Rectangle VS DockMate

Compare Rectangle VS DockMate and see what are their differences

JackHamr

AI agents that spec, build, test, and ship code — with voice chat, deep GitHub integration, and zero LLM markup. sponsored

Contents:

» Base Details
» Videos
» Reviews
» Alternatives

Rectangle

Window management app based on Spectacle, written in Swift.

DockMate

Window previews and controls for your Dock.

Landing page //
2023-05-20

Landing page //
2023-09-11

Rectangle

Website: rectangleapp.com
$ Details

Edit details

DockMate

Website: macenhance.com
$ Details: -

Edit details

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.

DockMate features and specs

Enhanced Dock Experience
DockMate enhances the macOS Dock by providing additional functionality such as application previews, allowing users to switch between apps without opening them.
Customizable Settings
Users have the ability to customize DockMate settings to suit their workflow, providing a personalized experience.
Integration with macOS
Seamlessly integrates with the existing macOS Dock, providing an unobtrusive and cohesive user experience.
Reduced Desktop Clutter
By offering previews and allowing actions without opening full applications, DockMate helps reduce desktop clutter.

Possible disadvantages of DockMate

Resource Usage
Like many enhancements or add-ons, it may consume additional system resources, which could affect the overall performance on lower-end machines.
Learning Curve
New users might experience a learning curve as they adjust to additional Dock features and customization options.
Compatibility Issues
There is a potential for compatibility issues with future macOS updates, which could disrupt functionality until patched.
Cost Implications
As a premium tool, users will need to consider the cost relative to the added functionality and determine if it meets their needs.

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!!!

DockMate videos

+ Add

[ENG] Dock your boat in seconds with DOCKMATE - The Boat Show

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Rectangle and DockMate)

Rectangle

DockMate

Mac Tools

100 100%

Mac Tools

0% 0

Window Manager

98 98%

Window Manager

2% 2

Wallpapers

0 0%

Wallpapers

100% 100

Mac

100 100%

Mac

0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using Rectangle and DockMate. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

Reviews

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

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.

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

DockMate Reviews

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

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Rectangle seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 480 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 (480)

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 / 8 days 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 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 / 4 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 / 5 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 / 5 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 / 5 months ago