1
Also covers desktop customization and open source · same kind of open-source project
ExplorerBlurMica adds background blur or acrylic Mica effects to Windows Explorer on Windows 10 and 11.
Alternatives
The Best QTTabBar Alternatives in 2026
24 alternatives0 free · 24 open source
Looking for something like QTTabBar? Here are 24 alternatives, ranked by how closely they match it on purpose, features and platforms. Of these, 24 are open source.
QTTabBar adds tabbed folder browsing to Windows Explorer for navigating multiple locations in one window.
Top picks at a glance
First suggestionExplorerBlurMicaExplorerBlurMica adds background blur or acrylic Mica…Another optionWin Set ViewWinSetView sets folder views globally in Windows Explorer…
Quick comparison
| # | Alternative | Pricing | Open source | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ExplorerBlurMica | — | Yes | Windows |
| 2 | Win Set View | — | Yes | — |
| 3 | SuperPaper | — | Yes | Linux, macOS, Windows |
| 4 | Burn My Windows | — | Yes | Windows |
| 5 | Forge | — | Yes | — |
| 6 | FluentFlyout | — | Yes | Web, Windows |
| 7 | MicaForEveryone | — | Yes | Windows |
| 8 | ExplorerPatcher | — | Yes | Windows |
| 9 | TranslucentTB | — | Yes | Windows |
| 10 | GUI | — | Yes | Linux, Windows |
All QTTabBar alternatives
2
Also covers desktop customization and open source · same kind of open-source project
WinSetView sets folder views globally in Windows Explorer; its project warns about an unrelated fake website.
3
Also covers desktop customization and open source · same kind of open-source project
Superpaper manages wallpapers across multiple monitors on Linux and Windows, with partial support for macOS.
4
Also covers desktop customization and open source · same kind of open-source project
Burn My Windows adds window animations that visually disintegrate windows when they open or close.
5
Also covers desktop customization and open source · same kind of open-source project
Forge adds window tiling and management controls to the GNOME Shell desktop.
6
Also covers desktop customization and open source
FluentFlyout adds media controls and a taskbar widget to Windows 11, with a flyout for playback controls.
7
Also covers desktop customization and open source · same kind of open-source project
Mica For Everyone enables backdrop effects on Win32 application title bars in Windows 11.
8
Also covers desktop customization and open source · same kind of open-source project
ExplorerPatcher modifies the Windows environment, according to its project description.
9
Also covers desktop customization and open source · same kind of open-source project
A lightweight utility that makes the Windows taskbar translucent/transparent.
10
Also covers desktop customization and open source · same kind of open-source project
Catppuccinifier recolors wallpapers using a command-line or graphical interface on Linux and Windows.
11
Also covers desktop customization and open source · same kind of open-source project
WinDynamicDesktop brings macOS Mojave-style dynamic desktop wallpapers to Windows, with themes and scheduling.
12
Also covers desktop customization and open source · same kind of open-source project
BeautySearch changes the appearance of the Windows 10 search interface.
13
Also covers desktop customization and open source · same kind of open-source project
AutoWall displays live wallpapers on Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11 using an open-source wallpaper engine.
14
Also covers desktop customization and open source · same kind of open-source project
msstyleEditor edits Windows visual style files and lets users modify listed components and properties.
15
Also covers desktop customization and open source · same kind of open-source project
AeroThemePlasma offers a KDE Plasma shell with a design based on the Windows 7 desktop.
16
Also covers desktop customization and open source · same kind of open-source project
MacType improves Windows font rendering through an application that changes how text appears across the system.
17
Also covers desktop customization and open source · same kind of open-source project
RetroBar replaces the modern Windows taskbar with classic styles from Windows 95 through Vista.
18
Also covers desktop customization and open source · same kind of open-source project
Aerial brings an Apple TV-style screensaver to Windows computers, according to its project description.
19
Also covers desktop customization and open source · same kind of open-source project
SecureUxTheme patches Windows theme verification in memory to allow unsigned styles without modifying system files.
20
Also covers desktop customization and open source · same kind of open-source project
ExcelDarkThemeFix adjusts Microsoft Excel’s appearance when a custom Windows theme is active.
21
Also covers desktop customization and open source · same kind of open-source project
Arrange desktop windows as leaves in a binary tree with bspwm, a tiling window manager that responds to X events.
22
Also covers desktop customization and open source · same kind of open-source project
MechvibesDX rewrites the Mechvibes keyboard sound app in Rust and Dioxus.
23
Also covers desktop customization and open source · same kind of open-source project
SwayFX extends the Sway compositor with visual effects through changes to its rendering layer.
24
Also covers desktop customization and open source · same kind of open-source project
AccentColorizer recolors Win32 controls in memory using an accent color without patching theme files.
No alternatives match this filter.
Alternatives to similar tools
MicaForEveryone24 alternativesExplorerPatcher24 alternativesExplorerBlurMica24 alternativesSuperPaper24 alternativesWinDynamicDesktop24 alternativesBurn My Windows24 alternatives
What is the best alternative to QTTabBar?
Based on features, tags and platforms, the closest alternatives to QTTabBar are ExplorerBlurMica, Win Set View, and SuperPaper.
Are there open-source alternatives to QTTabBar?
Yes: ExplorerBlurMica, Win Set View, SuperPaper, and Burn My Windows.
Alternatives are suggested from the purpose and features described in our listings. Different pages for the same product appear once. Read each description to check whether it fits your task. How we choose alternatives · Suggest an alternative