DesktopBox vs Tabbles
DesktopBox
github.comTabbles
tabbles.netSide by side
| Figure | DesktopBox | Tabbles |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | €0.25/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 7 |
| Spec score · Desktop Organization Software | 7.7 (#15) | 7.9 (#9) |
| Privacy | The project states that DesktopBox has no telemetry and makes no network connections. | The privacy policy says Tabbles Cloud stores account email and tagging metadata but does not store file contents or email contents. |
| Purpose | DesktopBox is a free, open-source Windows desktop organizer described as an alternative to Fences. | Tabbles is file tagging software for individuals and teams that organizes files beyond folders and drive letters. |
| 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 purchase page lists support by email, phone, and Skype, plus help with setup and configuration. |
Plans
Tabbles
- FREEFree
- BASIC€3 a year
- PRO€5 a year
- CORPORATE€6 a year
- CORPORATE monthly€9 a month
- Hosted database€10 a month
- Tabbles Student€36 a year
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.
Tabbles
Tabbles organizes files through tags that can be shared across local disks, network drives, and cloud-synced folders. It can tag any file type on any file system, storing tags in a database without changing file names or adding hidden files to disk. Rules can assign tags based on paths, names, content, types, or data-mining matches such as email addresses and social security numbers. Unified search covers file names, paths, tags, comments, and file content; comments on files, bookmarks, and emails are searchable too. Teams can share tags and manage users, groups, and granular permissions. Tabbles integrates with Windows Explorer context menus and overlay icons, and preserves tags when files are moved or renamed there. Other listed integrations include Outlook email tagging, a Chrome extension, a bookmarklet, and support for Google Drive, Dropbox, and SharePoint-synced folders. Plans include a free personal option and paid subscriptions, including team and hosted database options. Tabbles 6 is listed for Windows Vista, 7, 8, 10, and 11; LAN mode requires Microsoft SQL Server Express 2008 or newer, with Azure SQL support.