Frequently asked questions
Straight answers to the questions people actually ask about DockDuck. For deeper detail, every answer links back to the docs.
Does DockDuck replace Finder as the default file manager?
Yes, for folders: turn on "Open folders in DockDuck" in Settings and double-clicking a folder opens it in DockDuck instead of Finder. The Desktop and the Dock remain Finder, because macOS does not allow replacing those. You can turn it off at any time.
Is DockDuck a subscription?
No. You can buy a Pro Lifetime license for $49 once, which includes all future updates, or Pro Annual at $24.99 per year renewed manually — there is no auto-charge. Either way you start with a 14-day free trial, no credit card required.
Does DockDuck work with SMB, SFTP, WebDAV and FTP?
Yes. DockDuck connects to SFTP, SMB, WebDAV and FTP servers out of the box, browses them like local folders, and transfers files with the same progress panel as local operations. Credentials are stored in the macOS Keychain on your Mac.
Does DockDuck upload my files anywhere?
No. DockDuck is local-first: your folders, file names and file contents never leave your Mac for our servers. The only network activity is the account and licensing handshake, an optional off-by-default anonymous diagnostics toggle, and connections you initiate yourself to your own remote servers.
Which macOS versions does DockDuck support?
DockDuck requires macOS 15 (Sequoia) or later and ships as a universal binary, so it runs natively on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.
Can I use one license on multiple Macs?
A DockDuck license covers up to 3 Macs at the same time. It lives in your account, not in a key file, so adding a Mac is just signing in there; if you sign in on a fourth, the Mac you’ve used least recently is signed out automatically. No license key to find or transfer.
Is DockDuck an Electron app?
No. DockDuck is written entirely in Swift with Apple’s native frameworks (AppKit and SwiftUI), with zero third-party dependencies — no Electron, no web views. That is why it launches instantly and stays light on memory and battery.
What is the difference between Lifetime and Annual?
Both unlock the same Pro features. Pro Lifetime is $49 paid once and includes every future update with no expiry. Pro Annual is $24.99 for one year of updates, renewed manually if you want to keep receiving new versions — never auto-charged.
How does the free trial work?
Every new account gets a 14-day Pro trial with every feature unlocked and no credit card required. The trial is tied to your account on our server, so it survives reinstalling the app — and equally, it cannot be reset by reinstalling.
How do I activate DockDuck after buying?
Download the app and sign in with the email you used to purchase — your license is recognized automatically. There is no license key to paste. On a new Mac, the same sign-in restores your purchase.
What archive formats can DockDuck create and extract?
DockDuck compresses to ZIP, 7-Zip, tar.gz and tar.xz, and extracts those plus more — including RAR — using the archiving tools built into macOS, with no extra software to install. Compression and extraction run in the background and are undoable.
Is there a refund policy?
Yes: a 14-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked. Details are on the refund policy page, and refunds are handled through Lemon Squeezy, the payment provider.
What languages is DockDuck available in?
DockDuck is localized in 14 languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Dutch, Swedish, Danish, Japanese, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese and Russian. The app follows your macOS system language automatically.