Life & fun · alternatives · 2026

24 alternatives to Backdrop for Mac

Focus on one window at a time. Hide everything else.

Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. Backdrop for Mac launched in 2014; newer entries below may have overtaken it.

1
Focusdim▲137
A simple Mac app to enhance your visual focus
2025 · privdev.com · its alternatives →
2
Backdrop▲170
Hi HN, I'm Oskar, a solo indie Mac developer from Sweden. For those in the Mac community, you might know me from my other apps like Sensei and Trim Enabler. For years, I've been frustrated by the lack of customisation of macOS. In particular the Lock Screen which supports animated wallpapers, but only ones provided by Apple. There's never been a way to add your own personal videos. I decided to figure out how to solve this, and the result is Backdrop 2.0. Backdrop is my Live Wallpaper app for Mac, it can play video wallpapers on your desktop. And now it can play on your Lock Screen too. The…
2025 · cindori.com · its alternatives →
3
PeekFocus▲86
Make your screen instantly presentable with one keystroke.
May 2026 · lucidbit.app · its alternatives →
4
HazeOver: Distraction Dimmer▲403
Focus on one app by dimming all the background windows
2015 · hazeover.com · its alternatives →
5
Focusify▲75
Hide distracting elements, focus on your deep thinking
2020 · its alternatives →
6
Front and Center▲72
Classic Window Layering for the Mac
2020 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →
7
Hocus Focus▲304
A Mac menu bar utility that hides your inactive windows
2014 · hocusfoc.us · its alternatives →
8
Window Focus▲134
Highlight active apps & dim your screen
2016 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →
9
All Windows Appear▲102
Click one window, see all other related windows
2020 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →
10
FreshBackMac▲158
Fresh backgrounds for your Mac from multiple sources
2016 · arkanath.com · its alternatives →
11
Hyperfocused▲148
Deep work menubar app for macOS
2023 · hyperfocused.app · its alternatives →
12
Hush▲142
Blur your messy desktop to hide it during screen sharing
Feb 2026 · poteam.pro · its alternatives →
13
Later▲447
Save all your Mac apps for later with one click
2022 · getlater.app · its alternatives →
14
HocusFocus▲94
Switch focus across displays just by hovering
2025 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →
15
Unsplash Wallpapers for Mac (Official)▲524
Curated, HD desktop background photos from Unsplash.
2017 · unsplash.com · its alternatives →
16
Background Music▲218
Control the audio on your Mac apps from the menu bar
2016 · github.com · its alternatives →
17
Focus Window Highlighter▲12
A subtle highlight around your window for better focus
2025 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →
18
CoverDesk▲8
Hide Icons For Presentations & Focus
2021 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →
19
OneTask (Mac)▲146
Focus on one thing at a time
2014 · onetask.com · its alternatives →
20
One Goal▲132
Makes your goal more visible by showing it on the menu bar
2021 · timqian.com · its alternatives →
21
Fader▲90
Minimize windows when you switch apps automatically
Apr 2026 · eythor.com · its alternatives →
22
Mac Duo▲107
Turn your display into frosted glass as you close the lid
Sep 2026 · macduo.co.uk · its alternatives →
23
Hover▲94
See the contents of windows in an always-on-top window.
2020 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →
24
Hand Mirror for Mac▲191
A one-click camera check, right from the menu bar
2020 · handmirror.app · its alternatives →

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Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →