Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

bug.n VS TotalSpaces

Compare bug.n VS TotalSpaces and see what are their differences

bug.n logo bug.n

Provide views (i. e. virtual desktops) for showing only those windows, which you need to do your work..

TotalSpaces logo TotalSpaces

TotalSpaces provides a grid of spaces on OSX Lion
  • bug.n Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-04
  • TotalSpaces Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-20

bug.n features and specs

  • Tiling Window Management
    bug.n provides efficient tiling capabilities similar to those found in Linux-based tiling window managers, which can significantly enhance productivity by organizing windows in a non-overlapping manner.
  • Customizability
    The software allows for extensive customization of window layouts, key bindings, and other settings, making it adaptable to individual workflow preferences.
  • Lightweight
    bug.n is a lightweight tool, meaning it has minimal impact on system performance and memory usage compared to more resource-intensive window management solutions.
  • Free and Open Source
    As an open-source project, bug.n is free to use, and its source code is accessible for modifications, allowing users to contribute to its development or tailor it to specific needs.

Possible disadvantages of bug.n

  • Steep Learning Curve
    New users might find bug.n challenging to set up and use effectively, especially if they are not familiar with the concepts of tiling window managers.
  • Limited Windows Integration
    While bug.n brings tiling window management to Windows, it may not integrate as smoothly with all Windows applications and can sometimes cause unexpected behaviors with certain programs.
  • Community Support
    Being a niche tool, the user community and support resources for bug.n are relatively limited compared to more mainstream software, which can make troubleshooting issues more difficult.
  • Potential Compatibility Issues
    bug.n may encounter compatibility issues with certain versions of Windows or other system utilities, requiring additional configuration or workaround solutions.

TotalSpaces features and specs

  • Improved Grid Layout
    TotalSpaces allows users to organize their desktops in a grid layout, providing a more intuitive and flexible way to manage multiple workspaces compared to the default linear setup in macOS.
  • Efficient Navigation
    The software enables quicker navigation between desktops using keyboard shortcuts and the ability to jump directly to specific spaces, improving productivity for users who manage many tasks.
  • Customizability
    Users can customize transitions and animations between desktops, as well as labeling each desktop for better organization and workflow management.
  • Compatibility with Mission Control
    TotalSpaces complements macOS' native Mission Control features, offering additional functionality without replacing the existing system entirely.

Possible disadvantages of TotalSpaces

  • Limited macOS Compatibility
    TotalSpaces is not compatible with the most recent versions of macOS, which limits its usability for users who have updated their operating systems.
  • Potential Stability Issues
    Some users report occasional crashes or stability issues, particularly on systems with lots of active applications or high resource demands.
  • Learning Curve
    New users might face a learning curve as they adjust to the interface and capabilities of TotalSpaces, which might slow down initial productivity.
  • Dependence on Third-Party Software
    Relying on a third-party application like TotalSpaces is a downside for users who prefer sticking to the native macOS ecosystem for integration and support reasons.

bug.n videos

Bug.n: Dynamic Tiling Window Manager for Windows 10

More videos:

  • Review - Bug.n : Install, configuration, status bar, settings :☜(゚ヮ゚☜)

TotalSpaces videos

DIGITALYCHEE REVIEW: TotalSpaces for Mac

More videos:

  • Review - TotalSpaces · Gestiona los escritorios de tu Mac de manera eficiente
  • Tutorial - TotalSpaces2 & Screens - Mini Video Tutorial

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to bug.n and TotalSpaces)
Image Optimisation
68 68%
32% 32
Note Taking
55 55%
45% 45
Cloud Computing
0 0%
100% 100
OS & Utilities
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using bug.n and TotalSpaces. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, bug.n should be more popular than TotalSpaces. It has been mentiond 9 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.

bug.n mentions (9)

