Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Rectangle VS Forklift

Compare Rectangle VS Forklift and see what are their differences

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.

Rectangle logo Rectangle

Window management app based on Spectacle, written in Swift.

Forklift logo Forklift

The most advanced dual pane file manager and file transfer client for macOS.
  • Rectangle Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-20
  • Forklift Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-11

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.

Forklift features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Forklift offers an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface that makes it simple for both beginners and experienced users to manage files efficiently.
  • Dual Pane
    The dual-pane layout allows users to handle files on two separate locations simultaneously, which can significantly speed up file management tasks.
  • FTP/SFTP Support
    Forklift includes robust support for FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, and other protocols, enabling users to manage files on remote servers seamlessly.
  • Cloud Storage Integration
    Offers integration with popular cloud storage services such as Amazon S3, Google Drive, and Dropbox, making it easier to manage files across different platforms.
  • Advanced Search and Filtering
    Forklift provides powerful search and filtering options, helping users quickly find files and folders based on various criteria.
  • Batch Renaming
    Users can rename multiple files at once using customizable patterns, which can save a lot of time and effort.
  • Folder Synchronization
    Forklift allows users to synchronize folders between local and remote locations, ensuring that files are always up to date.

Possible disadvantages of Forklift

  • macOS Only
    Forklift is available only for macOS, which limits its usability for users on other operating systems like Windows or Linux.
  • Paid Software
    Forklift is a premium software with a cost associated with it, which may not be suitable for users looking for a free solution.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, some advanced features may require a learning curve for users who are not familiar with file management tools.
  • Resource Intensive
    Some users have reported that Forklift can be resource-intensive, potentially slowing down older or less powerful machines.
  • Limited Customer Support
    Customer support options are somewhat limited and may not be as responsive as some users would like.

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 Forklift

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Forklift is generally considered a good tool for users needing advanced file management and transfer capabilities on macOS. Many users appreciate its versatility and ease of use.

Why this product is good

  • Forklift, developed by BinaryNights, is a well-regarded file transfer and management tool for macOS with features such as dual-pane browsing, batch renaming, and support for protocols like FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, and Amazon S3. Its intuitive interface and robust performance make it a favorite among users who need a reliable and efficient way to handle file management tasks.

Recommended for

    Forklift is recommended for macOS users who require advanced file management and transfer functionalities, such as web developers, IT professionals, and anyone managing large amounts of files across different servers and cloud services.

Rectangle videos

SKYWALKER RECTANGLE TRAMPOLINE REVIEW!!!

More videos:

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

Forklift videos

Forklift Review: Linde Series 393 Truck on Everyman Driver

More videos:

  • Review - Forklift Review: Linde Series 387 Electric Truck on Everyman Driver
  • Review - Cat Lift Trucks - Customer Review of DP70N Forklift - Mystic Seaport

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Rectangle and Forklift)
Mac Tools
100 100%
0% 0
FTP Client
0 0%
100% 100
Window Manager
100 100%
0% 0
File Transfer
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 Forklift

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.

Forklift Reviews

10 Best FTP Clients for WordPress Users (Mac and Windows)
ForkLift only works for Mac users, so Windows and Linux folks should look at some of the other FTP clients. As for choosing ForkLift based on features, consider it if youโ€™d like access to many remote connections, some of which include Google Drive, SMB, and NFS. This is also a premium software, so if you donโ€™t want to pay for an FTP client then you need to look for something...
Source: kinsta.com
7 FileZilla Alternatives: What Type of FTP Client Are You Looking for?
Are you an engineer looking for a premium FTP client designed for Mac users? Forklift is a popular option that lets you connect to multiple servers. For those who work in Finder a lot, Forklift will feel similar but offers extended functionality. Start with a basic dual-pane interface and use drag and drop to move files. Or, adjust the user interface to meet your needs from...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Rectangle seems to be a lot more popular than Forklift. While we know about 479 links to Rectangle, we've tracked only 36 mentions of Forklift. 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

Forklift mentions (36)

  • Show HN: Fast, native Mac file manager (filters, fuzzy find, 9 MB, no Electron)
    I used to have a greater need for a file manager in other jobs. I donโ€™t have the same need anymore but Forklift (https://binarynights.com/) has always been great and I still use it from time to time. - Source: Hacker News / 8 days ago
  • macOS Tips and Tricks
    I use Forklift instead : https://binarynights.com/ I can use it as an orthodox file manager. I also like using it to access remote filesystems over nfs and sftp, and also S3 buckets. It also works well with Dropbox and iCloud. There is a great sync feature to keep source and target directories synchronised. It's also good for diffing directories at a glance. Plus the regex file rename feature is often handy for me... - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • File Pilot: A file explorer built for speed with a modern, robust interface
    There has been for many years now: https://binarynights.com/. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • The Origins of DS_store (2006)
    I wholly agree with you on this one. Windows has its fair share of issues, but Windows Explorer feels like peak file browsing to me. For MacOS I can recommend Forklift [0]. I've been using it for years and it is a bit closer to the Windows Explorer way of doing things. Does what it is meant to do. Affordable. No nags. Gets out of the way. Not perfect, but soooo much better than the horrific experience that is... - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • macOS Finder is still bad at network file copies
    Forklift (https://binarynights.com/) and Path Finder (https://www.cocoatech.io/) are the two big ones I think. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

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

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

FileZilla - FileZilla is an FTP, or file transfer protocol, client. It lets individuals transfer single files or batches to a web server. For many years, FTP was the standard for website design. Read more about FileZilla.

Magnet Window Manager - Magnet Developers

Transmit - Transmit is an FTP client for Mac OS X and Mac OS Classic (which is unsupported).

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

Cyberduck - A libre FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, S3, Backblaze B2, Azure & OpenStack Swift browser.