Software Alternatives & Startups
Register | Login

BetterTouchTool VS Rectangle

Compare BetterTouchTool VS Rectangle and see what are their differences

BetterTouchTool

Nov 5, 2017 - BetterTouchTool is a great, feature packed app that allows you to configure many gestures for your Magic Mouse (1 & 2), Macbook Trackpad and Magic Trackpad (1 & 2) and also Mouse Gestures for normal mice.

Rating
0 reviews
Alternatives Is it good?
Rectangle

Window management app based on Spectacle, written in Swift.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
Alternatives Is it good?
ASocks
Clear, Fast & Unlimited. Residential & Mobile Proxies For Best Price. sponsored

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Rectangle seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 480 times since March 2021.

social mentions
0 vs 480
Window Manager popularity
11% vs 89%
alternatives listed
140 vs 240+

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

BetterTouchTool
Rectangle
Website boastr.net rectangleapp.com
Pricing —
Open source
Listed in
Window Manager Mac Tools OSX Tools OSX Window Manager +1
Mac Tools Window Manager Mac Developer Tools +1

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

BetterTouchTool 5 features
Rectangle 5 features
  • Customizability
    BetterTouchTool offers extensive customization options for touch gestures, keyboard shortcuts, and mouse actions, allowing users to tailor their input devices to their specific workflows.
  • Productivity Enhancement
    By enabling custom gestures and shortcuts, BetterTouchTool can significantly boost productivity, making it easier to perform complex tasks quickly.
  • Integration with Other Applications
    BetterTouchTool integrates well with a variety of applications, enabling seamless interactions and extended functionality across different software environments.
  • Advanced Features
    The tool includes advanced features like window snapping, advanced window management, and the ability to create custom actions and macros, offering a high level of control.
  • User Community and Support
    BetterTouchTool has an active user community and provides good support, which can be helpful for troubleshooting and discovering new uses for the tool.

Possible disadvantages

  • Learning Curve
    The extensive set of features and customization options can be overwhelming for new users, requiring a significant amount of time to learn and utilize effectively.
  • Performance Impact
    On some systems, BetterTouchTool may cause a noticeable performance impact, particularly when using complex or numerous custom gestures and shortcuts.
  • Cost
    While BetterTouchTool is reasonably priced, it is not free, which might be a drawback for users looking for a no-cost solution.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Occasionally, updates to macOS or third-party applications may lead to compatibility issues, requiring users to wait for patches or workarounds.
  • Resource Intensive
    For users with limited system resources, BetterTouchTool may consume a fair amount of memory and CPU, which can be problematic on older or less powerful machines.
  • Ease of Use
    Rectangle offers an intuitive user interface that makes window management straightforward and user-friendly.
  • Customizable Shortcuts
    Users can easily configure keyboard shortcuts to better suit their workflow, making window management faster and more efficient.
  • Free
    Rectangle is available for free, making it accessible to anyone without the need for a financial investment.
  • Frequent Updates
    The app receives regular updates, introducing new features and ensuring compatibility with the latest macOS versions.
  • Lightweight
    Rectangle is a lightweight application that doesn't consume many system resources, ensuring smooth performance even on older Macs.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Advanced Features
    Rectangle lacks some of the more advanced features found in paid window management applications, such as multiple monitor support and more complex window arrangements.
  • MacOS Only
    Rectangle is only available for macOS, so users of other operating systems are unable to take advantage of its features.
  • Occasional Bugs
    Some users report occasional bugs or unpredictable behavior, which might require troubleshooting or waiting for a future update.
  • Learning Curve for Shortcuts
    While customizable shortcuts are a benefit, there is an initial learning curve for users to memorize and effectively use these shortcuts.
  • Basic Aesthetic
    The app's design and aesthetic are quite basic, lacking the polish and visual appeal found in some other similar tools.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

BetterTouchTool
Rectangle

Overall verdict

  • Overall, BetterTouchTool is highly regarded by users who seek to customize their Mac experience. Its versatility and extensive feature set make it a valuable tool for power users and those who like to personalize their computing environment.

Why this product is good

  • BetterTouchTool is a popular macOS utility that enhances user productivity by allowing extensive customization of input devices like the Touch Bar, Magic Mouse, and trackpad. It offers powerful features such as custom gestures, keyboard shortcuts, and actions that can significantly streamline workflows.

Recommended for

  • Mac users who want to maximize efficiency and productivity through custom gestures and shortcuts.
  • Individuals who seek to customize their Touch Bar beyond default settings.
  • Tech enthusiasts who enjoy personalizing and tweaking their user interface to better suit their workflow.

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Rectangle is highly regarded for its ease of use, extensive customization options, and the fact that it is free and open-source. It provides essential functionality without unnecessary complexity, making it suitable for both casual users and power users who need efficient window management.

Why this product is good

  • Rectangle is a popular window management tool for macOS, known for its simplicity and ease of use. It allows users to efficiently organize and resize application windows using customizable keyboard shortcuts or by dragging windows into pre-defined areas of the screen. This can enhance productivity by minimizing the time spent arranging windows and improving multitasking capabilities.

Recommended for

    Rectangle is recommended for macOS users looking for a straightforward, lightweight solution to manage application windows. It is particularly beneficial for those who frequently work with multiple applications at once, including developers, designers, and anyone who values a tidy and organized desktop environment.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

BetterTouchTool 1 video + Add
Rectangle 3 videos + Add

BetterTouchTool 2.851: A Quick Overview

SKYWALKER RECTANGLE TRAMPOLINE REVIEW!!!

More videos

  • - Skywalker Rectangle Trampoline Review #1
  • - Marvin Malton 160 Rectangle Flying Hour Watch Review

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
BetterTouchTool
Rectangle
11% 11%
Window Manager
89% 89%
9% 9%
Mac Tools
91% 91%
20% 20%
OSX Tools
80% 80%
0% 0%
Mac
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using BetterTouchTool and Rectangle. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

Log in or Post with

Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

BetterTouchTool no reviews yet
Rectangle no reviews yet

We have no reviews of BetterTouchTool yet. Be the first one to post

  • Best 6 Mac Window Managers
    mackeeper.com · Sep 2023

    Rectangle shows that you don’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...

  • Top 6 Window Manager Apps for Mac
    www.maketecheasier.com · May 2023

    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 – such as BetterSnapTool, Magnet, and...

  • The 6 Best Mac Window Management Tools
    www.makeuseof.com · Apr 2023

    However, it might take some time for you to get used to the shortcuts in the Rectangle app since there are many. Furthermore, you can also add some of your apps to exceptions if you want to keep them away from...

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

BetterTouchTool 0 mentions
Rectangle 480 mentions

Tracking BetterTouchTool since Mar 2021.

  • Apple introduces M6 and M5 Ultra for a big leap in performance and AI compute
    Rectangle solved my macos window management annoyances. https://rectangleapp.com/ Not involved in dev of this, just a happy user. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 month ago
  • Ubuntu 26.04 LTS Released
    As a both old Linux and now decade user of MacOS, after I got used to no middle-click paste and no focus-follows-mouse: 1. Keyboard shortcuts are Emacs, Ctrl-A: start of line, E: end of line, K: kill selected or to end of line, Y to... - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • Native Instant Space Switching on macOS
    Every macOS user uses Rectangle.app — https://rectangleapp.com The ones who don't use it is because they don’t know it exists. - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago

View more

Alternatives to BetterTouchTool and Rectangle

When comparing BetterTouchTool and Rectangle, you can also consider the following products.

Loading...