dmenu vs Dropzone
dmenu
tools.suckless.orgDropzone
aptonic.comSide by side
| Figure | dmenu | Dropzone |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 12 |
| Spec score · App Launcher Software | 8.7 (#5) | 8.9 (#2) |
| Spec score · App Launchers | 8.6 (#7) | 9.0 (#4) |
| Spec score · App launchers | 8.6 (#7) | 9.0 (#4) |
| Extensibility | The source tree includes configuration headers, shell helpers, C sources and manual pages, while the project publishes community patches. | Users can install add-on actions and create their own actions in Ruby or Python. |
| Support | The suckless community page identifies the dev mailing list as a place for dmenu users, development discussion, bug reports, and general discussion. | Aptonic offers email support at [email protected], community forums, registration guidance and serial retrieval. |
| What it does | dmenu is a dynamic menu for X that efficiently handles large sets of user-defined items. | Dropzone is a Mac productivity app for drag-and-drop file transfers, application launching, sharing and service uploads. |
Plans
Dropzone
- FreeFree
- Pro MonthlyPrice not published
- Pro YearlyPrice not published
- Pro LifetimePrice not published
- Dropzone 5 free downloadFree
- FreeFree
- Dropzone 5 Pro subscription$1.99 a month
- Dropzone 4 Pro Monthly$4.99 a month
- Dropzone 4 Pro Yearly$19.99 a year
- Dropzone 4 Pro Lifetime$34.99, paid once
In their own words
dmenu
dmenu is a free dynamic menu for X that handles large sets of user-defined menu items and can launch commands. It runs on Linux and was originally designed for the dwm window manager. Community scripts apply it to tasks such as browsing directories, managing clipboard contents, accessing passwords, and controlling music; contributed modifications are available in a patches collection. The project provides a browsable source repository and a Git clone command. Building requires Xlib header files, and the README describes building and installing with `make clean install`, with files placed in the `/usr/local` namespace by default. The listed release is dmenu 5.4, dated 2025-08-09. Its source uses the MIT/X Consortium License, which permits use, copying, modification, distribution, sublicensing, and sale of copies subject to its conditions, while disclaiming warranties. The suckless dev mailing list is identified as a venue for user questions, development discussion, bug reports, and general discussion.
Dropzone
Dropzone is a macOS app for drag-and-drop workflows, file transfers, application launches, and service integrations. Built-in actions rename, move, and copy files, share through AirDrop, and launch apps. Other actions resize or compress images, download videos, and shorten URLs. Drop Bar temporarily holds files for later dragging to applications or Dropzone actions. Dropzone 5 supports multiple grids, with controls for columns, size, and action arrangement. Its dz command-line tool can run actions, add files to Drop Bar, and switch grids. Users can install add-on actions or create their own in Ruby or Python. Listed service actions include SFTP, Amazon S3, and Imgur; SFTP and Amazon S3 uploads are Pro features. The Free plan includes a customizable app, folder, and action grid, multiple grids, and Drop Bar. Dropzone 5 Pro costs $1.99 a month after a 14-day free trial, or 35.00 USD once for a lifetime license. The app requires macOS 13 or later and supports Tahoe.