Top Fluid Alternatives for Mac Users and Beyond

Are you a long-time user of Fluid, the Mac OS X application that turns your favorite web apps into dedicated desktop applications? Perhaps you're a Gmail, Facebook, Campfire, or Pandora fanatic tired of countless browser tabs and the risk of losing data due to a browser crash. Fluid has been a go-to solution for creating Site Specific Browsers (SSBs), giving your WebApps a home on your Mac OS X desktop. However, as software evolves, so does the need for powerful, efficient, and sometimes cross-platform alternatives. If you're looking to explore other options that offer similar functionality or even more advanced features, you've come to the right place. We'll dive into the best Fluid alternative options available today.

Best Fluid Alternatives

Whether you're seeking a more unified inbox, better cross-platform compatibility, or enhanced security features, there's a Fluid alternative out there for you. Here's a curated list of top contenders that can streamline your web app experience and boost your productivity.

Shift

Shift is an excellent Fluid alternative, serving as a powerful workstation for productive individuals. It allows you to manage multiple email accounts (Gmail, Outlook.com - Office 365) and integrate various web apps and extensions, offering a unified search and quick switching using hotkeys. Available on Freemium, Mac, Windows, and Linux, Shift is ideal for those seeking a consolidated workspace with features like Unified search, Multiple Account support, Cross account search, Extensions, and deep integration with Google Apps, Google Drive, and Salesforce.

Station

Station is another strong Fluid alternative, designed as a smart workstation for busy people, consolidating all your web applications into a single place. This Freemium application supports Mac, Windows, and Linux. Its key features include Ad-free browsing, extensive App integration, Program Launchers, Live Push Notifications, Messaging capabilities, and Team messaging, making it a robust solution for organizing your digital workflow.

GNOME Web

For Linux and BSD users, GNOME Web (formerly Epiphany) is a compelling open-source Fluid alternative based on the WebKit engine. It offers a simple, clean interface for web browsing and includes features like a Built-in Ad-blocker, Integrated PDF Viewer, lightweight design, Mouse gestures, and the ability to Place websites on desktop, offering a more integrated feel for web apps within the GNOME desktop environment.

WebCatalog

WebCatalog offers a direct Fluid alternative experience, allowing you to transform any web app into a desktop application (Site-Specific Browser) with enhanced features. This Freemium and open-source solution is available on Mac, Windows, and Linux. Notable features include Browser based functionality, a Browser extension, Browser Protection, Cross browser support, Cross-platform compatibility, Multiple Profiles, Separated workspaces, and the ability to Place websites on desktop.

Shift

This entry for Shift reiterates its position as a top Fluid alternative, particularly for those heavily reliant on email and associated apps. As a Freemium application for Mac, Windows, and Linux, it streamlines navigation between Mail, Calendar, Drive, and favorite Apps & Extensions for Gmail, Outlook.com, and Office 365. Its robust feature set includes Unified search, Multiple Account support, Quick switching, a Unified inbox, Android Sync, and comprehensive integrations with Google Apps, Drive, and Salesforce.

Web2Desk

Web2Desk provides a simple, free Fluid alternative for converting your favorite websites into desktop apps with just one click. It supports Mac, Windows, and Linux, ensuring broad compatibility. Its key features are focused on creating seamless Desktop applications that can be updated, making it a straightforward choice for users looking for basic SSB functionality without complex features.

Coherence

Coherence is a commercial Fluid alternative specifically for Mac and Chrome users, built upon Google Chrome. It excels at turning websites into dedicated apps, similar to Fluid. Its primary features revolve around being Web Browsers Based on Chromium and allowing users to Place websites on desktop, offering a familiar experience for Chrome power users.

Applicationize

Applicationize offers a seamless, free, and open-source Fluid alternative experience, converting web apps into desktop apps with dedicated launcher icons. While primarily for Chrome OS, its nature as a Google Chrome Extension and Web-Based tool makes it a good option for users within that ecosystem who want to create SSBs.

Website 2 APK Builder

For developers or users specifically looking to convert web content into Android apps, Website 2 APK Builder is a unique Freemium Fluid alternative for Windows. It allows you to transform HTML, CSS, JS, and other web content into an Android App within seconds, with a feature for Page refresh.

Firework

Firework by Startpack is a free Fluid alternative available for Mac, Windows, and Linux, simplifying work with web services by providing an Integrated Web Browser. It offers Live Push Notifications, supports Multiple languages, Multiple Account support, and features a Tabbed interface, making it a versatile tool for managing web applications.

Ultimately, the best Fluid alternative for you will depend on your specific needs, whether that's cross-platform compatibility, advanced integration with other services, open-source preference, or a more simplified approach to creating dedicated web apps. Explore these options to find the perfect fit for your digital workflow.