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Empathy VS Rectangle

Compare Empathy VS Rectangle and see what are their differences

Empathy

Apps/Empathy - GNOME Wiki!

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?
HTMLCSS to Image API
Capture website screenshots, render HTML/CSS, or create templated graphics. Render images or PDFs. Use MCP with AI, no-code automation, or the REST API. No browsers needed. sponsored
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

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
Group Chat & Notifications popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

Empathy
Rectangle
Website wiki.gnome.org rectangleapp.com
Pricing —
Open source
Listed in
Communication Messaging Group Chat & Notifications Instant Messaging +1
Mac Tools Window Manager Mac Developer Tools +1

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Empathy 5 features
Rectangle 5 features
  • Integration
    Empathy offers seamless integration with other GNOME applications, making it a core part of the GNOME desktop environment.
  • Protocol Support
    Empathy supports a wide range of messaging protocols, including XMPP, Google Talk, Facebook, and MSN, providing versatility in communication.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The application has a clean and easy-to-navigate interface, which simplifies the experience for users who are not technically inclined.
  • Unified Messaging
    By consolidating multiple chat protocols into a single interface, it reduces the need for multiple messaging applications.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source application, Empathy allows for community-driven improvements, transparency, and customizability.

Possible disadvantages

  • Development Status
    Empathy's development has slowed down, and it has received much fewer updates in recent years, making its long-term viability uncertain.
  • Limited Features
    Compared to modern messaging apps, Empathy lacks many advanced features like end-to-end encryption, video calling, and file sharing.
  • Stability Issues
    Users have reported occasional crashes and bugs, which can be frustrating and disrupt communication.
  • Resource Usage
    The application can be resource-heavy, consuming a significant amount of system memory and CPU, which may slow down older machines.
  • Dated Interface
    The user interface feels outdated and does not offer the sleek and modern aesthetic that many contemporary messaging applications provide.
  • 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.

Empathy
Rectangle

Overall verdict

  • Empathy was considered a robust and practical messaging solution during its peak usage, especially for users within the GNOME environment. However, its relevance has diminished as newer messaging platforms have gained popularity.

Why this product is good

  • Empathy is a messaging app that was integrated with the GNOME desktop environment. It was designed to facilitate easy communication across multiple protocols by using the Telepathy framework. Users appreciate it for its ability to consolidate various chat services into one application, streamlining communication. Additionally, its integration with the GNOME desktop made it a convenient choice for GNOME users.

Recommended for

    Empathy can still be recommended for users who are running older versions of the GNOME desktop environment and appreciate its integration capabilities. It might also be of interest to those who are exploring the history of Linux desktop applications or have a particular interest in legacy software solutions.

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.

Empathy 3 videos + Add
Rectangle 3 videos + Add

Empathy, Inc. (2019) Movie Review | Virtual Reality Techno Thriller!

More videos

  • - The Painful Art of Empathy – Deconstructing The Last of Us: Part 2
  • - Learning Empathy - Violet Evergarden's Beautiful Writing

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
Empathy
Rectangle
100% 100%
Group Chat & Notifications
0% 0%
0% 0%
Mac Tools
100% 100%
100% 100%
Communication
0% 0%
0% 0%
Window Manager
100% 100%

User comments

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

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Reviews and articles

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

Empathy no reviews yet
Rectangle no reviews yet

We have no reviews of Empathy 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.

Empathy 0 mentions
Rectangle 480 mentions

Tracking Empathy 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 / 5 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

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