Shift began as an app for juggling email and work accounts. Today it describes itself as a browser: a Chromium-based "power browser" with tabs, Spaces, and AI.
Singlebox stays focused on the original job: one window for your messaging, email, and work apps, while you keep the browser you already use.
At a glance
| Singlebox | Shift | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A dedicated desktop app for your messaging, email, and work apps | A Chromium-based "power browser" with apps, tabs, and AI |
| Platforms | macOS, Windows | macOS, Windows |
| Browsing and links | Links open in your default browser, or follow rules that send them to a specific profile | A full browser; Smart Links can open links in a matching app |
| Multiple accounts | Every app or account is its own profile with an isolated session | Multiple instances of an app, with cookies isolated between them |
| Organizing apps | One profile bar with folders, tabs and tab groups inside each app, and a command palette | Spaces, tabs, tab groups, anchor apps, and custom layouts |
| Adding apps | Pick from 65,000+ apps in the catalog or add any website | 1,500+ integrations, plus any website |
| Ad and tracker blocking | Built in, using uBlock Origin and EasyList filter lists | Built-in blocker, with Blocker Max as a paid add-on |
What is Singlebox?
Singlebox is a dedicated desktop app for your messaging, email, and work apps, on Mac and Windows. Every app or account is its own profile with an isolated session, so your inboxes and chats stay signed in side by side, each with its own unread badge. Links to other sites open in your regular browser.
What is Shift?
Shift is a customizable Chromium-based browser that combines apps, tabs, unified search, and AI. It's built for people who want to replace their current browser with one organized around their work accounts. This comparison is based on Shift 147.
1. Keep the browser you have
Shift asks you to move your browsing into it, with tab groups, bookmarks, Chrome extensions, and an AI-powered address bar. Singlebox doesn't compete with your browser. There is nothing to migrate: your bookmarks, extensions, and habits stay exactly where they are, and Singlebox simply takes your work apps off your tab bar.
2. A calmer place for work
Your inboxes and chats live in their own window with unread badges, away from the tabs you open while browsing, so it's easy to see what needs your attention. When you click a link to another site, it opens in your default browser.
3. Every account signed in
Both apps let you stay signed in to several accounts of the same service. Shift adds app instances inside Spaces and isolates cookies between them. In Singlebox, each app or account is a profile with its own isolated session, all in one profile bar, so switching between work and personal accounts takes one click.
4. Organization that stays light
Shift offers deeper layout tools, such as Spaces, anchor apps, and a layout builder. Singlebox keeps organization light, with folders for your profiles, tabs and tab groups inside each app, and a command palette to jump anywhere.
Moving from Shift
- Download Singlebox and sign in.
- Add your apps from the catalog, or paste any website's address.
- Sign in to each account. Every account gets its own profile, and you can keep using Shift until you're ready.
Which one should you choose?
Shift is still a good fit if you:
- Want a single browser for both browsing and work apps
- Rely on Chrome Web Store extensions beyond password managers
- Want unified search across your email, apps, and bookmarks, or AI built into the browser
- Want detailed layouts with Spaces, anchor apps, and templates
Singlebox is the better fit if you:
- Are happy with your current browser
- Want a dedicated, uncluttered home for the apps you keep open all day
- Want every account signed in, side by side
- Want organization that takes minutes, not an afternoon
Give your work apps a window of their own: try Singlebox for free.
