Spacepal vs Doorplate
If you want names in Mission Control and a quick way to jump between them, Doorplate is cheaper and asks for less permission. Choose Spacepal if you want to see live previews of every Space, search windows across them and restore your windows after a restart.
Comparison
| Spacepal | Doorplate | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 launch price (regular $12.99), 3 Macs, all future updates | $7.99 one-time, 3 Macs |
| Trial | 14 days, no card | 14 days, no card |
| Refund | 30 days | 14 days |
| Names in Mission Control | Yes | Yes |
| Switcher | Overview with live previews | Quick Switcher, hover strip |
| Shortcut per desktop | Yes | Yes |
| Window search across Spaces | Yes | Not stated |
| Restores windows after a restart | Yes, with limits by macOS version | Not stated |
| Permissions | Accessibility; Screen Recording optional, for previews | Accessibility |
| Automation | URL scheme, AppleScript, MCP server, Raycast, Alfred | Shortcuts, Raycast, Alfred links |
| System | macOS 14 or later | macOS 14 or later |
| Unread counts on desktops | No | Yes: Dock badge counts on its desktop tiles, and the desktop that needs you is outlined (1.4.0) |
| Hide names for screen sharing | No | Presentation mode, ⌃⌥P or a link (1.4.0) |
| Name beside the notch | Yes, a strip of Spaces in the notch | Yes, a label beside the notch |
Doorplate details checked 2026-11-05 (changelog 2026-11-06) from doorplate.app (version 1.6.2). These are its own statements; we have not run it. "Not stated" means its site does not mention it.
The differences that matter
Previews cost a permission
Spacepal's previews are why it asks for Screen Recording. It keeps working without it, showing colored cards instead. If you don't want previews, that permission buys you nothing.
Price
The $2 launch difference is small, and it becomes $5 at Spacepal's regular price. It only pays off if you use what Doorplate does not offer.
When Doorplate is the better choice
- You only care about names and want the lowest price.
- You prefer to grant a single permission.
When Spacepal is the better choice
- You want to see what is on a desktop, not just its name.
- You run many desktops and need to find windows across them.
- You restart often and want your windows put back.
Related
- Rename desktops on a Mac for free
- macOS 27 Mission Control and Spaces fixes
- All comparisons and alternatives
We make Spacepal, so read this with that in mind. Competitor details come from their own sites and are dated; if something is out of date, email support@getspacepal.com and we will fix it.
Written by Dan Bayer, developer of Spacepal. Last updated 2026-11-06.