Software Alternatives & Startups

QTTabBar VS Rectangle

Compare QTTabBar VS Rectangle and see what are their differences

QTTabBar

QTTabBar is an extension for Windows Explorer that brings tabbed browsing to Microsoft's file...

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 a lot more popular than QTTabBar. While we know about 480 links to Rectangle, we've tracked only 30 mentions of QTTabBar.

social mentions
30 vs 480
File Manager popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
91 vs 240+

Base details

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

QTTabBar
Rectangle
Website qttabbar.wikidot.com rectangleapp.com
Pricing —
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

QTTabBar 5 features
Rectangle 5 features
  • Tab Management
    Enables adding tabs to Windows File Explorer, allowing for easier navigation between multiple directories within a single window.
  • Customizability
    Offers a high degree of customization for appearance and behavior, allowing users to tailor the software to their preferences.
  • Extended Functionality
    Provides additional features like custom commands, preview pane enhancements, and quick access buttons that extend File Explorer’s native capabilities.
  • Freeware
    Available for free, making it accessible to a wide range of users without financial investment.
  • Plugin Support
    Supports various plugins, offering the potential to add even more functionality through third-party extensions.

Possible disadvantages

  • Compatibility
    May have compatibility issues with some versions of Windows or other software, which can lead to crashes or limited functionality.
  • Learning Curve
    The extensive features and customization options might be overwhelming for new users, requiring a significant time investment to learn.
  • Performance Overhead
    Can introduce a performance overhead in File Explorer, particularly on older or less powerful systems.
  • Bug and Stability Issues
    Users may encounter bugs and stability issues since it is an extension to the built-in Windows File Explorer, which might not always update simultaneously with system updates.
  • Documentation
    The documentation and support resources may be limited, making troubleshooting and advanced feature usage more challenging.
  • 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.

QTTabBar
Rectangle

Overall verdict

  • QTTabBar is generally considered a good tool by those who need to improve their productivity and file management workflow on Windows. It is praised for its extensive customization options and the convenience it brings to users who frequently work with numerous folders or files.

Why this product is good

  • QTTabBar is a popular utility for Windows users who want to enhance the standard Windows Explorer interface. It adds tabs to Windows Explorer, allowing for better file management and multi-tasking. It offers a range of customizable features like folder grouping, preview functionality, and advanced file operations which are not available in the default Windows Explorer setup.

Recommended for

    QTTabBar is recommended for power users, professionals, and anyone who frequently interacts with multiple folders and files at once, and desires an enhanced file management experience on Windows. It is especially useful for users who are familiar with tabbed browsing in web browsers and want a similar experience in Windows Explorer.

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.

QTTabBar 2 videos + Add
Rectangle 3 videos + Add

QTTabBar: Add Tabs to Windows Explorer (1/2)

More videos

  • - You NEED this WINDOWS 10 plugin! QTTabBar

SKYWALKER RECTANGLE TRAMPOLINE REVIEW!!!

More videos

  • - Skywalker Rectangle Trampoline Review #1
  • - 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
QTTabBar
Rectangle
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using QTTabBar 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.

QTTabBar no reviews yet
Rectangle no reviews yet

We have no reviews of QTTabBar 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.

QTTabBar 30 mentions
Rectangle 480 mentions
  • What is a piece of software that you need but doesn't exist?
    Try QTTabbar. Adds a lot of features to windows explorer including tabs (disable tab bar if using with windows 11 with native tabs in explorer) After installation enable the toolbars from View -> Options (or use the enabler app on... Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Enabling a feature in File explorer
    False. It is not the only software, I use Qttabbar since Windows 7 and thanks to it I have tabs that I can customize, and they are more useful than the native tabs. Source: over 3 years ago
  • This is a joke? we have icons for Paint in dark theme, but we don't have any option to activate a dark theme in Paint? Really? 🤨 The icons for Paint in dark theme on the left and in light theme on the right, as they can be found in the Paint installation folder.
    About tabs, since Windows 7 I use tabs in the file explorer thanks to Qttabbar. Qttabbar tabs are customizable and more useful than native tabs. I had to use vivetool to permanently disable native tabs, and instead I use Qttabbar tabs.... Source: over 3 years ago

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  • 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 / about 2 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 / 6 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 QTTabBar and Rectangle

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