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i3 VS Magnet Window Manager

Compare i3 VS Magnet Window Manager and see what are their differences

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i3 logo i3

A dynamic tiling window manager designed for X11, inspired by wmii, and written in C.

Magnet Window Manager logo Magnet Window Manager

Magnet Developers
  • i3 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-19
  • Magnet Window Manager Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-27

i3 features and specs

  • Efficient Window Management
    i3 allows for highly efficient window management using a tree data structure, making it easy to snap windows into grids and manage multiple applications simultaneously.
  • Lightweight
    i3 is deliberately simplistic and lightweight, which allows it to run efficiently on older hardware or systems with limited resources.
  • Customizability
    Users can extensively customize keybindings and behavior through a plain text configuration file. This allows for a personalized workflow.
  • Keyboard-Centric
    i3 is designed to be used primarily through keyboard shortcuts, which can lead to increased productivity for advanced users.
  • Scriptability
    i3 supports various scripting languages through its IPC (Inter-process Communication) interface, enabling automation of complex workflows.
  • Community and Documentation
    i3 has strong community support and extensive documentation, making it easier for new users to learn and troubleshoot issues.

Possible disadvantages of i3

  • Steep Learning Curve
    New users may find i3 difficult to learn and configure, especially if they are accustomed to traditional desktop environments.
  • Lack of GUI Configuration Tools
    i3 relies heavily on manual edits to text files for configuration, lacking user-friendly graphical interfaces for setup and customization.
  • Limited Out-of-the-Box Features
    i3 does not come with many built-in features available in more comprehensive desktop environments, such as app launchers or system tray support, requiring additional setups.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Some applications may not play well with tiling window managers like i3, requiring workarounds or alternative software choices.
  • Minimal Default Appearance
    Without customization, i3 offers a very minimalistic and barebones visual experience, which may not be appealing to all users.

Magnet Window Manager features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    Magnet offers a user-friendly interface that allows users to easily snap windows to various parts of the screen using simple drag-and-drop gestures or keyboard shortcuts.
  • Productivity
    By enabling users to organize multiple windows efficiently, Magnet enhances productivity, especially for those who multitask or need to manage numerous applications simultaneously.
  • Customizability
    The app provides customizable keyboard shortcuts, allowing users to tailor the application to fit their workflow and preferences.
  • Compatibility
    Magnet works seamlessly with a wide variety of macOS applications, ensuring that window management features are consistently available.
  • Affordability
    Magnet is relatively inexpensive, making it an accessible option for users who need advanced window management without breaking the bank.

Possible disadvantages of Magnet Window Manager

  • Limited Advanced Features
    While Magnet is excellent for basic window management, it may lack some advanced features that power users might find in more comprehensive window management tools.
  • No Free Version
    Magnet does not offer a free version. Users must purchase the app, which might be a drawback for those looking for cost-free solutions.
  • MacOS Only
    Magnet is exclusively available for macOS, limiting its usefulness for users who also operate on other platforms such as Windows or Linux.
  • Occasional Bugs
    Some users have reported occasional bugs or glitches, especially following macOS updates, which can disrupt the user experience until patched.
  • Minimal User Interface
    The minimalistic design of the user interface, while clean, may not provide as much visual feedback or customization options as some users might prefer.

Analysis of i3

Overall verdict

  • Yes, i3 is considered a very good window manager for users who appreciate its minimalist and efficient approach. Its lightweight design keeps resource usage low, which can improve performance on less powerful machines.

Why this product is good

  • i3wm is known for its simplicity, speed, and efficient use of screen space, making it a popular choice among power users and developers who prefer a keyboard-driven workspace. Its tiling feature allows for the seamless organization of multiple windows, enhancing productivity and multitasking. Furthermore, it is highly customizable, allowing users to tailor their workspace to their specific needs.

Recommended for

    i3wm is recommended for advanced users, developers, and anyone who prefers a keyboard-centric interface. It is ideal for users who like to customize their environment extensively and are comfortable with configuring software via text files. New users with a willingness to learn may also find it rewarding.

Analysis of Magnet Window Manager

Overall verdict

  • Magnet Window Manager generally receives positive reviews for its user-friendly interface and effective functionality. It is widely considered a good choice for Mac users seeking a window management solution.

Why this product is good

  • Magnet Window Manager is known for its ability to help users organize their workspace by allowing them to quickly and easily arrange open applications using customizable shortcuts. It improves productivity, especially for users who work with multiple windows and require an efficient way to manage their desktop space.

