Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Rectangle VS FocusList

Compare Rectangle VS FocusList and see what are their differences

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Rectangle logo Rectangle

Window management app based on Spectacle, written in Swift.

FocusList logo FocusList

Daily planner & focus timer based on timeboxing and pomodoro
  • Rectangle Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-20
  • FocusList Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-02-05

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.

FocusList features and specs

  • Productivity-Boosting Features
    FocusList incorporates the Pomodoro Technique, which can help users manage their time effectively and improve productivity by breaking tasks into focused intervals with short breaks.
  • Task Management
    The app allows for easy task management, enabling users to create, organize, and prioritize their to-do lists seamlessly, helping them stay on top of their workload.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    FocusList offers a clean and intuitive interface, making it easy for users to navigate and utilize the app's features without a steep learning curve.
  • Progress Tracking
    Users can track their productivity over time, enabling them to analyze their work habits and make data-driven adjustments to their routines.
  • Multiple Device Sync
    The app supports syncing across multiple devices, ensuring that users can access their task list and productivity data on the go.
  • Effective Focus Tools
    The app includes various focus tools designed to help users maintain concentration and productivity, such as Pomodoro timers and task prioritization features.
  • Cross-Platform Availability
    Escape is available on multiple platforms, including macOS and iOS, allowing users to sync their tasks and focus sessions across different devices.
  • Customization Options
    Users have the ability to customize their focus sessions, break times, and notification settings, tailoring the app to fit their specific productivity needs.
  • Data Visualization
    The app provides insightful data visualizations and reports, enabling users to track their productivity patterns over time and make informed adjustments to their routines.

Possible disadvantages of FocusList

  • Cost
    FocusList is a paid app, which could be a barrier for some users who are looking for free productivity tools.
  • Limited Platform Availability
    FocusList is not available on all platforms, which may limit its accessibility for users who do not own compatible devices.
  • Feature Set
    Some users may find the feature set limited compared to other, more comprehensive productivity apps that offer a wider array of tools and integrations.
  • Learning Curve for Some Features
    While the app is generally user-friendly, some features may still require a bit of a learning curve for users who are not familiar with productivity techniques or digital task management.
  • No Collaboration Tools
    FocusList lacks collaboration features, making it less suitable for team-based projects where task sharing and group communication are essential.
  • Limited Free Features
    The free version of Escape has limited features, which might not be sufficient for all users and could push them towards a subscription plan more quickly.
  • Premium Subscription Cost
    The cost of the premium subscription might be considered high by some users, especially if they are looking for a more budget-friendly solution.
  • No Android Support
    As of now, Escape is not available on Android, which limits its usability for those who do not own Apple devices.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While the basic interface is user-friendly, some of the more advanced features and customizations might require a bit of a learning curve to fully utilize.
  • Resource Intensive
    The app can be somewhat resource-intensive, which might slow down older devices or consume more battery life than some users would prefer.

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.

Analysis of FocusList

Overall verdict

  • FocusList is generally considered a good tool for productivity, particularly for users who benefit from time-blocking strategies like the Pomodoro Technique. Its simplicity and targeted functionality appeal to those who prefer a straightforward approach to task management.

Why this product is good

  • FocusList is a task management application that helps users boost productivity by using the Pomodoro Technique. It provides features such as task timers, progress tracking, and reports on work habits. This makes it suitable for individuals looking to enhance focus and efficiency in their work routines.

Recommended for

  • Students seeking improved study habits
  • Professionals managing multiple tasks
  • Individuals aiming to minimize distractions
  • Remote workers requiring structured workflows

Rectangle videos

SKYWALKER RECTANGLE TRAMPOLINE REVIEW!!!

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FocusList videos

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Rectangle and FocusList)
Mac Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Productivity
0 0%
100% 100
Window Manager
100 100%
0% 0
Time Tracking
0 0%
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 FocusList

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.
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.

FocusList Reviews

We have no reviews of FocusList 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 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 / 2 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 / 3 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 / 3 months ago
View more

FocusList mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of FocusList yet. Tracking of FocusList recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

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

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

Focus App - New Tab page that gives you a moment of calm and inspires you to be more productive.

Magnet Window Manager - Magnet Developers

Pomotodo - Todo-list based on Pomodoro technique.

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

Be Focused by XWaveSoft - Simple Pomodoro timer in your Mac's menu bar