Shelfy vs Dockside
Short answer
Both apps put a file shelf in the empty space beside your Mac’s Dock and keep your newest screenshots and downloads close. Dockside is the one to pick if you like to set things up: shelves on any edge of any screen, automation drop zones, notes and an app drawer. Shelfy is the one to pick if you want it to just work: one shelf, one recents strip, one shortcut and a single Settings page.
At a glance
| Feature | Shelfy | Dockside |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5.99 at launch, once | $5.99, once |
| Free trial | Live demo on the website | 14 days |
| Needs | macOS 14 Sonoma | macOS 13 Ventura |
| Shelf beside the Dock | ||
| Recent screenshots and downloads | ||
| Compress, remove metadata, copy text, zip | ||
| Shelves on any screen edge, or away from the Dock | — | |
| Drop zones that run Shortcuts, AppleScript or commands | — | |
| Quick notes and an app drawer | — | |
| Upload to the cloud for a share link | — | |
| Languages | English | 7 |
| Search everything with one shortcut (⇧⌘Space) | See their site | |
| Keeps screenshots copied to the clipboard | See their site |
“See their site” means Dockside’s site doesn’t say either way, so we won’t guess. Facts about Dockside are from its website, checked October 17, 2026.
Where Dockside is better
- Placement. Its shelves can sit on any edge of any screen, follow the Dock or stay independent, in bottom or vertical layouts.
- Automation. Drop zones can run Shortcuts, AppleScript and command-line tools on whatever you drop.
- More than files. Quick notes, an app drawer, a temporary floating shelf you call up with a shake, and folder monitoring.
- Sharing and languages. It can upload a file for a shareable link, and it’s translated into six languages besides English.
- A free trial. You can use Dockside for 14 days before paying; Shelfy offers a live demo on its website instead.
- Older Macs. It runs on macOS 13 Ventura; Shelfy needs macOS 14 Sonoma.
Where Shelfy is better
- Nothing to set up. Shelfy lines up with your Dock on its own and has a single Settings page. There are no layouts, zones or materials to choose.
- One shortcut for everything. ⇧⌘Space opens the shelf, screenshots and downloads in one searchable panel, with Quick Look on Space and the arrow keys to move around.
- Clipboard screenshots. Screenshots taken with ⌃⇧⌘3 or ⌃⇧⌘4 show up next to the ones saved as files.
- Careful with your files. Shelf items follow files you rename or move, say so when a file is gone, and every removal can be undone.
Who should pick which
Pick Dockside if you…
want shelves on more than one edge, like building automations, or use a Mac on macOS 13.
Pick Shelfy if you…
want a shelf that’s simply there when you need it, and like doing things from the keyboard.
Dockside has a 14-day free trial, and Shelfy has a live demo on its home page, so the honest advice is to try the one that sounds like you.
Questions
Is Shelfy a Dockside alternative?
Yes. Both put a file shelf beside the Mac Dock and show recent screenshots and downloads. Dockside is built around customization; Shelfy is built to need none.
Which one costs less?
At launch both cost $5.99 once. Dockside has a 14-day free trial; Shelfy has a live demo on its website instead. Shelfy’s price rises to $9.99 and then $15.99 as launch batches sell out.
Which one works on older macOS?
Dockside supports macOS 13 Ventura and later. Shelfy needs macOS 14 Sonoma or later.
Just want a shelf beside your Dock?
Shelfy is $5.99 at launch, once. Pay once, keep it, free updates.
Get Shelfy for $5.99Sources
- Dockside for Mac, hachipoo.com, checked October 17, 2026.