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Rectangle VS Chrome Remote Desktop

Compare Rectangle VS Chrome Remote Desktop and see what are their differences

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Contents:
  1. ยป Base Details
  2. ยป Videos
  3. ยป Reviews
  4. ยป Alternatives

Rectangle logo Rectangle

Window management app based on Spectacle, written in Swift.

Chrome Remote Desktop logo Chrome Remote Desktop

The easy way to remotely connect with your home or work computer, or share your screen with others.
  • Rectangle Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-20
  • Chrome Remote Desktop Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-26

Rectangle features and specs

  • 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 of Rectangle

  • 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.

Chrome Remote Desktop features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    Chrome Remote Desktop offers a straightforward setup and user-friendly interface, making it accessible even for individuals with minimal technical expertise.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    The service supports multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, allowing for convenient access regardless of the device being used.
  • Cost
    It is a free service, making it an economical choice for users requiring remote desktop access without investing in premium software.
  • Security
    The service uses Google's robust security protocols, including SSH and SSL, ensuring that connections are encrypted and secure.
  • Integration with Google Services
    Seamless integration with other Google services such as Gmail and Google Drive can enhance productivity and user experience.

Possible disadvantages of Chrome Remote Desktop

  • Limited Features
    Compared to other remote desktop solutions, Chrome Remote Desktop lacks advanced features such as file transfer, remote printing, and screen sharing with annotations.
  • Internet Dependency
    A stable internet connection is essential for effective use. Performance may degrade with slower connections, making it less reliable in areas with poor internet service.
  • No Multi-Monitor Support
    The service does not natively support multiple monitors, which can be a significant limitation for users who rely on multi-screen setups.
  • Limited Customization
    The application has limited customization options, making it less adaptable to specific user or business requirements compared to more flexible solutions.
  • Google Account Requirement
    A Google account is mandatory for using the service, which may be a drawback for individuals or organizations that prefer not to use Google services.

Analysis of Rectangle

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.

Rectangle videos

+ Add

SKYWALKER RECTANGLE TRAMPOLINE REVIEW!!!

More videos:

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

Chrome Remote Desktop videos

+ Add

How To Set Up Chrome Remote Desktop to WFH

More videos:

  • Review - Review - Free Chrome Remote Desktop - It is amazing!
  • Review - Access Your Desktop Remotely With Google Chrome Remote Desktop

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Rectangle and Chrome Remote Desktop)

Rectangle

Chrome Remote Desktop

Mac Tools
100 100%
Mac Tools
0% 0
Remote Desktop
0 0%
Remote Desktop
100% 100
Window Manager
100 100%
Window Manager
0% 0
Remote PC Access
0 0%
Remote PC Access
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Rectangle and Chrome Remote Desktop

Rectangle Reviews

Best 6 Mac Window Managers
Rectangle shows that you donโ€™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 โ€“ such as BetterSnapTool, Magnet, and Rectangle โ€“ offer this functionality.
Source: www.maketecheasier.com
The 6 Best Mac Window Management Tools
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 Rectangle's shortcuts.
Source: www.makeuseof.com

Chrome Remote Desktop Reviews

Top 10 Android Remote Access Tools
Microsoft Remote Desktop is very similar to Chrome Remote Desktop and provides the functionality necessary to access remote Windows computers. Since this software was developed by Microsoft, it is compatible with all of the companyโ€™s applications and versions of the Windows OS. Users who need to simply connect to distant Windows systems may find this to be the best free...
Source: www.helpwire.app
14 Best TeamViewer Alternatives of 2022
Chrome Remote Desktop is not really a proper remote access terminal. It is just a browser extension enabling remote connection. This means that it is a browser-based tool, making it platform-independent.
Source: www.cloudzat.com
25 Best TeamViewer Alternative Software (Free/Paid) in 2021
Remote desktop software needs to be installed on both the client as well as server-side. It uses Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) to connect to Windows systems. Once installed, it captures inputs like mouse and keyboard from the clientโ€™s computer and sends them to the server computer. This way, the client can use and manage the server-side computer from a remote location. It...
Source: www.guru99.com
Best remote desktop software of 2021: Paid and free choices for businesses
Chrome Remote Desktop is a free remote access program thatโ€™s available on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android devices. It's extremely limited when compared to some of the paid options on this list, but itโ€™s the best free software weโ€™ve come across and is a great option for personal use.
Source: www.techradar.com
10 Best Free Remote Desktop Tools You Should Know
Remote desktop tools and features have been around for years. Most such tools and features were built with IT administrators and managers in mind โ€“ they make it easy for IT support personnel to access connected computers via a โ€˜masterโ€™ computer. But with the increasing popularity of smartphones and tablets, the average user also feels the need to access their home or work PC...
Source: www.lifehack.org

