Software Alternatives & Startups

Rectangle VS MacMenuBar

Compare Rectangle VS MacMenuBar and see what are their differences

Rectangle

Window management app based on Spectacle, written in Swift.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
MacMenuBar

A curated directory of 200+ Mac menu bar apps

Rating
0 reviews

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Rectangle seems to be a lot more popular than MacMenuBar. While we know about 480 links to Rectangle, we've tracked only 15 mentions of MacMenuBar.

social mentions
480 vs 15
Mac Tools popularity
98% vs 2%

Base details

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

Rectangle
MMB
MacMenuBar
Website rectangleapp.com macmenubar.com
Pricing
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Rectangle 5 features
MMB
MacMenuBar 4 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.
  • Ease of Access
    MacMenuBar provides an incredibly easy way to access your favorite applications and tools directly from the menu bar, minimizing the need to open new windows or navigate through folders.
  • Customizability
    Users can customize what appears in their menu bar, allowing for a highly personalized user interface that can adapt to individual workflows and preferences.
  • Space Efficiency
    By using the MacMenuBar, users can save space on their desktop and keep their work environment tidy, as everything is centralized in the menu bar.
  • Enhanced Productivity
    With essential tools and applications within easy reach, users often find their productivity improves due to the reduction in time spent switching between applications.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Space
    The menu bar has limited space and can become cluttered if too many items are added, which can lead to difficulty in finding and accessing specific tools quickly.
  • Potential for Distraction
    Having too many shortcuts and notifications visible in the menu bar might distract users, pulling focus from the task at hand.
  • Performance Impact
    Depending on how many applications are running in the menu bar, system performance might be slightly impacted, potentially slowing down the machine.
  • Learning Curve
    New users may find it challenging to initially set up and configure the menu bar to best suit their needs due to the range of customization options available.

Analysis

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

Rectangle
MMB
MacMenuBar

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.

No analysis of MacMenuBar yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Rectangle 3 videos + Add
MMB
MacMenuBar 0 videos + Add

SKYWALKER RECTANGLE TRAMPOLINE REVIEW!!!

More videos

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

No MacMenuBar videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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
MMB
MacMenuBar
98% 98%
2% 2%
84% 84%
Mac
16% 16%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Rectangle and MacMenuBar. 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
MMB
MacMenuBar 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...

We have no reviews of MacMenuBar 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
MMB
MacMenuBar 15 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 / 30 days 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

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  • This but for the Menu bar
    You may find it here: https://macmenubar.com/. Source: about 3 years ago
  • What is every single website that you currently have bookmarked right now? (mine are listed in the comments)
    Https://macmenubar.com/ (This cuz it's a cool tool for discovering new mac menu bar apps, and it's just a good database to keep saved if you're a mac user). Source: over 3 years ago
  • New company gave me a MacBook Pro 14 inch M2, 16 GB 512 SSD! First ever mac, what are some tip/tricks I should know ?
    Https://macmenubar.com/ is a great resource for finding menu bar apps. Source: over 3 years ago

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Alternatives to Rectangle and MacMenuBar

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