DesktopBox vs Dockside
DesktopBox
github.com
Dockside
thedockside.appSide by side
| Figure | DesktopBox | Dockside |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Desktop Organization Software | 7.7 (#15) | 7.9 (#8) |
| Privacy | The project states that DesktopBox has no telemetry and makes no network connections. | The privacy policy says Dockside does not collect personal or usage data, works offline after license activation, and sends crash data to Sentry only if the user enables it. |
| Support | The project asks users to open GitHub issues with reproduction steps and an error log; Chinese users can also join QQ group 657713542. | The lifetime license includes support and updates; the maker lists Discord and email as contact channels. |
Plans
In their own words
DesktopBox
DesktopBox is a free, open-source organizer for 64-bit Windows 10 and 11. One-click Tidy sorts desktop files by type into a tabbed box, and later runs process only new files. Boxes store file paths rather than copies, so arranging items does not move the originals. Users can create boxes for apps, files, folders, shortcuts, and URLs, then convert, merge, or split them into tabbed containers. Tabs can be reordered by dragging. The app can hide or show desktop icons and place This PC, Recycle Bin, Control Panel, and Network in a box. A separate optional helper adds the native Windows right-click menu; the main app runs without it. Downloads include a portable executable, installer, and optional helper. The portable build includes its runtime, so a separate.NET installation is unnecessary. The project says DesktopBox has no telemetry and makes no network connections. Its repository uses the MIT license. The README lists the portable executable as 74 MB and warns that the unsigned program may trigger a SmartScreen warning on first run. The Free plan costs nothing.