Software Alternatives & Startups

Rectangle VS Archcraft

Compare Rectangle VS Archcraft and see what are their differences

Rectangle

Window management app based on Spectacle, written in Swift.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
Archcraft

Yet another minimal Linux distribution, based on Arch Linux.

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 Archcraft. While we know about 480 links to Rectangle, we've tracked only 32 mentions of Archcraft.

social mentions
480 vs 32
Mac Tools popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 23

Base details

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

Rectangle
Archcraft
Website rectangleapp.com archcraft.io
Pricing
Open source
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Rectangle 5 features
Archcraft 4 features
  • 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.
  • Lightweight
    Archcraft is a minimalistic distribution based on Arch Linux, designed to be lightweight and provide fast performance by utilizing minimal resources.
  • Customization
    The distribution allows extensive customization, giving users the flexibility to modify and configure their environment as per their preferences.
  • Arch Linux Benefit
    Being based on Arch Linux, Archcraft inherits benefits such as access to the Arch User Repository (AUR) and a rolling release model, ensuring up-to-date packages.
  • Preconfigured Environments
    Archcraft comes with ready-to-use window managers, making it easier for users to get started quickly without heavy configuration.

Possible disadvantages

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Like Arch Linux, Archcraft is not the easiest distribution for beginners due to its requirement for manual configurations and command-line familiarity.
  • Limited Official Support
    Being a smaller project, official support and documentation might be less comprehensive compared to more popular distributions.
  • Frequent Updates
    While rolling release models ensure timely updates, they can also lead to potential system stability challenges with frequent changes.
  • Niche User Base
    Archcraft targets a niche audience looking for lightweight, highly customizable environments, which may not appeal to users seeking a more traditional desktop experience.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Rectangle
Archcraft

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.

No analysis of Archcraft yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Rectangle 3 videos + Add
Archcraft 3 videos + Add

SKYWALKER RECTANGLE TRAMPOLINE REVIEW!!!

More videos

  • - Skywalker Rectangle Trampoline Review #1
  • - Marvin Malton 160 Rectangle Flying Hour Watch Review

New Release of Archcraft OS. Will It Change My Mind?

More videos

  • - First Impression of Archcraft OS
  • - Archcraft OS

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
Rectangle
Archcraft
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Rectangle and Archcraft. 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.

Rectangle no reviews yet
Archcraft no reviews yet
  • 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...

We have no reviews of Archcraft yet. Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Rectangle 480 mentions
Archcraft 32 mentions
  • 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 1 month 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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  • Looking for a Distro suitable for Programming (Mostly Java) and Web Creation (HTML and CSS)
    Try a few different ones that comes preinstalled with a window manager - window managers are all slightly different so it comes down to which one you prefer to use If you want to try Bspwm you can check out Archcraft - it comes... Source: over 3 years ago
  • Using i3 on a laptop is such a great experience
    If you don't want to configure it yourself, use an already configured setup like Archcraft. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Permission Denied error when running pipemenu
    I'm using Openbox for the first time, it has been working wonderfully. I've decided to take some configuration from Archcraft, (mostly to make my base Arch install look a bit better) however the pipemenu seems to not work. Source: over 3 years ago

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Alternatives to Rectangle and Archcraft

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