Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Rectangle VS Contexts

Compare Rectangle VS Contexts and see what are their differences

Rectangle logo Rectangle

Window management app based on Spectacle, written in Swift.

Contexts logo Contexts

Switch between application windows effortlessly — with Fast Search, a better Command-Tab, a Sidebar or even a quick gesture. Free trial available.
  • Rectangle Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-20
  • Contexts Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-21

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.

Contexts features and specs

  • Intuitive Interface
    Contexts offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface that makes it easy for users to switch between different tasks and applications seamlessly.
  • Productivity Enhancement
    With rapid window switching and organization, Contexts helps enhance productivity by reducing the time spent on finding and managing open applications.
  • Keyboard Shortcuts
    The app supports customizable keyboard shortcuts, allowing users to navigate their open applications and tasks more efficiently.
  • Compatibility
    Contexts is highly compatible with macOS and integrates well with other macOS workflows and applications.
  • Search Functionality
    It provides a powerful search functionality that lets users quickly find and switch to any open window using just a few keystrokes.

Possible disadvantages of Contexts

  • Limited to macOS
    Contexts is only available for macOS, which limits its utility for users who work across multiple operating systems such as Windows or Linux.
  • Learning Curve
    While the interface is intuitive, new users may still require some time and practice to fully master the keyboard shortcuts and become accustomed to the workflow.
  • Cost
    Contexts is a paid application, which might be a deterrent for users looking for free alternatives or those who are budget-conscious.
  • Resource Usage
    Some users have reported that the application can be resource-intensive, which might affect the performance of older or less powerful Mac machines.
  • Feature Limitations
    While it excels in window management, Contexts lacks some advanced features found in other productivity tools, such as integration with task management or project planning software.

Rectangle videos

SKYWALKER RECTANGLE TRAMPOLINE REVIEW!!!

More videos:

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

Contexts videos

The Art of Discovering Bounded Contexts by Nick Tune

More videos:

  • Review - A Fresh Take on Contexts
  • Review - Contexts and Methods: Literature Review - Intro and Assessment Criteria

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Rectangle and Contexts)
Mac Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Mac
0 0%
100% 100
Window Manager
81 81%
19% 19
OSX Tools
100 100%
0% 0

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 Contexts

Rectangle Reviews

Best 6 Mac Window Managers
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 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 – such as BetterSnapTool, Magnet, and Rectangle – offer this functionality.
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.

Contexts Reviews

We have no reviews of Contexts yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Rectangle should be more popular than Contexts. It has been mentiond 462 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 (462)

  • Any tools for a customizable trading dashboard (charts, order flow, news, etc.)?
    Try rectangle if you’re on mac. It’s a window manager and you can config hot keys to move windows around. For example I keep my large monitor split in 3, with a window in each third. I know it’s not exactly what you asked, but prob the best you can achieve. If you want to try to roll your own web solution, you can try to create a page with multiple iframes. The catch is that sites control whether they can be... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 month ago
  • The Future Is Niri
    This is how I use my Mac desktop with Rectangle https://rectangleapp.com That and the apple touchpad to swipe three fingers left and right to switch desktops (and different machines as one desktop is remote desked into a windows box and another terminal+tmux session to a linux box). - Source: Hacker News / about 2 months ago
  • iTerm2 Critical Security Fix
    Full-screen-but-not-native is useful enough that it's handy to have around for all windows in all programs. So the move there is to install Rectangle.app (https://rectangleapp.com/), the successor to Spectacle, and then choose your terminal independently. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • Show HN: Resizer2 – i3/KDE window movement on Windows
    I use https://rectangleapp.com/ for KDE-like window management on my Macbooks. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • Apple's macOS Sequoia lets you snap windows into position
    It's OK, but far from enough for a power user. After trying it out, I decided to go back to using the open source Rectangle: https://rectangleapp.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
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Contexts mentions (63)

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What are some alternatives?

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

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

Witch - Welcome to the world of W. i. t. c. h.

Magnet Window Manager - Magnet Developers

Compiz - Project information. Maintainer: PS Project Management Team. Driver: Compiz Maintainers. Licence: GNU GPL v2, GNU LGPL v2. 1, MIT / X / Expat Licence.

Moom - Move your mouse over the green zoom button in any window, and Moom's mouse control overlay will appear (as seen in the above animation).

rcmd - rcmd makes app switching instantaneous!When you have a lot of apps open, finding and switching to them might feel too slow using Command-Tab or the Dock.Hold down the right side |⌘ command| and press the first letter of the app name to focus it.