Velja is a polished, native browser picker for the Mac by Sindre Sorhus. It routes links to browsers, profiles, and native apps, with rules based on the app a link came from, JavaScript URL transforms, and deep macOS integration.
Switchbar covers the everyday essentials: choosing a browser, profile, or app, simple rules, and cleaner links. It's free, runs on both Mac and Windows, and speaks 30 languages.
At a glance
| Switchbar | Velja | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A free picker that opens every link in the right browser, profile, or app | A native browser picker for Mac |
| Platforms | macOS, Windows | macOS 26 or later; older versions for earlier macOS |
| Picker | Your favorite browsers, profiles, and apps in one row, centered or under your pointer, with keyboard shortcuts | A horizontal prompt with letter or number shortcuts, optionally shown only while you hold Fn |
| Browser profiles | Any profile, including Safari profiles, plus Incognito and InPrivate windows | Profiles in Chromium browsers and Firefox, plus private windows |
| Desktop apps | Opens links in apps like Zoom, Figma, Spotify, and Notion, suggesting the matching app first | Opens links in about 26 native apps, such as Zoom, Figma, and Spotify |
| Rules | URL, domain, or email address with wildcards, set in a few clicks or from the picker | URL matching, source app, modifier keys, and JavaScript transforms |
| Link cleanup | Removes tracking parameters and expands short links, on by default | Expands short links and removes 200+ tracking parameters |
| Languages | 30 languages | English |
What is Switchbar?
Switchbar is a free browser picker for Mac and Windows. Make it your default browser, and every link you click shows a row of your favorite browsers, profiles, and apps. Choose with a click or a keystroke, and check "Remember this choice" to turn that decision into a rule. It needs no account.
What is Velja?
Velja is a sandboxed Mac app from the Mac App Store. It sends each link to the browser, profile, or native app you choose, with rules, JavaScript URL transforms, Shortcuts actions, and Focus filters. This comparison is based on Velja 3.
1. Free, on Mac and Windows
Velja is a Mac app, and its current version requires macOS 26, with older versions available for earlier macOS releases. Switchbar runs on both Mac and Windows with the same picker and rules, which helps if you use both.
2. Safari profiles included
Both apps open links in the right browser profile. Switchbar also opens links in Safari profiles, which Velja doesn't support, so your Work and Personal Safari profiles sit next to your other browsers in the picker.
3. The right app first
When a link belongs to a desktop app you have installed, Switchbar puts that app first in the picker. A Zoom invite or a Figma file is one click away.
4. In your language
Switchbar is available in 30 languages, from Japanese and Vietnamese to German and Spanish. Velja's interface is in English.
Clean links in both
Both apps expand short links and remove tracking parameters. Switchbar also unwraps Outlook Safe Links by default, so links from work email open where they actually point.
Moving from Velja
- Download Switchbar and make it your default browser.
- Pick your favorite browsers, profiles, and apps from the ones it finds.
- Add rules as you go by checking "Remember this choice" in the picker.
Which one should you choose?
Velja is still a good fit if you:
- Use the latest macOS and want a native app with deep system integration
- Want rules based on the app a link came from, or JavaScript URL transforms
- Automate with Shortcuts, Focus filters, or the share extension
Switchbar is the better fit if you:
- Want a free picker on Mac, Windows, or both
- Use Safari profiles
- Want to use it in your own language
- Prefer simple rules you can set from the picker
Pick the right browser for every link, on any computer: try Switchbar for free.
