Switchbar vs. Browserosaurus
An actively maintained picker with browser profiles, rules, and link cleanup.
Browserosaurus is a free, open-source browser picker for Mac. Its developer archived the project in August 2025, so it no longer receives updates. Switchbar offers the same quick picker, plus browser profiles, rules, and link cleanup, on Mac and Windows, and it keeps getting updates.
Also available on Windows.
· Compared with Browserosaurus 20
At a glance
Switchbar
A free picker that opens every link in the right browser, profile, or app, with rules and link cleanup built in, and regular updates. Best for anyone looking for a maintained browser picker.
Browserosaurus
A free, open-source (GPL-3.0) browser picker for Mac that shows your browsers and supported apps near the pointer. It was archived in August 2025 and is no longer maintained.
Still maintained
Browserosaurus was archived on August 2, 2025, and its last release came out in July 2025. Supported browsers and apps are built into its code, so new ones won't be added.
Switchbar is actively developed and updates itself automatically. It also rescans your computer for new browsers, profiles, and apps on its own.
Profiles and rules
Browserosaurus always shows its picker and treats browser profiles as out of scope. Holding Shift opens a private window in browsers that support one.
Switchbar shows your browser profiles alongside your browsers, and rules let links you open often skip the picker entirely.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Switchbar | Browserosaurus |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A free picker that opens every link in the right browser, profile, or app | An open-source browser picker for Mac, archived in 2025 |
| Platforms | macOS, Windows | macOS |
| Picker | A row of your favorite browsers, profiles, and apps, at the center of the screen or under your pointer, with keyboard shortcuts | Appears near the pointer, with a one-key shortcut for each app |
| Browser profiles | Open links in a specific browser profile, or in an Incognito or InPrivate window | Not supported; private windows by holding Shift |
| Desktop apps | Opens links in desktop apps like Zoom, Figma, Spotify, and Notion, suggesting the matching app first | A built-in list of about 100 apps, including Zoom, Spotify, and Teams |
| Rules | Rules by URL, domain, or email address with wildcards, set in a few clicks or right from the picker | None; it always shows the picker |
| Updates | Updated regularly, with automatic updates | No longer maintained since August 2025 |
Why Switchbar
Why choose Switchbar
Keeps up with your apps
Regular updates mean new browsers and macOS releases are taken care of, and Switchbar picks up new apps on its own.
Profiles and rules
Open links in a specific browser profile, and let rules handle the sites you visit every day.
Free, on Mac and Windows
Switchbar is free, needs no account, and works the same way on both platforms.
Where Browserosaurus may be a better fit
- You want free, open-source software you can inspect and modify.
- You want links to open in Slack, which is on its built-in app list.
- You prefer a one-key shortcut for each app in the picker.
Which should you choose?
Choose Browserosaurus if you want open-source software and are comfortable using an app that won't get updates.
Choose Switchbar if you want a maintained, free picker with browser profiles, rules, and clean links, on Mac and Windows.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I switch from Browserosaurus to Switchbar?
- Download Switchbar and make it your default browser. It finds your browsers, profiles, and apps on its own. Pick your favorites, then add rules as you go by checking "Remember this choice" in the picker, or import rules you've exported from another Switchbar install.
- Can Switchbar open links in a specific browser profile?
- Yes. Switchbar lists your browser profiles alongside your browsers, so you can open a link in a specific profile, or in an Incognito or InPrivate window, with one click or a rule.
- Is Browserosaurus still maintained?
- No. Its developer archived the project on August 2, 2025, and said it is no longer maintained. Switchbar is a free alternative that keeps getting updates.
- Is Switchbar free?
- Yes. Switchbar is free to use, with no account needed, and it runs on both Mac and Windows.
Take control of your links today
Free to use. Available for macOS and Windows.
Also available on Windows.
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