vs
Muzzle
PeekFocus · A complement to Muzzle, not a replacement
PeekFocus vs Muzzle
Muzzle is the right tool for one specific anxiety: notifications popping up while you're screen-sharing. PeekFocus solves a different problem — too many windows competing for attention while you work. They live in the same family of "calm Mac tools," but they don't replace each other.
At a glance
| PeekFocus | Muzzle | |
|---|---|---|
| Problem solved | Background windows distract you | Notifications appear during screen share |
| When it activates | Whenever you want — keystroke | Auto-detects screen sharing |
| Pricing | $4.99 one-time, 7-day trial | Free |
| Mac App Store | Yes, sandboxed | Direct download |
| Overlap with each other | None — different problems | None — different problems |
Where the confusion comes from
Both promise a quieter Mac
Muzzle and PeekFocus both market themselves as making your Mac feel calmer, so they show up in the same searches. But they're solving genuinely different problems — and the honest version of this comparison is to say so.
What Muzzle actually does
It hides notifications during screen share
When Muzzle detects you're sharing your screen (in Zoom, Meet, Teams, etc.), it suppresses incoming notifications so embarrassing texts don't pop up in front of your audience. That's its whole job, and it does it well — for free.
PeekFocus has nothing to say about notifications. macOS's built-in Focus modes do that better than any third-party tool can.
What PeekFocus does
It dims or blurs background windows
While you work — screen-sharing or not — PeekFocus de-emphasizes windows you're not actively using. Three modes (Standard, Ambience, Focus), one keystroke. The point is fewer things visually competing for your attention while you write, code, or read.
Pick the right one — or both
Which should you choose?
Choose Muzzle if your specific anxiety is notifications during screen-sharing. It's the right tool, and it's free.
Choose PeekFocus if your specific anxiety is too many windows demanding attention while you work.
Choose both — they don't conflict.
FAQ
Does PeekFocus block notifications?
No. macOS's built-in Focus modes handle that. Use Muzzle for screen-share-specific blocking, or macOS Focus modes for general DND.
Can I run PeekFocus and Muzzle together?
Yes — they don't overlap.
What does PeekFocus actually do?
Dims or blurs background windows so the active one feels like the only one.
Is PeekFocus free?
$4.99 once on the Mac App Store, with a 7-day free trial.
Different problems, both real
If notifications during screen share are your worry, install Muzzle. If background windows pull your attention, PeekFocus is built for that.