Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Rectangle VS HyperDock

Compare Rectangle VS HyperDock and see what are their differences

Rectangle logo Rectangle

Window management app based on Spectacle, written in Swift.

HyperDock logo HyperDock

Select windows by moving the mouse over a dock item and more. FaqFrequently Asked Questions. HyperDock shows "Trial .
  • Rectangle Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-20
  • HyperDock Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-16

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.

HyperDock features and specs

  • Window Previews
    HyperDock provides live thumbnail previews of open windows when you hover over an app's icon in the Dock, making it easier to switch between multiple open windows.
  • Window Management
    The app allows for snap-to-edge capabilities and advanced window management features, enabling better organization of your workspace.
  • iTunes/Spotify Controls
    The app allows you to control iTunes and Spotify directly from the Dock, providing convenient access to playback functions without switching apps.
  • Calendar Integration
    Hovering over Calendar in the Dock shows your upcoming events and offers a quick glance at your schedule.
  • Multi-Monitor Support
    HyperDock supports multiple monitors, allowing you to extend its window management features across different screens.

Possible disadvantages of HyperDock

  • Price
    HyperDock is not free and requires a purchase after the trial period, which might be a drawback for users looking for budget-friendly options.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Some users have reported compatibility issues with newer versions of macOS, leading to unstable performance or limited functionality.
  • Limited Customization
    While HyperDock offers several useful features, it doesn't provide extensive customization options compared to other dock enhancement tools.
  • Learning Curve
    New users might find the array of features overwhelming and may require some time to fully utilize its capabilities.
  • Resource Usage
    Running HyperDock can consume additional system resources, which might be a concern for users with older or less powerful systems.

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 HyperDock

Overall verdict

  • HyperDock is generally considered a good tool for Mac users seeking improved task management and efficiency. It offers robust features that can streamline window management and provide additional functionality not natively available in macOS. However, it may not be necessary for all users, particularly those who are satisfied with the default macOS features or who use other window management tools.

Why this product is good

  • HyperDock is a productivity application for macOS that enhances window management and workflow efficiency. It's known for its ability to offer window previews, advanced window snapping, and customizable shortcuts, helping users who work with multiple applications on their desktop to organize their workspace better. It also provides features like window previews and quick access to media controls, which can enhance overall user experience and productivity.

Recommended for

    HyperDock is recommended for power users and those who frequently multitask with several applications open simultaneously. It's particularly useful for users who want more control over their application windows and prefer customizable shortcuts to streamline their workflows. It's also a good choice for users who enjoy having quick access to features like window previews and media controls.

Rectangle videos

SKYWALKER RECTANGLE TRAMPOLINE REVIEW!!!

More videos:

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

HyperDock videos

HyperDock (It's Life-changing) for Mac Review and Demo

More videos:

  • Review - HyperDock: Add app preview windows to the Dock on OS X
  • Review - HyperDock for Mac - App Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Rectangle and HyperDock)
Mac Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Window Manager
87 87%
13% 13
OSX Tools
85 85%
15% 15
Mac
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 HyperDock

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.

HyperDock Reviews

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

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Rectangle seems to be a lot more popular than HyperDock. While we know about 479 links to Rectangle, we've tracked only 16 mentions of HyperDock. 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 / 4 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 / 4 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 / 4 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
  • 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 / 5 months ago
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HyperDock mentions (16)

  • HyperDock still works!!!
    Even though Apple is deprecating the API for apps to record the screen like in AltTab and Shottr, HyperDock still continues to work properly! For those who don't know HyperDock is a system extension that brings over window previews from windows, it also brings a few other features, it costs $9.95USD for a license but is worth it, although since it was last updated during the MacOS tiger era it may stop working any... Source: about 3 years ago
  • Is there no better app than Magnet that is similar to Windows?
    Try HyperDock. Thank me later. Windows will get you covered ;). Source: over 3 years ago
  • Light app that gives you Windows-like previews of multiple app windows?
    Hyperdock shows previews of multiple apps by hovering over them in the dock - https://bahoom.com/hyperdock. Source: over 3 years ago
  • List of useful tools and helpers for MacOs
    Here's my search for an replacement of this genius but end of life software. It was last updated in September 2018, rip :( I have used hyperdock for a very long time. Loved the features and the custom settings. Now with MacOS Ventura sadly it doesn't work anymore. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Simple Questions and Help Thread - Week of September 18, 2022
    I've gotten my first Windows machine in maybe 10 years -- is there an app that has the same window management features as Hyperdock for Mac: e.g. Let me resize or move a window simply by holding down hotkeys and moving the mouse while it's over said window (without clicking or dragging)? Source: almost 4 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

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

Magnet Window Manager - Magnet Developers

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).

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

Hammerspoon - This is a tool for powerful automation of OS X.

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

Shiftit - fikovnik has 62 repositories available. Follow their code on GitHub.