Software Alternatives & Startups

Rectangle VS Linear

Compare Rectangle VS Linear and see what are their differences

Rectangle

Window management app based on Spectacle, written in Swift.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
Linear

Streamlined issue tracking for software teams

Rating
0 reviews
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 should be more popular than Linear. It has been mentioned 480 times since March 2021.

social mentions
480 vs 164
Mac Tools popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

Rectangle
Linear
Website rectangleapp.com linear.app
Pricing
Open source
Company — Startup from the United States
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Rectangle 5 features
Linear 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.
  • User Interface
    Linear provides a clean and intuitive user interface, making it easy for users to navigate and manage tasks.
  • Performance
    The application is highly performant, with fast loading times and quick response to user actions.
  • Collaboration
    Linear supports excellent collaboration features, allowing teams to work together efficiently by assigning tasks, commenting, and tracking progress.
  • Integrations
    It offers a variety of integrations with other tools and services such as GitHub, Slack, and more, enhancing its functionality in a development workflow.
  • Keyboard Shortcuts
    Extensive keyboard shortcut support increases productivity by allowing users to perform actions quickly without leaving the keyboard.
  • Workflow Automation
    Linear provides robust workflow automation capabilities, enabling users to automate repetitive tasks and streamline processes.

Possible disadvantages

  • Pricing
    Some users may find the pricing model a bit expensive, especially for smaller teams or individual users.
  • Limited Customization
    While the default settings are user-friendly, there are limited options for customization compared to some other project management tools.
  • Dependency Management
    Linear's dependency management features are not as advanced as other tools, which might be a drawback for larger projects with complex dependencies.
  • Mobile App
    The mobile app, while functional, lacks some features available on the desktop version, which may impact productivity on the go.
  • Notification Overload
    Users might experience notification overload, which can be distracting, although it is possible to adjust notification settings.

Analysis

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

Rectangle
Linear

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

  • Yes, Linear is considered a good tool for project management and issue tracking, especially for technology and software development teams looking for an efficient, cohesive, and aesthetically pleasing solution.

Why this product is good

  • Linear is widely appreciated for its sleek design, intuitive user interface, and efficiency in project management and issue tracking. It offers seamless collaboration features, fast performance, and integration with numerous other tools, making it a preferred choice for many development teams. The application focuses on streamlining workflows and enhancing productivity by providing a powerful platform that combines simplicity and functionality.

Recommended for

  • Software development teams
  • Technology startups
  • Project managers seeking an efficient tool
  • Organizations looking to improve team collaboration
  • Teams using Agile methodologies

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Rectangle 3 videos + Add
Linear 3 videos + Add

SKYWALKER RECTANGLE TRAMPOLINE REVIEW!!!

More videos

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

Tealios V2 Review! Best Linear Mechanical Switch? Part 1

More videos

  • - Linear Algebra Final Review (Part 1) || Transformations, Matrix Inverse, Cramer's Rule, Determinants
  • - Linear Vs Exponential Pros vs Cons Full In Depth Review - Fortnite

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
Linear
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

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

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Reviews and articles

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

Rectangle no reviews yet
Linear 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

    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...

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Rectangle 480 mentions
Linear 164 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 2 months 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 / 6 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

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  • Opus 5.5 is good at explainer videos
    These presentations, like most LLM output, look good but aren’t very informative. The Jev one kept repeating the same point (Jev is by TypeSafe AI, Jev is faster and cheaper) - I bet I could condense it into like 4 slides. The linear one... - Source: Hacker News / 24 days ago
  • Details.o
    - Annoying takeover of browser scrolling Of course you would be impressed if you see something like this the first time. If every third company has websites like this, it gets annoying. I don't remember any of them They look cool on... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 month ago
  • The Tradeoff That Slows Production Teams Down: Flexibility vs Actually Shipping
    Speed matters. Not speed in sprint or linear dashboards. Not speed in story points. - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago

View more

Alternatives to Rectangle and Linear

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