Software Alternatives & Startups

Microsoft Store VS Rectangle

Compare Microsoft Store VS Rectangle and see what are their differences

Microsoft Store

A world of apps in the Microsoft Store.

Rating
0 reviews
Rectangle

Window management app based on Spectacle, written in Swift.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
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
Windows Tools popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
103 vs 240+

Base details

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

Microsoft Store
Rectangle
Website microsoft.com rectangleapp.com
Pricing
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Microsoft Store 5 features
Rectangle 5 features
  • Wide Selection
    The Microsoft Store offers a broad range of apps, games, and software tailored for Windows devices, providing users with diverse options for both productivity and entertainment.
  • Ease of Use
    For Windows users, the Microsoft Store provides a seamless and integrated experience, allowing for easy browsing, installing, and updating of apps directly from a native platform.
  • Security
    Apps in the Microsoft Store are vetted by Microsoft, reducing the risk of malware and ensuring a level of trust and safety for users downloading applications.
  • Frequent Updates
    Apps available on the Microsoft Store often receive regular updates, improving features, performance, and security, with automatic update options available.
  • Family Sharing and Licensing
    The store supports family sharing, allowing users to share app purchases with family members, and ensures that purchased apps remain tied to the user's Microsoft account for easy reinstallation.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited App Availability
    Compared to competitors like the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, the Microsoft Store may have fewer app options or exclusive apps, particularly for mobile users.
  • Performance Issues
    Users may experience occasional slowdowns, crashes, or issues when using the store, impacting the browsing or purchasing experience.
  • App Quality Variability
    The quality and functionality of apps in the Microsoft Store can vary significantly, with some apps not offering the same level of performance or features found in their desktop counterparts.
  • Regional Restrictions
    Some apps may not be available in all regions or may have features restricted based on geographic location, limiting access for some users.
  • Dependency on Windows 10/11
    The Microsoft Store is optimized for use on Windows 10 and Windows 11, which might limit its utility or availability for users operating older versions of Windows.
  • 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.

Microsoft Store
Rectangle

No analysis of Microsoft Store yet.

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.

Microsoft Store 3 videos + Add
Rectangle 3 videos + Add

Is the Microsoft Store still terrible?

More videos

  • - Best Windows 10 Apps on the Microsoft Store!
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SKYWALKER RECTANGLE TRAMPOLINE REVIEW!!!

More videos

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  • - 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
Microsoft Store
Rectangle
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Microsoft Store 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.

Microsoft Store no reviews yet
Rectangle no reviews yet
  • The best Steam alternatives for PC gamers
    www.techradar.com · Feb 2019

    It’s no secret that Microsoft has always harboured ambitions of becoming the leading digital distribution platform on Windows. The problem is that during the years when Microsoft was embroiled in the Xbox and Xbox...

  • 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

    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.

Microsoft Store 0 mentions
Rectangle 480 mentions

Tracking Microsoft Store 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 / 28 days 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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Alternatives to Microsoft Store and Rectangle

When comparing Microsoft Store and Rectangle, you can also consider the following products.