Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Gboard VS Rectangle

Compare Gboard VS Rectangle and see what are their differences

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Gboard logo Gboard

Google-powered keyboard with search, GIFs, emojis and more!

Rectangle logo Rectangle

Window management app based on Spectacle, written in Swift.
  • Gboard Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-18
  • Rectangle Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-20

Gboard features and specs

  • Multi-language support
    Gboard supports typing in multiple languages, allowing users to switch between languages seamlessly.
  • Google Search integration
    The keyboard includes a built-in Google Search feature, enabling users to perform searches directly from the keyboard.
  • Glide Typing
    Gboard offers Glide Typing, allowing users to type words by sliding their fingers from letter to letter instead of tapping each key.
  • Voice Typing
    Users can input text via voice commands, making it easier to type hands-free or when speaking is more convenient.
  • Emoji and GIF search
    The keyboard includes a comprehensive search tool for emojis and GIFs, making it easy to find and insert them into messages.
  • Google Translate integration
    Gboard features built-in Google Translate functionality, allowing users to translate text in real-time.
  • Customizable themes
    Users can customize the keyboard's appearance with various themes and colors to suit their personal taste.

Possible disadvantages of Gboard

  • Privacy concerns
    As a product of Google, some users may be concerned about data privacy and the extent to which their keystrokes and information are being collected.
  • Resource consumption
    Gboard can consume more system resources (CPU, RAM) compared to other keyboard apps, potentially slowing down the device.
  • Occasional lag
    Some users may experience lag or delays when using Gboard, particularly on older or less powerful devices.
  • Complexity
    With its numerous features and options, Gboard can be overwhelming or difficult to navigate for some users.
  • Intrusive suggestions
    The predictive text and autocorrect features can sometimes be overly aggressive or intrusive, leading to incorrect suggestions and auto-corrections.
  • Frequent updates
    While updates can bring new features and improvements, frequent updates may also result in bugs, changes to user interface, or require re-learning certain functionalities.

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 Gboard

Overall verdict

  • Gboard is generally well-received by users for its robust features and ease of use. It is frequently updated by Google, which helps maintain its performance and security. Overall, Gboard is a reliable and versatile choice for anyone looking for a high-quality keyboard app.

Why this product is good

  • Gboard is considered a good virtual keyboard app because it offers a wide range of features including swipe typing, voice typing, multi-language support, and Google Search integrated directly into the keyboard. These features offer convenience and enhance productivity for users. Additionally, its predictive text and autocorrect capabilities are quite advanced, making typing easier and more efficient.

Recommended for

    Gboard is recommended for users who need a versatile and feature-rich keyboard app. It's ideal for those who frequently switch between different languages, use emojis often, or perform web searches directly from their keyboard. It's also suitable for users who value customization and want a keyboard that integrates seamlessly with other Google services.

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.

Gboard videos

Gboard VS Samsung Keyboard - Which Is Better?

More videos:

  • Review - SwiftKey vs Gboard | Which is Best Keyboard App for You | Guiding Tech
  • Review - Google GBoard Review 😍 ! Is It Better Than Swiftkey ?

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 Gboard and Rectangle)
iOS Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Mac Tools
0 0%
100% 100
iPhone
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 Gboard and Rectangle

Gboard Reviews

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Rectangle Reviews

Best 6 Mac Window Managers
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 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 – such as BetterSnapTool, Magnet, and Rectangle – 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 a lot more popular than Gboard. While we know about 462 links to Rectangle, we've tracked only 2 mentions of Gboard. 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.

Gboard mentions (2)

  • [Round 124516] Please give me step-by-step instructions on how to make this appear on a brand new iphone (of course without searching the pic online and sharing)
    Install the gboard app Make it the main keyboard, by following the steps here: https://support.google.com/gboard/answer/6380730?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DiOS#zippy=%2Cmake-gboard-your-main-keyboard Open a web browser Click the emoji symbol Type in 🪄🧀 Select the first sticker. Source: about 2 years ago
  • The name of things , you probably didn’t know
    At least in Gboard, for me, it is available when long press for symbols is enabled in the settings and you hold the ? After switching to the numbers and symbols layout (?123). Source: almost 4 years ago

Rectangle mentions (462)

  • Any tools for a customizable trading dashboard (charts, order flow, news, etc.)?
    Try rectangle if you’re on mac. It’s a window manager and you can config hot keys to move windows around. For example I keep my large monitor split in 3, with a window in each third. I know it’s not exactly what you asked, but prob the best you can achieve. If you want to try to roll your own web solution, you can try to create a page with multiple iframes. The catch is that sites control whether they can be... - Source: Hacker News / 2 months ago
  • The Future Is Niri
    This is how I use my Mac desktop with Rectangle https://rectangleapp.com That and the apple touchpad to swipe three fingers left and right to switch desktops (and different machines as one desktop is remote desked into a windows box and another terminal+tmux session to a linux box). - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • iTerm2 Critical Security Fix
    Full-screen-but-not-native is useful enough that it's handy to have around for all windows in all programs. So the move there is to install Rectangle.app (https://rectangleapp.com/), the successor to Spectacle, and then choose your terminal independently. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • Show HN: Resizer2 – i3/KDE window movement on Windows
    I use https://rectangleapp.com/ for KDE-like window management on my Macbooks. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • Apple's macOS Sequoia lets you snap windows into position
    It's OK, but far from enough for a power user. After trying it out, I decided to go back to using the open source Rectangle: https://rectangleapp.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
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What are some alternatives?

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

AnySoftKeyboard - Android (f/w 1.5+) on-screen keyboard for multiple languages.

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

Hacker's Keyboard - Are you missing the key layout you're used to from your computer when using an Android device?

Magnet Window Manager - Magnet Developers

Fleksy - Fleksy is the #1 private, white-label virtual keyboard SDK, enabling companies to create unimaginable 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).