Recommended for

    This application is recommended for professionals, students, or any users who frequently handle multiple applications or documents at the same time and need a streamlined way to manage their desktop layout on a Mac system.

i3 videos

+ Add

30k Miles with the BMW i3 - End of Lease Review

More videos:

  • Review - 2016 BMW i3 - Review and Road Test
  • Review - 2018 BMW i3s Range Extender (REx) Review - The Future Of Cars?
  • Demo - Gaming With Intel's Core i3 9100F - The First Turbo Boosted Desktop i3
  • Review - The best EV for the money? Used BMW i3 Review

Magnet Window Manager videos

+ Add

Review: Magnet window manager for OS X

More videos:

  • Review - Magnet Window Manager for Mac Review - #AgencyToolbox

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to i3 and Magnet Window Manager)

i3

Magnet Window Manager

Window Manager
52 52%
Window Manager
48% 48
Linux
100 100%
Linux
0% 0
OSX Tools
0 0%
OSX Tools
100% 100
Utilities
100 100%
Utilities
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare i3 and Magnet Window Manager

i3 Reviews

Top 13 Best Tiling Window Managers For Linux In 2022
Sway is a tiling Wayland i3-compatible window manager that dynamically arranges app windows to rationally maximise desktop space. It is free, open-source, and lightweight. By default, it arranges windows in a grid and supports practically all of the i3 commands.
Source: www.hubtech.org
Top 10 Best Desktop Environments in 2020
i3-wm is one of my most loved standalone window managers, qualifying it to easily fit under the desktop environment list! The configuration is just very easy, and you can change everything that you see on screen. This includes what information you see on the bottom panel, how windows behave, and keyboard shortcuts to move, align, and set up windows on the screen.
Source: www.journaldev.com
13 Best Tiling Window Managers for Linux
Sway is a free, open-source, and lightweight tiling Wayland i3-compatible window manager that automatically arranges app windows to logically maximize desktop space. It arranges windows into a grid by default and supports almost all the commands included in i3.
Source: www.tecmint.com
5 Great Tiling Window Managers for Linux
I begun testing i3 just this week. I was always fascinated by the Tiling WM’s as they seem really light on system resources and functional. To my surprise , although i3 is really easy to customize, and works really well (at least for my needs) , I found that it isn’t really that lightweight. I had Mate desktop environment use the same amount of RAM. Maybe I was mislead to...
Source: www.maketecheasier.com

Magnet Window Manager Reviews

Top 10 Productivity Apps for MacOS 2025
Magnet is one of those apps that you dont think about but if someone removed it from your laptop, it wouldnt take long to realise. It brings proper window snapping to macOS. While Mac has basic tools, Magnet makes it fast and effortless to snap windows into halves, quarters, or thirds with simple shortcuts or drag actions. It’s clean, lightweight, and does exactly what it...
Source: dev.to
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.
Source: www.maketecheasier.com
The 6 Best Mac Window Management Tools
Magnet supports up to six external displays in different orientations, including vertical orientation. You can get Magnet from the App Store for a $7.99 one-time fee, which is pretty reasonable, especially if you miss Windows 11's Snap feature.
Source: www.makeuseof.com
Moom vs Magnet vs Spectacle
There are some tools to improve this on macOS. The two I have tried are Moom and Magnet. And lastly I tried Rectangle as well. They are very similar in the way that they intend to solve the same problem, but they differ in some essential parts.
Source: medium.com

Social recommendations and mentions

i3 might be a bit more popular than Magnet Window Manager. We know about 90 links to it since March 2021 and only 68 links to Magnet Window Manager. 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.

i3 mentions (90)

  • Automatic Visual Feedback for System Volume Change in I3wm via Dunst
    I switched to the i3 tiling based window manager. Because it's a whole different environment and thinking, it was very different from what I was used to. The volume buttons were working on my keyboard, but I didn't get any visual feedback. Furthermore, the volume percentage could go down below zero and increase up to more than hundread percent. There were times when I was confused why the keys stopped working, but... - Source: dev.to / 11 months ago
  • "We understand" ;)
    This is partially why I use tools like i3 (/ sway). I like the tool; it works extremely well for me; the design has stayed the same for 20 years; there's no profit motive to come along and fuck everything up. It just works. It is boring in the best way possible. Source: over 1 year ago
  • what machines have you used for development, and what do you prefer?
    I use MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid-2014) with Manjaro as OS using i3 as a window manager. It isn't perfect, but I'm thrilled with it. I have been a Mac OS user for the last 15 years and wouldn't change what I have now for a Mac OS because I don't need more than what I'm using for development. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Machine for pentesting and general use?
    For daily usage I really like kubuntu with i3wm, but it takes some configuration and getting used to the shortcuts, but it's well worth it. Source: about 2 years ago
  • What's the difference between Gnome and KDE? Do applications written for one work in the other?
    Some window managers are meant to be used as-is, and provide a minimalist yet functional environment that use very little resources or give power users an almost HUD-like interface. Examples of those window managers are OpenBox and i3wm for X, and Weston and Hyprland for Wayland. Source: about 2 years ago
View more

Magnet Window Manager mentions (68)

View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing i3 and Magnet Window Manager, you can also consider the following products

dwm - dwm is a dynamic window manager for X. It manages windows in tiled, monocle and floating layouts. All of the layouts can be applied dynamically, optimising the environment for the application in use and the task performed.

Rectangle - Window management app based on Spectacle, written in Swift.

Sway - Sway is a drop-in replacement for the i3 window manager, but for Wayland instead of X11.

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).

Openbox - Openbox is a highly configurable, next generation window manager with extensive standards support.

Spectacle App - Move and resize windows with ease.

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