If you're switching from Windows or trying to manage slow or frozen apps on a MacBook Pro or MacBook Air, one question often arises: how to open the Task Manager on a Mac. macOS doesn’t label it the same way Windows does, but it offers a powerful equivalent for monitoring performance and ending unresponsive apps. This guide explains the Mac task manager equivalent, shortcuts, and better alternatives for 2026.
The Mac task manager equivalent is Activity Monitor. It is a built-in macOS utility that allows users to view running processes, monitor system resource usage, and force quit applications that are frozen or consuming too many resources. Activity Monitor performs many of the same functions as Windows Task Manager, including:
For users asking, “Is there a task manager equivalent for Mac?”, Activity Monitor is the direct answer.
While Activity Monitor and Windows Task Manager serve similar purposes, their interfaces and depth of control differ.
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Activity Monitor provides deeper insights into system health, but many users find it less intuitive than Windows Task Manager, which is why Activity Monitor alternatives are increasingly popular.
There are several ways to access Activity Monitor depending on your workflow preference.
This is the quickest and most commonly used method.
Press “Command + Space” to open Spotlight Search.
Type “Activity Monitor” and open it by pressing “Return”.
Useful if you prefer navigating through folders.
Open Finder and go to “Applications.
Open the “Utilities” folder and open Activity Monitor.
Ideal for users who rely on Launchpad.
Open Launchpad (renamed to Apps in macOS Tahoe update) from the Dock
Open the Other folder and click Activity Monitor
This method is best for users who frequently use Activity Monitor.
Open "Activity Monitor" with any of the above methods and right-click its dock icon.
Go to "Options" and click "Keep in Dock."
If you are still wondering where the task manager or Mac is, you can ask Siri to open it by saying, "Siri, Open Activity Monitor. For the terminal, follow the steps below:
Open Terminal and type the command: open -a "Activity Monitor".
Press Return to run the command and open it.
Keyboard shortcuts are essential for fast system control.
Shortcut: Command + Option + Esc (Mac version of Ctrl+Alt+Del)
When to use: To force quit a frozen application immediately.
Steps:
Press the shortcut on your keyboard
Select the frozen app and click “Force Quit."
Shortcut: Command + Space, then type Activity Monitor
When to use: The fastest way to open the Mac task manager equivalent.
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Some users need to create an activity monitor Mac shortcut, but don't know how to do it. So, this pro tip explains how you can do it effectively:
Go to System Settings, then "Keyboard" and open "Keyboard Shortcuts."
Select “App Shortcuts” to add a shortcut for Activity Monitor.
Assign a custom key combination that you want
Activity Monitor contains five main tabs:
Learning to read these tabs helps you manage performance proactively rather than reactively.
If you want to force quit apps with the easiest experience and most efficient usage, here is all you need to know as follows. If you wanna know more equivalents, please check: 7 Best Mac Activity Monitor Alternatives in 2026.
While Activity Monitor is powerful, it's not always user-friendly. Tenorshare Cleamio provides a modern Mac task manager alternative with simplified controls and built-in system optimization tools. It features a Mac Status Center for real-time monitoring of CPU, memory, disk, startup apps, and storage, plus one-click force quit for problematic apps.
Its intuitive interface allows instant CPU and memory release, making it ideal for beginners to optimize and debloat macOS. Cleamio also includes extras like junk cleanup, duplicate and large file removal, batch file renaming, complete app uninstallation with leftover cleanup, and application updates. Perfect for users seeking combined monitoring and performance optimization in one easy-to-use app.
After installing Cleamio on your Mac, click its status-bar icon and click “Details” on “Memory” or “CPU” sections.
Click "Remove" on the apps taking too much memory to quit them, and click "OK" to confirm.
Likewise, choose relevant module like “CPU, “Memory”, “Network”, or “Trash”, you can release CPU and memory usage, check network speed, and free up Trash.
Yes. Activity Monitor is the built-in Mac task manager equivalent.
Command + Option + Esc opens the Force Quit window.
Command + Q quits the active app.
Quit Activity Monitor like any other application using Command + Q.
Understanding how to open Task Manager on Mac, use the right Mac task manager shortcut, and manage system resources effectively is essential for smooth performance. While Activity Monitor is the default Mac task manager equivalent, it can feel complex for everyday users.
For a simpler, more powerful solution that combines monitoring, cleanup, and force quitting in one place, Tenorshare Cleamio is the recommended choice for 2026.
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Cleamio
All-in-One Mac Cleaner & Optimizer
Cleamio: All-in-One Mac Cleaner & Optimizer
Clean junk files, free up space, and boost Mac performance
No.1 Mac Cleaner & Optimizer
Clean, speed up, and optimize your Mac
By Jenefey Aaron
2026-02-08 / Mac Tips