Software Alternatives & Startups

PinLayout VS Rectangle

Compare PinLayout VS Rectangle and see what are their differences

PinLayout

PinLayout is a window manager for Mac and Windows that pins every app to its own screen zone and keeps it there.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Paid Free trial €29.5 / Annually (Pro)
Rectangle

Window management app based on Spectacle, written in Swift.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source

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
9 vs 240+

Base details

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

PinLayout
Rectangle
Website pinlayout.com rectangleapp.com
Pricing
Paid Free trial €29.5 / Annually (Pro) Official pricing
Open source
Platforms
Windows Mac MacOS
—
Company Startup from Ireland · 2026 —
Listed in

About PinLayout and Rectangle

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

PinLayout
Rectangle

PinLayout is a window manager for Windows and Mac that gives every app its own place on your screens and keeps it there. Snap apps into zones or build your own grid, then save the layout. You can keep a different layout for each monitor, and each desk setup (home, office or just the laptop)...

Read more about PinLayout

No description of Rectangle yet.

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

PinLayout 5 features
Rectangle 5 features
  • Snap zones
    Snap apps into zones or your own custom grid
  • Per-monitor layouts
    A different saved layout for every screen
  • Restore after restart
    Puts your apps and windows back where they were
  • Desk setups
    Home, office and laptop-only setups each keep their own layout
  • AI setup
    Optional: suggests a layout for your screens on first launch
  • 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.

PinLayout
Rectangle

No analysis of PinLayout 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.

PinLayout 1 video + Add
Rectangle 3 videos + Add

Restart Demo

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
PinLayout
Rectangle
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing PinLayout and Rectangle.

What makes your product unique?

PinLayout's answer

PinLayout gives every app a fixed place on your screens and keeps it there. You can save a layout for each monitor, each desk setup keeps its own layout, and your apps and windows go back where they were after a restart. It works on both Mac and Windows, and teams can share layouts through a shared library.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

PinLayout's answer

Most window tools snap windows into place but don't remember your whole setup. PinLayout saves full layouts per monitor, restores them after a restart, and runs on both Mac and Windows, so the same layouts work across a mixed team.

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

PinLayout's answer

People who work across several apps and screens every day: developers, designers, analysts, traders, remote and hybrid workers, and teams that want everyone on the same setup.

User comments

Share your experience with using PinLayout 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.

PinLayout no reviews yet
Rectangle no reviews yet

We have no reviews of PinLayout 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

    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.

PinLayout 0 mentions
Rectangle 480 mentions

Tracking PinLayout since Nov 2026.

  • 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 / 3 months 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 / 7 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 / 7 months ago

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Alternatives to PinLayout and Rectangle

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