Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

GrapheneOS VS Rectangle

Compare GrapheneOS VS Rectangle and see what are their differences

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GrapheneOS logo GrapheneOS

GrapheneOS is an open source privacy and security focused mobile OS with Android app compatibility.

Rectangle logo Rectangle

Window management app based on Spectacle, written in Swift.
  • GrapheneOS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-21
  • Rectangle Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-20

GrapheneOS features and specs

  • Enhanced Privacy
    GrapheneOS provides robust privacy features by limiting app permissions and extensive endpoint isolation, which significantly reduces data mining capabilities.
  • Security Focus
    Designed with a strong emphasis on security, GrapheneOS incorporates advanced defensive technologies, including hardened memory allocators and enhanced sandboxing.
  • Regular Updates
    GrapheneOS frequently receives security patches and updates to ensure your device is protected against the latest threats.
  • Open Source
    Being an open-source project, GrapheneOS allows for transparency and verification by the community, ensuring no hidden backdoors or malicious code.
  • Improved Performance
    With a streamlined and optimized operating system, users often experience improved performance and battery life compared to stock Android.

Possible disadvantages of GrapheneOS

  • Limited App Compatibility
    Due to its strong focus on security and privacy, some apps that rely on Google Play Services may not work properly or require additional setup.
  • Technical Expertise Required
    Installing and configuring GrapheneOS can be challenging for non-technical users, as it often requires knowledge of advanced topics like flashing custom ROMs and using ADB.
  • Reduced Features
    Some features found in stock Android, particularly those provided by Google, may be missing or need to be manually installed and configured.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    GrapheneOS supports a limited range of devices, primarily focused on Google's Pixel line, which may restrict its use for users with other hardware.
  • Community Support
    While the open-source community is active, users may find that support is less comprehensive compared to larger commercial offerings like those directly from Google or Apple.

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 GrapheneOS

Overall verdict

  • GrapheneOS is considered a top choice for users who prioritize privacy and security over the extensive feature sets and customization options found in some mainstream Android distributions.

Why this product is good

  • GrapheneOS is an open-source, privacy and security-focused operating system for smartphones, based on Android. It emphasizes strong application sandboxing, better memory safety, and limits on exploitation of vulnerabilities. The OS incorporates features like hardened malloc and mitigations against side-channel attacks, making it one of the most secure choices for privacy-conscious users.

Recommended for

  • Privacy advocates seeking maximum control over their data and security.
  • Individuals who need strong security features for sensitive communications.
  • Tech enthusiasts comfortable with alternative operating systems and willing to trade some convenience for enhanced security.

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.

GrapheneOS videos

GrapheneOS Review: Your BEST Secure & Private Mobile OS!

More videos:

  • Tutorial - THIS is the most private and secure phone on the planet - GrapheneOS review and how to install
  • Review - First GrapheneOS Review

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 GrapheneOS and Rectangle)
Mobile OS
100 100%
0% 0
Mac Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Mobile SDK
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 GrapheneOS and Rectangle

GrapheneOS Reviews

Top 5 Secure Operating Systems for Privacy and Anonymity
GrapheneOS is a modern and sleek mobile operating system with a strong focus on privacy and robust security features. Developed as an open-source project, it builds upon the foundations of the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) to deliver a secure, Google-free Android experience without sacrificing usability. Leveraging Android's existing security model, GrapheneOS...
Android Alternative: Top 12 Mobile Operating Systems
If security and privacy are your main reasons behind your search for an Android alternative, GrapheneOS fits the bill perfectly. Itโ€™s a security-hardened operating system, built with top-notch privacy protection in mind. GrapheneOS, earlier known as CopperheadOS, is also developed on Android, but the main developer, Daniel Micay has worked extensively to make GrapheneOS a...
Source: beebom.com
Open Source Mobile OS Alternatives To Android
GrapheneOS in an open source privacy-focused mobile operating system. It is focused on the research and development of privacy and security technology.
Source: itsfoss.com

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

Rectangle might be a bit more popular than GrapheneOS. We know about 479 links to it since March 2021 and only 400 links to GrapheneOS. 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.

GrapheneOS mentions (400)

  • GrapheneOS reccommended for domestic abuse victims
    Zero Google services are shippsx by default, but you can install Play Store and Services in a sandbox and it has minimal privacy problems, depending on the permissions you give it. Their docs are really good, not only for their phone but for learning about privacy and security: https://grapheneos.org You could still install an app that spies on you on grapheneos because it has 99.99% android app compatibility, so... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 month ago
  • Volkswagen started blocking GrapheneOS users
    Graphene is not a kind of Android. It doesn't even advertise itself as such: > GrapheneOS is a privacy and security focused mobile OS with Android app compatibility [https://grapheneos.org/]. - Source: Hacker News / 2 months ago
  • Apple Removes iPhone Vibe Coding App from App Store
    It's refreshing that projects like https://grapheneos.org/ that let you take control of your device again at least to some degree. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • F-Droid: "Keep Android Open"
    A good opportunity to donate[1] to the GrapheneOS[2]. [1] https://grapheneos.org/donate [2] https://grapheneos.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • Android/Linux Dual Boot
    That's already happening today. https://grapheneos.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
View more

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
View more

What are some alternatives?

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

CalyxOS - Privacy-focused operating system for smartphones based on Android and microG

Magnet Window Manager - Magnet Developers

LineageOS - Operating system for smartphones and tablet computers, based on the Android

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

Android - Android is an open source mobile operating system initially released by Google in 2008 and has since become of the most widely used operating systems on any platform.

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