Comparison

Looking for Dash on Mobile?

Dash set the standard for offline documentation on macOS. DocNative brings that same capability to mobile—available natively on both iOS and Android.

Background

What is Dash?

Dash is a well-regarded documentation browser for macOS, created by Kapeli. It pioneered the concept of downloading documentation sets (docsets) for offline access, with fast local search and IDE integrations.

For Mac-based developers, Dash remains an excellent choice. The challenge arises when you need documentation access on mobile devices or on Android.

DocNative addresses this gap. We built a mobile-first documentation app with the same offline-first philosophy—download once, access anywhere, search instantly.

Dash
macOS + iOS companion
DocNative
iOS + Android native
Side by Side

Feature Comparison

Feature DocNative DashDevDocsZeal
Platform Support
Native Android App
Native iOS App
macOS App
Windows/Linux Desktop
Offline Capability
Full Offline AccessPartial
Offline Search
Local Storage
Features
TLDR Command Pages
AI-Powered Search
Code Syntax Highlighting
Bookmarks & Favorites
Dark Mode
Pricing
PriceFree / £7.99/yr$30FreeFree
Free TrialN/AN/A
Why Mobile

Built for Mobile-First Workflows

Desktop documentation browsers assume you're at your workstation. Modern development happens everywhere—on the train, at a coffee shop, during a flight.

DocNative is designed from the ground up for touch interfaces and smaller screens. The reading experience is optimized for mobile viewports. Navigation works with gestures. Search is fast enough to query while context-switching between apps.

  • Touch-optimized navigation for phones and tablets
  • Adjustable typography for comfortable reading
  • Instant search without keyboard shortcuts
  • Works on both platforms—iOS and Android
iOS
iPad
Android

When to Use Each

Choose Dash When...

  • Your primary development machine is a Mac
  • You want IDE integration (Xcode, VS Code plugins)
  • You prefer one-time purchase over subscription
  • Desktop documentation access is sufficient

Choose DocNative When...

  • You need documentation on Android
  • You want full mobile access without a Mac
  • TLDR command pages would speed up your workflow
  • You travel frequently and code on mobile
  • You prefer trying before committing (7-day trial)
[ FAQ ]

Frequently Asked Questions

Try the Mobile Alternative

Try DocNative free with 2 documentation sources. No credit card required to start.