uBar Alternative for Mac: Jetty vs uBar
By Eduard Bruch, developer of Jetty ·
uBar and Jetty both add a bar to your Mac, but they do different jobs. uBar replaces the Dock with a Windows-style taskbar that lists your open apps and windows. Jetty keeps the macOS Dock and adds up to four extra bars of one-click tiles for launching.
Short answer: if you want a bar for launching apps, files, folders, websites and Shortcuts, the best uBar alternative, in my opinion as its developer, is Jetty: bars on any screen edge or floating, with tabs, for a $9.99 one-time purchase on the Mac App Store, macOS 14 or later. If you want to see and switch between open windows like on Windows, uBar does that job and Jetty does not.
Disclosure: I build Jetty. Competitor details last checked: 2026-10-10, from each vendor's own pages.
Jetty vs uBar at a glance
| Jetty (our pick) | uBar 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Extra launch bars next to the macOS Dock | "the taskbar alternative to the Dock" (vendor page) |
| Open windows list | No | Yes, with window previews (vendor page) |
| Launch tiles | Apps, files, folders, websites, Shortcuts | Favorites area for apps, folders and files (vendor page) |
| Tabs | Yes, per bar | Not stated |
| Number of bars | Up to 4 | One per screen (vendor page) |
| Several displays | No, main display only | Yes: "Each screen gets its own bar" (vendor page) |
| Where to buy | Mac App Store | Vendor's site |
| Price model | One-time, $9.99 (US App Store) | One-time, Personal $30, Commercial $50 (vendor page) |
| Minimum macOS | 14 | 10.13 (vendor page) |
Sources: ubarapp.com, checked 2026-10-10; Jetty from its code and App Store listing (facts). "Not stated" means the vendor page does not mention it.
When Jetty is the better choice
- You want to launch things, not manage windows. Jetty bars hold the apps, project folders, files, websites and Shortcuts you pick, in tabs, one click each.
- You want to keep the macOS Dock (or hide it) and add bars around it, including on the top edge.
- You want several bars: for example apps on top, project folders on the left, and a floating bar for meeting links.
- You prefer the Mac App Store for purchase, updates and refunds.
When uBar is the better choice
- You switched from Windows and miss the taskbar. uBar shows running apps and their windows with previews; Jetty doesn't list windows.
- You use several displays and want a bar on each. uBar's page says each screen gets its own bar; Jetty's bars are on the main display only.
- You're on macOS older than 14. uBar's page lists macOS 10.13 or later; Jetty needs macOS 14.
For a replacement Dock with a start menu instead, see Jetty vs ActiveDock 2; the taskbar question in general is covered in Mac taskbar options.
Using both ideas together
If you mainly want a launch bar with the macOS Dock for running apps, Jetty plus the Dock covers it: daily apps and files in Jetty, open apps in the Dock (or hidden with Option-Command-D). If window switching is the main need, uBar is the tool for that job.
How we checked
On 2026-10-10 we read uBar's own website for features, price and requirements. We did not install or test uBar and we don't quote ratings. Jetty's details come from its source code; I build Jetty. Eight more dock apps are compared in the best dock apps for Mac.
FAQ
What is the best uBar alternative for Mac?
For launching apps, files, folders and websites, in my opinion as its developer, the best uBar alternative is Jetty: up to four bars on your screen edges with tabs, one-time on the Mac App Store. For a taskbar of open windows, uBar remains the tool built for that.
Is there a Windows-style taskbar for Mac?
uBar describes itself as a taskbar alternative to the Dock with open windows and previews. Jetty is a launch bar, not a taskbar: it opens things, it doesn't list open windows.
Does Jetty replace the Dock?
No. Jetty adds up to four bars next to the macOS Dock. You can keep the Dock, shrink it or hide it with Option-Command-D.
Is Jetty on the Mac App Store?
Yes. Jetty is a $9.99 one-time purchase on the Mac App Store and needs macOS 14 or later. uBar is sold on its vendor's site.
Get Jetty on the Mac App Store. $9.99 one-time purchase, macOS 14 or later.