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Rectangle VS EssentialPIM

Compare Rectangle VS EssentialPIM and see what are their differences

Rectangle

Window management app based on Spectacle, written in Swift.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
Alternatives Is it good?
EssentialPIM

EssentialPIM is a free Personal Information Manager that keeps up with the times and lets you manage appointments, tasks, notes, contacts, password entries and email messages across multiple devices and cloud applications.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Paid Free trial $39.95 / One-off
Alternatives Is it good?
Resettle
Unplug a monitor and macOS piles your windows onto the laptop. Resettle remembers where every window goes on each setup and puts it back. $14.99 once. sponsored
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 more popular. It has been mentioned 480 times since March 2021.

social mentions
480 vs 0
Mac Tools popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

Rectangle
EssentialPIM
Website rectangleapp.com essentialpim.com
Pricing
Open source
Paid Free trial $39.95 / One-off Official pricing
Platforms —
Windows Android iOS
Listed in
Mac Tools Window Manager Mac Developer Tools +1
Task Management Email Clients Email Appointment Scheduling Note Taking Password Management Email Management +4

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Rectangle 5 features
EssentialPIM 6 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.
  • Comprehensive Feature Set
    EssentialPIM provides a wide range of features including email, calendar, tasks, notes, and contacts, all integrated into a single platform. This makes it a versatile solution for personal information management.
  • Cross-platform Compatibility
    EssentialPIM is available on multiple platforms including Windows, Android, and iOS, facilitating seamless synchronization and access to your data across various devices.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The application features an intuitive and easy-to-use interface, making it accessible for users with different levels of technical expertise.
  • Security Features
    EssentialPIM offers strong security measures, including encryption for sensitive data, ensuring that your personal information remains protected.
  • Customizability
    The software allows for a high degree of customization, enabling users to tailor the interface and functionality to suit their personal needs and preferences.
  • Affordable Pricing
    EssentialPIM offers a free version with essential features, and its paid versions are reasonably priced, providing good value for the range of functionalities offered.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Email Functionality
    While EssentialPIM includes an email client, it may not be as robust as standalone email applications, lacking some advanced features that power users might expect.
  • Windows-Focused
    Although cross-platform, EssentialPIM's most comprehensive feature set is available on Windows, potentially limiting the experience for users on other operating systems.
  • Occasional Sync Issues
    Some users have reported occasional synchronization issues between devices, which can affect the reliability of data being up-to-date across platforms.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, the wide array of features may present a learning curve for new users who need time to explore and become comfortable with all functionalities.
  • Limited Integration
    EssentialPIM offers limited integration with third-party applications and services compared to some other personal information management tools, possibly restricting its utility for users relying on a broader ecosystem of apps.

Analysis

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

Rectangle
EssentialPIM

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.

Overall verdict

  • EssentialPIM is generally considered a good choice for users who require a comprehensive and easy-to-use PIM application. Its robust feature set, coupled with a reasonable price point for the Pro version, makes it a compelling option for individuals and small businesses. However, users should weigh their specific needs, such as integration with other applications or advanced task management features, before committing.

Why this product is good

  • EssentialPIM is a personal information manager that combines several productivity tools such as calendars, to-do lists, contacts, notes, and email management in one application. It is praised for being user-friendly, flexible, and feature-rich, which makes it appealing to users who need an integrated solution for organizing their personal and professional information. Additionally, its ability to sync data across multiple platforms and devices enhances its utility for users who need consistent access to their information.

Recommended for

    EssentialPIM is recommended for individuals, freelancers, and small businesses seeking a centralized and efficient tool for managing various types of information. It is especially beneficial for those who prefer an all-in-one application to keep track of meetings, tasks, contacts, and emails without needing multiple separate apps.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Rectangle 3 videos + Add
EssentialPIM 1 video + Add

SKYWALKER RECTANGLE TRAMPOLINE REVIEW!!!

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EssentialPIM Video

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
EssentialPIM
100% 100%
Mac Tools
0% 0%
0% 0%
Task Management
100% 100%
100% 100%
Window Manager
0% 0%
0% 0%
Office & Productivity
100% 100%

User comments

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Rectangle no reviews yet
EssentialPIM 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
    www.maketecheasier.com · May 2023

    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 EssentialPIM 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
EssentialPIM 0 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 / 5 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

View more

Tracking EssentialPIM since Mar 2021.

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