Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Amethyst VS Magnet Window Manager

Compare Amethyst VS Magnet Window Manager and see what are their differences

Amethyst logo Amethyst

A tiling window manager for macOS

Magnet Window Manager logo Magnet Window Manager

Magnet Developers
Not present
  • Magnet Window Manager Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-27

Amethyst features and specs

  • Free and Open Source
    Amethyst is free to use and open source, which means you can inspect the code, contribute to its development, or modify it to suit your needs.
  • Window Tiling
    Amethyst provides automatic window tiling, which can significantly enhance productivity by organizing open applications without manual resizing.
  • Keyboard Shortcuts
    The application offers customizable keyboard shortcuts, allowing users to efficiently manage their window layout without relying on the mouse.
  • Customization
    Amethyst allows varying levels of customization, including different layout options, to match individual preferences for window management.
  • Lightweight
    The software is lightweight, ensuring it doesn't use unnecessary system resources, which helps keep performance impacts minimal.

Possible disadvantages of Amethyst

  • MacOS Only
    Amethyst is only available for macOS, which limits its usability to users who are on Apple's ecosystem.
  • Learning Curve
    For users not familiar with tiling window managers, there may be a learning curve in becoming efficient with Amethyst.
  • Limited Advanced Features
    While Amethyst is great for basic window tiling, it may lack some advanced features found in other dedicated tiling managers.
  • Potential Compatibility Issues
    Some users may experience compatibility issues with specific applications, which may not behave well when tiled automatically.
  • Complex Configuration
    Setting up and configuring Amethyst to perfectly match personal workflows might require editing configuration files, which can be complex for some users.

Magnet Window Manager features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    Magnet offers a user-friendly interface that allows users to easily snap windows to various parts of the screen using simple drag-and-drop gestures or keyboard shortcuts.
  • Productivity
    By enabling users to organize multiple windows efficiently, Magnet enhances productivity, especially for those who multitask or need to manage numerous applications simultaneously.
  • Customizability
    The app provides customizable keyboard shortcuts, allowing users to tailor the application to fit their workflow and preferences.
  • Compatibility
    Magnet works seamlessly with a wide variety of macOS applications, ensuring that window management features are consistently available.
  • Affordability
    Magnet is relatively inexpensive, making it an accessible option for users who need advanced window management without breaking the bank.

Possible disadvantages of Magnet Window Manager

  • Limited Advanced Features
    While Magnet is excellent for basic window management, it may lack some advanced features that power users might find in more comprehensive window management tools.
  • No Free Version
    Magnet does not offer a free version. Users must purchase the app, which might be a drawback for those looking for cost-free solutions.
  • MacOS Only
    Magnet is exclusively available for macOS, limiting its usefulness for users who also operate on other platforms such as Windows or Linux.
  • Occasional Bugs
    Some users have reported occasional bugs or glitches, especially following macOS updates, which can disrupt the user experience until patched.
  • Minimal User Interface
    The minimalistic design of the user interface, while clean, may not provide as much visual feedback or customization options as some users might prefer.

Analysis of Magnet Window Manager

Overall verdict

  • Magnet Window Manager generally receives positive reviews for its user-friendly interface and effective functionality. It is widely considered a good choice for Mac users seeking a window management solution.

Why this product is good

  • Magnet Window Manager is known for its ability to help users organize their workspace by allowing them to quickly and easily arrange open applications using customizable shortcuts. It improves productivity, especially for users who work with multiple windows and require an efficient way to manage their desktop space.

Recommended for

    This application is recommended for professionals, students, or any users who frequently handle multiple applications or documents at the same time and need a streamlined way to manage their desktop layout on a Mac system.