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Rectangle should be more popular than Chrome Remote Desktop. It has been mentiond 479 times since March 2021. 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.

Rectangle mentions (479)

  • 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 paste, etc. https://support.apple.com/en-au/102650#text 2. Karabiner elements (FOSS) fixes keyboard mappings outside of the Settings: https://karabiner-elements.pqrs.org/ 3. I have the... - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • Native Instant Space Switching on macOS
    Every macOS user uses Rectangle.app โ€” https://rectangleapp.com The ones who don't use it is because they donโ€™t know it exists. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • Native Instant Space Switching on macOS
    I use https://rectangleapp.com/ and enjoy it. I have shortcuts to move windows to the left/right half of the screen, and cycle between monitors. This, combined with native cmd+tab and cmd+` is enough for me. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • Make macOS consistently bad (unironically)
    Rectangle [1] is pretty much essential for me because of this. I use only a few keypresses (maximize window, move to one of the halves of the screen horizontally) but that is enough. My mouse very rately interacts with the borders of any window, or those buttons. I had to click on the green one that you mentioned in order to see what it did (yuck). [1] https://rectangleapp.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • Make macOS consistently bad (unironically)
    I use Rectangle [1] for window management. I only use three shortcuts: full screen, left half of the screen, and right half of the screen. My editors and chrome are always running in one of these modes. But for other apps like Messages, Notes, Music, etc - yeah I don't usually expand them to full screen. [1] https://rectangleapp.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
View more

Chrome Remote Desktop mentions (94)

  • Has anyone successfully used your Chromebook just to remote to your regular pc when traveling?
    This works pretty well with Chrome Remote Desktop. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Show HN: Another way to use an old tablet as an extra screen
    When I had to work on my desktop but had to watch some educational videos on the side I just used https://remotedesktop.google.com/. - Source: Hacker News / almost 3 years ago
  • ChromeOS is Linux with Googleโ€™s desktop environment
    They do, but for the googlers I know it's just as a thin client for their remote desktop software (https://remotedesktop.google.com/). - Source: Hacker News / almost 3 years ago
  • Is it possible to run remote Access sofrwares via steamdeck?
    I use ipvanish on steamdeck for pirating movies and shows. I also use google https://remotedesktop.google.com/ to control my work computer without having to to go through windows l2tp vpn or cisco anyconnect. You just need a a browser plugin on the pc you want to control called Chrome Remote Desktop. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Remote control of a Chromebook to give someone support?
    I help my mom all the time. She just bring up https://remotedesktop.google.com/ and then select the option to get help to generate a code. You just need to use chrome browser on another machine and enter the code. You should get a pop up asking for permission. Once approved you should be able to remotely control the Chromebook. Source: about 3 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Rectangle and Chrome Remote Desktop, you can also consider the following products

yabai - A tiling window manager for macOS based on binary space partitioning

TeamViewer - TeamViewer lets you establish a connection to any PC or server within just a few seconds.

Magnet Window Manager - Magnet Developers

AnyDesk - AnyDesk is the world's most comfortable remote desktop application. Access all your programs, documents and files from anywhere, without having to entrust your data to a cloud service.

BTT Remote - A remote control for you Mac, using your iPhone or iPad

TightVNC - TightVNC - VNC-Compatible Remote Control / Remote Desktop Software. Download TightVNCDownload TightVNC 1. 3. 10ย - TightVNC Serverย - F. A. Read more about TightVNC.

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