Desktop Groups vs Paddock
Desktop Groups
kitestack.comPaddock
github.comSide by side
| Figure | Desktop Groups | Paddock |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Desktop Organization Software | 7.9 (#7) | 7.3 (#26) |
| File handling | Users can add or remove files by drag and drop and move groups around the desktop. | Desktop items moved into zones are stored in hidden folders under the user's Desktop, and Paddock says removing a zone or dragging an item out returns it to the desktop without deleting or overwriting files. |
| Purpose | Desktop Groups groups related files on the desktop, for example by project, task, or files to handle today. | Paddock is a free, open-source desktop icon organizer for Windows that groups icons into styled zones. |
Plans
In their own words
Desktop Groups
Desktop Groups has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
Paddock
Paddock is a free, open-source Windows desktop icon organizer that groups icons into styled zones. Users can create resizable areas and set each zone’s transparency, background color, corner radius, and title visibility. Icons can be sorted by name, modification date, file type, or file size, in either direction. Zones can be hidden or shown from the tray icon or with the default Ctrl+F12 shortcut, then rolled up to their title strips. Named layout profiles can be saved, switched, and exported as .paddock files for sharing. Paddock adds native Windows context menus such as Open, Open With, and Properties. Items moved into zones are stored in hidden folders under the Desktop; removing a zone or dragging an item out returns them without deleting or overwriting files. It requires Windows 10 version 1903 or later, or Windows 11.