How do I switch from Choosy 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.

Will my Choosy extensions and scripts work with Switchbar?

Yes. Switchbar handles Choosy's x-choosy:// links, so extensions, bookmarklets, and scripts that send links to Choosy open them in Switchbar instead.

Yes. Switchbar is free to use, with no account needed, and it runs on both Mac and Windows.

Switchbar vs. Choosy

The same everyday flow, free on Mac and Windows, with link cleanup built in.

Choosy has been a smarter default browser for Mac since 2007, with a deep rule system and a picker that pops up at your pointer. Switchbar gives you the same everyday flow, a picker plus rules, for free on both Mac and Windows, with tracking removal and short-link expansion built in.

Download for macOS

Also available on Windows.

Last reviewed October 8, 2026 · Compared with Choosy 2.5

At a glance

Switchbar

A free picker that opens every link in the right browser, profile, or app, with simple rules and link cleanup built in. Best for people who want a quick choice on every link, on Mac or Windows.

Choosy

A long-running Mac app that opens every link in the right browser, with a detailed rule editor, a picker at your pointer, and extensions for most browsers. Best for Mac users who want very fine-grained rules.

Rules

Choosy rules can match regular expressions, the app a link came from, modifier keys, how many browsers are running, and links from Handoff or AirDrop. That makes it one of the most detailed rule systems around.

Switchbar rules cover what most people need: match a URL, domain, or email address with wildcards, then open it in a browser, profile, or app, copy it, or always ask. You can create a rule right from the picker and drag rules into order.

Cleaner links

Switchbar removes tracking parameters and expands common short links before deciding where a link opens, so your rules see the real destination.

Choosy can expand short URLs to show them in its prompt, after your rules have run.

Already using Choosy?

Switchbar understands Choosy's x-choosy:// links. Browser extensions, bookmarklets, and scripts that send links to Choosy keep working after you switch.

Feature comparison

Feature	Switchbar	Choosy
What it is	A free picker that opens every link in the right browser, profile, or app	A rule-based default browser and picker for Mac
Platforms	macOS, Windows	macOS 15.6 or later
Picker	A row of your favorite browsers, profiles, and apps, at the center of the screen or under your pointer, with keyboard shortcuts	Appears at your pointer in a row or circle, with ⌘+number shortcuts
Browser profiles	Open links in a specific browser profile, or in an Incognito or InPrivate window	Profiles and private windows in Chrome, Edge, Brave, and Vivaldi
Desktop apps	Opens links in desktop apps like Zoom, Figma, Spotify, and Notion, suggesting the matching app first	Any app can be added to the list, though non-browsers may not work correctly
Rules	Rules by URL, domain, or email address with wildcards, set in a few clicks or right from the picker	Regex, wildcards, source app, modifier keys, running browsers, Handoff, and AirDrop
Link cleanup	Removes tracking parameters and expands common short links, on by default	Expands short links for display in the prompt
Browser extensions	Chrome extension and bookmarklet	Extensions for Safari, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and more

Why Switchbar

Why choose Switchbar

Free, on Mac and Windows

Switchbar is free, needs no account, and works the same way on both platforms.

Clean links before routing

Tracking parameters are removed and short links are expanded before your rules run, so links land where you expect.

An easy switch

Switchbar handles Choosy's x-choosy:// links, so the extensions and scripts you already use keep working.

Where Choosy may be a better fit

You want rules based on regular expressions, the source app, modifier keys, or Handoff and AirDrop.
You automate links with Shortcuts actions or a URL API with custom methods.
You want browser extensions for Safari, Firefox, or Edge.

Which should you choose?

Choose Choosy if you live on a Mac and want the most detailed rules for every link.

Choose Switchbar if you want a free picker with simple rules and clean links that works on Mac and Windows, and an easy way to bring your Choosy setup along.

Frequently asked questions

How do I switch from Choosy 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.
Will my Choosy extensions and scripts work with Switchbar?: Yes. Switchbar handles Choosy's x-choosy:// links, so extensions, bookmarklets, and scripts that send links to Choosy open them in Switchbar instead.
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.