Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Direct Folders VS Rectangle

Compare Direct Folders VS Rectangle and see what are their differences

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Direct Folders logo Direct Folders

Access your folders from anywhere

Rectangle logo Rectangle

Window management app based on Spectacle, written in Swift.
  • Direct Folders Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-27
  • Rectangle Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-20

Direct Folders features and specs

  • Quick Access
    Direct Folders allows users to quickly access favorite and recently used folders, enhancing productivity by reducing navigation time.
  • File Dialog Enhancements
    It improves file dialog windows by providing additional options like setting default folder views and resizing dialogs automatically.
  • Customizable Hotkeys
    Users can assign hotkeys for quick folder access, making the workflow faster and more efficient.
  • Integration
    Seamlessly integrates with Windows Explorer and Open/Save dialogs across various applications, providing a consistent experience.
  • Preview Features
    Offers quick file previews directly in file dialogs, saving time in locating and selecting the correct files.

Possible disadvantages of Direct Folders

  • Limited Platform Support
    Direct Folders is primarily designed for Windows, limiting its use for individuals or teams using macOS or Linux environments.
  • Potential Compatibility Issues
    May encounter compatibility issues with certain software applications, especially those with custom file dialogs.
  • Learning Curve
    New users might experience a learning curve when customizing and navigating the software's features and settings.
  • Cost
    Although some functions are free, full features require a paid version, which might be a deterrent for budget-conscious users.
  • Resource Usage
    Uses additional system resources to operate in the background, which could affect overall system performance on lower-end machines.

Rectangle features and specs

  • 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 of Rectangle

  • 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 of Rectangle

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.

Direct Folders videos

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Rectangle videos

SKYWALKER RECTANGLE TRAMPOLINE REVIEW!!!

More videos:

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

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Direct Folders and Rectangle)
App Launcher
100 100%
0% 0
Mac Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Productivity
100 100%
0% 0
Window Manager
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Direct Folders and Rectangle

Direct Folders Reviews

We have no reviews of Direct Folders yet.
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Rectangle Reviews

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
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 Rectangle's shortcuts.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Rectangle seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 479 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.

Direct Folders mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Direct Folders yet. Tracking of Direct Folders recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Rectangle mentions (479)

  • 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 paste, etc. https://support.apple.com/en-au/102650#text 2. Karabiner elements (FOSS) fixes keyboard mappings outside of the Settings: https://karabiner-elements.pqrs.org/ 3. I have the... - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • Native Instant Space Switching on macOS
    Every macOS user uses Rectangle.app โ€” https://rectangleapp.com The ones who don't use it is because they donโ€™t know it exists. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • Native Instant Space Switching on macOS
    I use https://rectangleapp.com/ and enjoy it. I have shortcuts to move windows to the left/right half of the screen, and cycle between monitors. This, combined with native cmd+tab and cmd+` is enough for me. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • Make macOS consistently bad (unironically)
    Rectangle [1] is pretty much essential for me because of this. I use only a few keypresses (maximize window, move to one of the halves of the screen horizontally) but that is enough. My mouse very rately interacts with the borders of any window, or those buttons. I had to click on the green one that you mentioned in order to see what it did (yuck). [1] https://rectangleapp.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • Make macOS consistently bad (unironically)
    I use Rectangle [1] for window management. I only use three shortcuts: full screen, left half of the screen, and right half of the screen. My editors and chrome are always running in one of these modes. But for other apps like Messages, Notes, Music, etc - yeah I don't usually expand them to full screen. [1] https://rectangleapp.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Direct Folders and Rectangle, you can also consider the following products

Listary - Listary is a revolutionary search utility for Windows

Magnet Window Manager - Magnet Developers

Keypirinha - A lightning fast and flexible keystroke launcher for Windows. No installation required (portable).

yabai - A tiling window manager for macOS based on binary space partitioning

CSV Buddy - CSV Buddy helps you make your CSV files ready to be imported by a variety of software.

BTT Remote - A remote control for you Mac, using your iPhone or iPad