Amethyst videos

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Magnet Window Manager videos

Review: Magnet window manager for OS X

More videos:

  • Review - Magnet Window Manager for Mac Review - #AgencyToolbox

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Amethyst and Magnet Window Manager)
Window Manager
10 10%
90% 90
OSX Tools
9 9%
91% 91
Mac Tools
10 10%
90% 90
Productivity
9 9%
91% 91

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Amethyst and Magnet Window Manager

Amethyst Reviews

Best 6 Mac Window Managers
Until Apple brings better window management to Macs, these third-party tools are the best way to improve organization and productivity. Most of them let you snap windows into position by dragging them to the edge of your displayโ€”similar to the window snapping found in Microsoft Windows. But others, like Amethyst, Mosaic, and Moom, offer some interesting alternatives....
Source: mackeeper.com
The 6 Best Mac Window Management Tools
If you don't like to drag and drop windows to arrange them all the time, you should try Amethyst. Amethyst has predefined layouts that you can cycle through a keyboard shortcut, which is, by default, Option + Shift + Space bar.

Magnet Window Manager Reviews

Top 10 Productivity Apps for MacOSย 2025
Magnet is one of those apps that you dont think about but if someone removed it from your laptop, it wouldnt take long to realise. It brings proper window snapping to macOS. While Mac has basic tools, Magnet makes it fast and effortless to snap windows into halves, quarters, or thirds with simple shortcuts or drag actions. Itโ€™s clean, lightweight, and does exactly what it...
Source: dev.to
Best 6 Mac Window Managers
Rectangle shows that you donโ€™t need to dip into your bank account to get window resizer tools. This free Mac window manager lets you manage multiple windows using keyboard shortcuts, menu options, or by dragging and dropping. Just like Magnet, you can split your screen up into quarters, thirds, or halves.
Source: mackeeper.com
Top 6 Window Manager Apps for Mac
Most window manager apps for Mac support multiple monitors. They can help you move windows between screens and create custom layouts for each monitor. Many window manager apps โ€“ such as BetterSnapTool, Magnet, and Rectangle โ€“ offer this functionality.
The 6 Best Mac Window Management Tools
Magnet supports up to six external displays in different orientations, including vertical orientation. You can get Magnet from the App Store for a $7.99 one-time fee, which is pretty reasonable, especially if you miss Windows 11's Snap feature.
Moom vs Magnet vs Spectacle
There are some tools to improve this on macOS. The two I have tried are Moom and Magnet. And lastly I tried Rectangle as well. They are very similar in the way that they intend to solve the same problem, but they differ in some essential parts.
Source: medium.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Magnet Window Manager seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 69 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Amethyst mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Amethyst yet. Tracking of Amethyst recommendations started around Mar 2024.

Magnet Window Manager mentions (69)

  • Ask HN: What is your window management solution?
    I use laptop only and Magnet to arrange things on my screen: https://magnet.crowdcafe.com. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • Ask HN: Anyone know workarounds to MacBook Air M2 missing dual-monitor support?
    * a cheap USB-C to (Mini-)Display port adapter will allow you to drive two monitors and the laptop panel simultaneously. I have no problem driving the Ultrawide at 3440x1440@100Hz via HDMI and/or Displayport , though without the convenience of USB-C/Thunderbolt. [1] https://magnet.crowdcafe.com. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Little macOS Apps That Make a Big Difference in 2024
    Adding my must haves: - DisplayBuddy: a more modern alternative to BetterDisplay to control monitors (https://displaybuddy.app) - Magnet: the simplest and best window manager (https://magnet.crowdcafe.com) - DaisyDisk: fantastic way to visualise your disk usage and free up space (https://daisydiskapp.com). - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • Recommend apps for learning Macbook hotkeys and shortcuts coming from a Windows background.
    Third-party window management apps like Magnet and Rectangle. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • A collection of useful Mac Apps
    Magnet - Price: Free Window manager for macOS that allows you to easily resize and arrange windows on your Mac. Source: about 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Amethyst and Magnet Window Manager, you can also consider the following products

Moom - Move your mouse over the green zoom button in any window, and Moom's mouse control overlay will appear (as seen in the above animation).

Rectangle - Window management app based on Spectacle, written in Swift.

Hammerspoon - This is a tool for powerful automation of OS X.

Swish - Insanely great window management

Spectacle App - Move and resize windows with ease.

SizeUp - SizeUp allows you to quickly resize and position your windows with keyboard shortcuts or a handy menu bar icon. Arranging windows on Mac OS X is tedious and imprecise.