  • Somehow AutoHotKey is kinda good now
    There is even a dwm-style extremely comprehensive tiling window manager called bug.n [1], which I downloaded it way back in windows 8 days. Made a lot of changes myself and plan to open source it as a fork. Its too good. And combined with the rest of my AHK scripts, my windows setup turns out to be even more customised than many Linux systems I use. See my post of my windows setup fooling r/unixporn [2] for how it... - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • [Windows] Bester gekachelter Fenstermanager für Windows?
    Bug.n — Amongst other flavours is a dynamic, tiling window manager, which tries to clone the functionality of dwm. Source: about 2 years ago
  • is there any software that lets me open a scpecific number of programs in specific places on my screen?
    Another comment mentioned what you're looking for is a window manager: another for windows is bug.n. Source: about 2 years ago
  • How do you manage your git commits?
    So when I said "window manager based Linux" I was mostly referring to the stereotypes of the Linux window manager; which 1 person not even having a mouse; staring apps; moving windows doing everything with their keyboard. If you wanna look a bit more into window managers for windows the only "okay" one that I've personally used is bug.n and for Linux there's tons; but my personal fav is I3. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Show HN: AutoHotkey for Linux
    You can implement the wm manager of your dreams in ahk ... In like 500 lines. it's amazing stuff. You can also go all out: https://github.com/fuhsjr00/bug.n. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
View more

TotalSpaces mentions (6)

  • Ice - open source bar manager for macOS
    This utility allows it https://totalspaces.binaryage.com/ You hit a keyboard shortcut, you get to the new space with 0 animation/transition. It can work with SIP on but only on macOS older than 10.14. They mention here this is due to some changes they make to the Dock https://totalspaces.binaryage.com/sip-details I'm not sure if the only part I care about (instant Spaces switching) would continue to work without... - Source: Hacker News / 12 months ago
  • Considering MBPs and am not sure (moving from Arch Linux on Lenovo X1 Carbon Gen 7)
    There is a little confusion as most macOS users are not familiar with the difference between a window manager and a window tiling manager. There are a ton of great window manager (Magnet is still one of the common ones around which you brought up, but Mosaic is my favorite. Most window apps have all the same or similar features, but Mosaic includes some really advanced layout options that you can save and then... Source: over 2 years ago
  • Can anyone please identify this virtual space switching app? (From a YouTube video)
    Maybe it's a(n older) version of TotalSpaces? Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Total Spaces Alternatives Yet?
    After macOS ditched the 2D space switching for the 1D thing, I got Total Spaces 2 which allows me to do the 2D space switching again. I absolutely love it and find it difficult to use the primitive built-in spaces management. However, I'm still on Big Sur v11.6, specifically because Monterey is wholly incompatible with Total Spaces, you can't even hack it to work. Unfortunately, Total Spaces 3 isn't out yet, and... Source: about 3 years ago
  • A Beautiful List of Beautiful Apps
    I also use their TotalSpaces2[3] which is an amazing Spaces manager. Highly recommend it if you run a lot of concurrent apps and windows. Once again, it's limited to <12.0 and Intel-only Macs, but they have a TotalSpaces3 in alpha they are working on trying to release at some point. Source: over 3 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing bug.n and TotalSpaces, you can also consider the following products

VirtuaWin - VirtuaWin is a virtual desktop manager for the Windows operating system (Win9x/ME/NT/Win2K/XP/Win2003/Vista/Win7/Win10). A virtual desktop manager lets you organize applications over several virtual desktops (also called 'workspaces').

Cairo Shell - Cairo is a desktop environment for Windows.

Dexpot - If you don't have Dexpot yet, the new update makes it a must-have tool for Windows, adding a ton of features to your desktop that you never knew you wanted.

Sysinternals Desktops - Desktops allows you to organize your applications on up to four virtual desktops.

Emerge Desktop - Emerge Desktop is a replacement Windows "shell" (the desktop environment normally...

Virtuoz - Virtuoz was designed to be a minimal and robust program that allows to have more than one desktop...