DockMaster vs Raycast: Different Tools, Different Focus
DockMaster and Raycast both aim to make macOS more productive, but they approach the problem from opposite directions. Raycast is a command launcher. DockMaster is a Dock enhancement. They can coexist — or you might prefer one over the other depending on your workflow.
What Raycast Does
Raycast is a keyboard-driven launcher and command palette. You press a shortcut, type a command, and it executes — open apps, run scripts, search files, manage snippets, control Spotify, and much more through its extension ecosystem.
What DockMaster Does
DockMaster enhances the Dock with three focused features: live window previews (hover to see what's open), clipboard history (access recent copies from the Dock), and a file shelf (stage files for drag-and-drop across apps). It's not a launcher — it's a visual, Dock-based workflow tool.
Key Differences
| Aspect | DockMaster | Raycast |
|---|---|---|
| Primary function | Dock enhancement | Command launcher |
| Interaction style | Visual (hover, click, drag) | Keyboard-first (type commands) |
| Window previews | Live, from the Dock | Not available |
| Clipboard history | Yes, Dock-integrated | Yes, via command palette |
| File staging (Shelf) | Yes | No |
| Extensions/plugins | No | Large extension ecosystem |
| AI features | No | Yes (Raycast AI, Pro plan) |
| Price | Free + Pro £14.99 (one-time) | Free + Pro $8/mo |
Can You Use Both?
Yes. They don't conflict. Raycast handles command-line-style workflows (launching, scripting, searching). DockMaster handles visual desktop workflows (previewing windows, managing clipboard, staging files). Many users find them complementary.
When DockMaster Is a Better Fit
If your main need is seeing what's in each window before switching, or quickly staging files between apps, DockMaster is purpose-built for that. It's lighter weight, one-time pricing (£14.99), and doesn't try to do everything — it does three things well.