How do I switch from Finicky 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.

Do I need to write code to use Switchbar?

No. Switchbar rules are set in its settings or right from the picker: match a URL, domain, or email address with wildcards and choose where it opens.

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

Switchbar vs. Finicky

A picker and point-and-click rules, instead of a JavaScript config file.

Finicky is a free, open-source Mac app that routes links with rules you write in a JavaScript config file. Switchbar gives you a picker for every link plus rules you create in a few clicks, with no code needed, on Mac and Windows.

Download for macOS

Also available on Windows.

Last reviewed October 8, 2026 · Compared with Finicky 4

At a glance

Switchbar

A free picker that opens every link in the right browser, profile, or app, with rules you set in a few clicks. Best for people who want control over links without writing code.

Finicky

A free, open-source (MIT) link router for Mac, configured with a JavaScript or TypeScript file that can match regex, functions, the source app, and modifier keys. Best for developers who want fully scriptable routing.

A picker when you want to choose

Finicky has no picker: every link follows the rules in your config file, and its README points people who want to choose to a separate app.

Switchbar shows a picker whenever no rule applies, so you can decide on the spot. Check "Remember this choice" and Switchbar turns that decision into a rule.

Rules without code

Finicky's rules live in a JavaScript or TypeScript file, with wildcards, regex, functions, the source app, and modifier keys. A visual rules editor is available in a pre-release version.

Switchbar rules live in its settings. Match a URL, domain, or email address with wildcards, choose where it opens, and drag rules into order. You can export your rules and import them on another computer.

Cleaner links

Switchbar removes tracking parameters and expands common short links by default. In Finicky, you clean up links by writing rewrite rules.

Feature comparison

Feature	Switchbar	Finicky
What it is	A free picker that opens every link in the right browser, profile, or app	A rules-only link router configured with JavaScript
Platforms	macOS, Windows	macOS 12 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	No picker; links follow your rules
Browser profiles	Open links in a specific browser profile, or in an Incognito or InPrivate window	Chromium profiles; Firefox profiles in a pre-release
Desktop apps	Opens links in desktop apps like Zoom, Figma, Spotify, and Notion, suggesting the matching app first	Any app, through rules you write
Rules	Rules by URL, domain, or email address with wildcards, set in a few clicks or right from the picker	A JavaScript or TypeScript file with wildcards, regex, functions, source app, and modifier keys
Link cleanup	Removes tracking parameters and expands common short links, on by default	Rewrite rules you write; expands known short links
Browser extensions	Chrome extension and bookmarklet	Chrome and Firefox extensions

Why Switchbar

Why choose Switchbar

No code required

Set up rules in a few clicks, or straight from the picker, instead of editing a config file.

Choose on the spot

For links without a rule, a picker shows your favorite browsers, profiles, and apps, with keyboard shortcuts.

Free, on Mac and Windows

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

Where Finicky may be a better fit

You want free, open-source software you can inspect and modify.
You want fully scriptable rules with regex, functions, the source app, or modifier keys.
You like keeping your configuration in a file under version control.

Which should you choose?

Choose Finicky if you are comfortable writing JavaScript and want complete control over routing, with no picker.

Choose Switchbar if you want a picker for everyday choices and simple rules you can set without code, on Mac or Windows.

Frequently asked questions

How do I switch from Finicky 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.
Do I need to write code to use Switchbar?: No. Switchbar rules are set in its settings or right from the picker: match a URL, domain, or email address with wildcards and choose where it opens.
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.