
Each one is best at something different. You don't have to pick just one.
you keep about one window per app and move between a handful of apps. It's built in, it's quick, and a single tap takes you back to the last app. ⌘` covers the rest by flipping between windows of the same app.
you'd rather see your windows than read about them. Swipe up with three fingers or press ⌃↑, and live previews of everything on the current Space spread out for you to click. ⌃← and ⌃→ move between Spaces.
you keep several windows per app, work across Spaces or in full screen, or would rather type a few letters than hunt. Flick uses ⌥Tab out of the box, so ⌘Tab keeps working exactly as it does today.
Pick one during setup or later in Settings › Shortcuts. It takes effect right away, and you can switch back any time.
Hold ⌥ and tap Tab to open Flick. ⌘Tab, ⇧⌘Tab and ⌘` stay exactly as macOS made them, so the app switcher you know works just as it always has.
Flick replaces the macOS app switcher while it runs: ⌘Tab and ⇧⌘Tab open Flick, and ⌘` moves backward through its list. Quit Flick and macOS gets all three back.
Good to knowIf you often use ⌘` to flip between windows of the same app, stay in Option mode. In Command mode that shortcut belongs to Flick, and Flick doesn't have a same-app equivalent.
Command mode needs the Accessibility permission. Until you allow it, macOS keeps ⌘Tab, so you always have a working switcher.
Not unless you ask it to. Flick uses ⌥Tab out of the box, and ⌘Tab, ⇧⌘Tab and ⌘` work as usual. If you choose Command mode, Flick takes over those three while it runs and hands them back when it quits. It's built to hand them back even if it quits unexpectedly.
Yes. Flick leaves Mission Control, App Exposé, the Dock and Spotlight as they are, so you can use them alongside it. The only built-in shortcuts it takes over are ones you hand it, like ⌘Tab in Command mode.
Flick lists each window as a row with its app icon, app name and window title, which is quick to scan and easy to search. It also means Flick never needs Screen Recording permission. When you want to see your windows laid out, Mission Control is the better tool.
⌘Tab is part of macOS. A separate app can only see and switch other apps' windows through Accessibility, so that's the one permission Flick asks for. Window titles are read only to draw the list, and are never saved or sent anywhere. How to allow Accessibility
Spotlight opens apps and files, but it doesn't take you to a specific open window. Flick's search does: type part of an app name or window title and press Return. Its search shortcut, ⇧⌘Space by default, opens Flick with search ready.
Flick lives on ⌥Tab, right next to the switcher you already know.
Flick 1.0 is coming soon.