TabControl vs Tab Space: Which Should You Choose?
An honest comparison of two popular Safari tab managers. We break down features, pricing, and use cases to help you decide.
Quick Verdict
Best for users who struggle with Safari's memory consumption. If you keep many tabs open and experience slowdowns, TabControl's suspension technology is unmatched.
Best for users who want tag-based organization and open source transparency. A mature, affordable option with a proven track record and 4.5+ star App Store rating.
Bottom line: Choose TabControl for memory optimization; choose Tab Space for tag organization and open source values.
Two Different Approaches to Tab Management
If you're searching for a Tab Space alternative or wondering which Safari tab manager deserves your attention in 2025, you've come to the right place. Both TabControl and Tab Space solve the universal problem of tab overload, but they take fundamentally different approaches.
Tab Space has been a staple in the Safari extension ecosystem since 2019, earning loyal fans with its tag-based workspace system, open source transparency, and wallet-friendly $2.99 price tag. With over five years of development and a 4.5+ star rating on the App Store, it's earned its reputation as a reliable choice.
TabControl takes a different path, focusing on what many power users consider Safari's biggest weakness: memory management. While it includes robust session management features, its standout capability is intelligent tab suspension that can dramatically reduce Safari's RAM footprint—something Tab Space doesn't attempt.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
A detailed look at what each extension offers
| Feature | TabControl | Tab Space |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free with premium options | $2.99 one-time |
| Tag-based Workspaces | ||
| Memory Management | ||
| Tab Suspension | ||
| Cross-browser Shortcuts | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Session Management | ||
| Modern UI Design | ||
| Real-time Memory Monitoring | ||
| Auto-suspend Inactive Tabs | ||
| Whitelist Domains | ||
| App Store Presence |
Where Tab Space Wins
Credit where it's due—Tab Space has earned its reputation
Our honest take: Tab Space is a solid, mature product that has rightfully earned its place in the Safari ecosystem. At $2.99 with open source transparency, it represents genuine value for users who prioritize tag-based organization.
Where TabControl Wins
The features that set TabControl apart
Intelligent Memory Optimization
TabControl's flagship feature is intelligent tab suspension that can reduce Safari's memory footprint by up to 80%. Tab Space doesn't offer any memory management capabilities.
Auto-suspend Technology
Set it and forget it. TabControl automatically suspends tabs after configurable inactivity periods, keeping your Mac responsive without manual intervention.
Modern, Intuitive Interface
Built with contemporary design principles, TabControl offers a clean, modern UI that feels native to macOS. Manage tabs without visual clutter or complexity.
Real-time Performance Monitoring
See exactly how much memory you're saving with real-time monitoring. Track your memory usage reduction and understand the impact on system performance.
Longer Battery Life
Less memory usage means less power consumption. Users report 2-3 hours of additional battery life when using TabControl's suspension features.
Smart Whitelist Controls
Never accidentally suspend important tabs. Whitelist specific domains or tabs to keep email, dashboards, and monitoring tools always active.
The key difference: If Safari's memory consumption is causing problems for you—slowdowns, beach balls, battery drain—TabControl addresses that directly. Tab Space simply doesn't offer memory optimization features.
Who Should Choose Which?
The right tool depends on your priorities
- You prioritize tag-based organization over everything else
- You need cross-browser shortcuts to open tabs in Chrome or Firefox
- You prefer open source software and want to inspect the code
- You have minimal RAM concerns and a newer Mac with 16GB+
- You want a proven solution that's been around since 2019
Tab Space is available on the App Store
- Memory optimization is your primary concern
- You regularly keep 50+ tabs open and experience slowdowns
- You want your MacBook battery to last longer
- You prefer a modern, clean interface design
- You want automatic tab suspension without manual work
- You're tired of Safari's "webpage using significant memory" warnings
Get TabControl from the App Store
A Deeper Look at Each Extension
Tab Space: The Veteran Organizer
Launched in 2019, Tab Space has built a reputation as a reliable Safari companion. Its core philosophy centers on workspace organization—the idea that you should be able to save, categorize, and retrieve groups of tabs based on projects or contexts.
The tag-based system is Tab Space's defining feature. Rather than rigid folder hierarchies, you can assign multiple tags to saved sessions, allowing flexible retrieval. Working on a project that spans marketing and development? Tag it with both, and find it either way.
Tab Space's open source nature is another significant draw. The code is public, which means security-conscious users can verify exactly what the extension does. For developers, it also means the ability to contribute improvements or fork the project.
TabControl: The Memory Optimizer
TabControl approaches tab management from a performance-first perspective. While it includes session management features comparable to Tab Space, its true innovation lies in addressing Safari's Achilles' heel: memory consumption.
Every open tab in Safari consumes RAM—typically 100-500MB per tab. With 20+ tabs, you could be using 10GB of memory just for your browser. TabControl's intelligent suspension technology identifies inactive tabs and suspends them, freeing memory while keeping the tabs visually present in your tab bar.
The auto-suspend feature is particularly powerful. Configure your preferred inactivity timeout, and TabControl handles the rest automatically. Tabs you haven't touched in 15 minutes? Suspended. Click on them, and they reload instantly. The result: 80% less memory usage without any manual intervention.
For power users who keep dozens or hundreds of tabs open, this isn't just convenient—it's transformative. The difference between a sluggish, beach-ball-prone Mac and a responsive system often comes down to memory management.
Common Questions
Can I use both extensions together?
Technically yes, but we wouldn't recommend it. Both extensions manage tabs, which could lead to conflicts. Choose the one that best fits your primary need.
Does Tab Space offer memory management?
No, Tab Space focuses on session organization and tagging. It doesn't include tab suspension or memory optimization features. If memory is your concern, TabControl is the better choice.
Does TabControl have tag-based organization?
TabControl focuses on sessions and memory management rather than tag-based workspaces. If tag organization is essential to your workflow, Tab Space may be a better fit.
Is Tab Space really $2.99 one-time?
Yes, Tab Space offers a straightforward one-time purchase model with no subscriptions or hidden fees. It's one of the most affordable Safari tab managers available.
How much memory can TabControl actually save?
Users typically see 60-80% reduction in Safari's memory footprint when tab suspension is active. The exact savings depend on how many tabs you keep open and their content complexity.
The Verdict
Both TabControl and Tab Space are quality Safari extensions that solve real problems. Tab Space has earned its loyal following through years of reliable service, open source transparency, and an organizational approach that resonates with many users.
TabControl offers something fundamentally different: a solution to Safari's memory problems. If you've ever watched your Mac slow to a crawl because Safari is consuming 10+ GB of RAM, if you've dismissed countless "this webpage is using significant memory" warnings, if your laptop battery drains faster than it should—TabControl addresses these issues directly.
Our recommendation: Try both. Tab Space's $2.99 price is minimal, and TabControl offers a free tier. See which approach better fits your workflow. For most users struggling with Safari performance, TabControl's memory optimization will be the more impactful choice. For those who love organizing everything with tags, Tab Space remains an excellent option.
Ready to Optimize Your Safari Experience?
Try TabControl free and see the difference intelligent memory management makes.
Free download with optional premium features