# MetaDock vs Workspace Tools Source: https://metadock.app/compare/workspace Workspace manager comparison # MetaDock vs workspace & tab managers Most workspace tools organize tabs and web apps inside one browser. MetaDock is a tiled desktop of real browsers _and_ native Windows apps, each with its own isolated profile, all saved as workspaces you reopen in one click. [Looking to automate browsers instead? See the automation comparison →](https://metadock.app/compare/automation) ## The Core Difference MetaDock **Tiled desktop of browsers + apps** Real browsers and native Windows apps docked side by side, each with its own profile. Saved workspaces, multi-monitor, flat monthly pricing. Wavebox **Productivity browser** Chromium browser that groups web apps into workspaces with split views. Cross-platform. Per-seat subscription. Shift **Account & app hub** Desktop app that unifies email accounts and web apps in one place. Mac/Windows. Per-seat subscription. Workona **Tab & session manager** Chrome extension + web app that organizes tabs into workspaces and saves sessions. Rides your existing browser. Arc / Ghost Browser **Workspace-first browsers** Browser-native spaces and multi-session identities. Ghost Browser adds per-identity proxies. (Arc wound down active development in 2025.) Zen Browser **Firefox-based workspace browser** Free, open-source browser with workspaces, split view, and vertical tabs. Cross-platform. No native-app docking or automation. Regular browser **Chrome / Edge, many windows** Free and familiar, but you tile windows by hand, lose your layout on restart, and get only coarse profile separation. ## Feature Comparison Competitor features and pricing shown are as of July 2026 and change frequently — verify current details on each vendor's website before deciding. “Regular browser” means Chrome or Edge used with multiple windows and profiles. Feature comparison: MetaDock vs. Wavebox, Shift, Workona, Arc / Ghost Browser, Zen Browser, and a regular browser Feature MetaDock Wavebox Shift Workona Arc / Ghost Browser Zen Browser Regular browser Layout & workspace Tiled grid of browsers side by side YesAuto-tiling PartialSplit view No No No PartialSplit view PartialManual Dock & split panels by ratio Yes Partial No No No PartialSplit view No Save & restore full workspace YesLayout, URLs, profiles YesWorkspaces PartialCustom layout YesTabs & sessions PartialSessions PartialWorkspaces No Multi-monitor layouts Yes Partial No No No PartialManual PartialManual Apps beyond the browser Dock native Windows apps (Slack, Excel, IDE) YesBeta NoWeb apps only NoWeb apps only No No No No Web apps in the workspace Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes YesWeb panels YesAs tabs Identity & accounts Per-profile isolation (cookies, sessions) YesUnlimited by edition Yes YesPer account NoUses your Chrome profile Yes PartialContainers PartialCoarse profiles Per-profile proxy Yes Yes No No YesPro No No Anti-fingerprint spoofing PartialBeta (Pro) No No No No PartialFirefox RFP No Automation & AI Built-in AI assistant Yes No No No No No No AI / MCP control of browsers Yes No No No No No No Automation API (REST, WebDriver, CDP) Yes No No No No No No Platform & pricing Platform Windows Win / Mac / Linux Win / Mac Chrome (any OS) Win / Mac / Linux Win / Mac / Linux All Data stays local Yes PartialCloud sync PartialCloud sync NoCloud workspaces Partial YesOptional sync Yes Built-in ad & tracker blocking Yes No No No No PartialTrackers No Pricing model Flat monthly (from $10) Per-seat sub Per-seat sub Freemium / sub Subscription Free (open source) Free ## When to Choose Each Choose MetaDock - You want browsers **and** native apps tiled in one window - You reopen the same multi-panel setup every day - You run many isolated profiles, each with its own proxy - You want one flat price, data kept local, on Windows Choose Wavebox - You need Mac or Linux, not just Windows - Your day is web apps, not native desktop apps - You want deep per-web-app integrations and notifications Choose Shift - Your main pain is juggling many email accounts - You want a simple hub for accounts and web apps - You're on Mac or Windows and don't need tiling Choose Workona - You want to stay in Chrome, not switch browsers - You mainly need tabs organized into saved sessions - Lightweight, cross-OS, no desktop app to install Choose Arc / Ghost - You want multi-session identities inside one browser - Per-identity proxies matter (Ghost Browser) - You don't need tiling or native-app docking Choose Zen Browser - You want a free, open-source browser - You like workspaces, split view, and vertical tabs built in - Cross-platform; no native-app docking or automation needed Stick with a regular browser - You only juggle a couple of accounts - You don't need saved layouts or tiling - Free matters more than a built cockpit ## One window. Every browser, app, and identity. 14-day free trial. Build a workspace once, reopen it forever. [View Plans](https://metadock.app/pricing)[See Features](https://metadock.app/features) Steam reviews ## What people are saying “So far this software has some excellent features and a promising future. The ability to have a highly custom interface gives this software a wide range of application from home to business.” [D4nnyOP](https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198000251897/recommended/2520820/)Steam user 37 hrs “Great app, does not use a lot of processing power while using. Recommend if you have one big screen and want to multitask efficiently.” [Abstra208](https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561199098492211/recommended/2520820/)Steam user 127 hrs “Helps so much with workflow. Would absolutely recommend.” [5ishy](https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198294035978/recommended/2520820/)Steam user 36 hrs “Very interesting application, great for productivity. This has fast become a tool in my tool box.” [slimpickins4444](https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561199210957897/recommended/2520820/)Steam user 10 hrs “It just works. So far the best browser I ever used. It has more functions than I ever knew I needed.” [Spirit Chaser](https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198244620736/recommended/2520820/)Steam user 7,829 hrs All quotes are from pseudonymous Steam reviewers. [Verify on Steam](https://steamcommunity.com/app/2520820/reviews/). Reviews curated and re-checked against the live page as of 2026-05-23. ### 14-day free trial No charge for 14 days. A card is required to start; cancel anytime before day 14 and you pay nothing. ### Cancel anytime No lock-in. Stop your subscription whenever you want. ### Local-first data Multi-monitor layouts, profiles, and browsing data stored locally. No cloud sync.