AutoShelf vs Dockside
AutoShelf
useautoshelf.com
Dockside
thedockside.appSide by side
| Figure | AutoShelf | Dockside |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Spec score · Desktop Organization Software | 8.4 (#3) | 7.9 (#8) |
| Integrations | The site says AutoShelf can sort by the app that downloaded a file, including Safari, Chrome, and Arc. | Dockside lists Clop for file optimization, Dropshare for uploads, and PopClip for sending selected text to the shelf. |
| Support | The support page offers a contact form for bugs, ideas, and help requests. | The lifetime license includes support and updates; the maker lists Discord and email as contact channels. |
Plans
In their own words
AutoShelf
AutoShelf organizes files in watched folders according to rules you create. Rules can match file type, source URL, downloading app, size, age, and filename, then move, copy, rename, tag, trash, archive, or optimize files. Dry runs show which files match and what actions are planned without changing files while the preview is active. Quick Action Zones let you drop files onto a zone assigned to one action, and you can create as many zones as you like. Five built-in templates cover Downloads, old DMGs, Desktop cleanup, sorting by source, and installers. AutoShelf can inspect document text to route invoices, receipts, and contracts or tag confidential content; for photos, it reads six EXIF fields including location and date taken. The macOS app requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later and supports Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. The Free plan allows one rule for one folder and its subfolders. Unlimited rules costs $19.99, paid once. The companion CLI requires the app, and the local MCP server supports clients including Claude Desktop, Codex, Cursor, and Windsurf.