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Rectangle VS MacTiler

Compare Rectangle VS MacTiler and see what are their differences

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Contents:
  1. ยป Base Details
  2. ยป Videos
  3. ยป Reviews
  4. ยป Alternatives

Rectangle logo Rectangle

Window management app based on Spectacle, written in Swift.

MacTiler logo MacTiler

Split screen and organize windows on Mac with keyboard shortcuts, drag-and-drop zones, and professional layouts. Better than native Split View. Multi-monitor support.
  • Rectangle Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-20
  • MacTiler Landing page
    Landing page //
    2025-11-20

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.

MacTiler features and specs

  • Automatic Window Tiling
    MacTiler provides automatic window tiling functionality for macOS, helping users organize and manage multiple windows efficiently without manual resizing and repositioning.
  • Lightweight and Native
    As a dedicated macOS utility, MacTiler is designed to be lightweight and integrate natively with the macOS environment, minimizing system resource usage.
  • Improved Productivity
    By automatically arranging windows in a tiled layout, MacTiler helps users see multiple applications at once, reducing time spent switching between windows and boosting multitask productivity.
  • Simple and Focused
    MacTiler focuses specifically on window tiling without excessive features, making it straightforward to set up and use for users who just want basic tiling functionality on their Mac.
  • Fills a macOS Gap
    macOS historically lacked built-in robust tiling window management (prior to macOS Sequoia), and MacTiler fills this gap for users who want a tiling workflow similar to what Linux window managers offer.

Possible disadvantages of MacTiler

  • Limited Awareness and Community
    MacTiler is a relatively niche tool with a smaller user base compared to alternatives like Amethyst, Rectangle, or yabai, which means fewer community resources, tutorials, and troubleshooting support.
  • Potential Compatibility Issues
    As a third-party window management tool, MacTiler may encounter compatibility issues with certain macOS updates or specific applications that do not respond well to automated window resizing.
  • Limited Customization Options
    Compared to more mature and feature-rich alternatives like yabai, MacTiler may offer fewer customization options for advanced users who want granular control over tiling layouts and behaviors.
  • macOS Sequoia Competition
    With macOS Sequoia introducing native window tiling features, the need for a third-party tool like MacTiler is diminished for users on the latest macOS version.
  • Learning Curve for Non-Tiling Users
    Users accustomed to the traditional floating window paradigm on macOS may find the tiling approach unfamiliar and may need time to adapt their workflow to a tiling window manager.

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 MacTiler

Overall verdict

  • MacTiler appears to be a useful window management and tiling utility for macOS users who want to organize their workspace more efficiently, though as with any third-party tool, users should verify current features, pricing, and compatibility with their macOS version before committing.

Why this product is good

  • Provides automated window tiling and snapping to improve productivity on macOS
  • Helps users organize multiple applications and windows without manual resizing
  • Can offer keyboard shortcuts and customizable layouts for faster workflow
  • Useful for those with large or multiple monitors who need efficient screen real estate management

Recommended for

  • Power users who work with many applications open simultaneously
  • Developers and designers who benefit from organized, tiled layouts
  • Users with large or multi-monitor setups
  • Anyone seeking a more efficient alternative to macOS's built-in window management

Rectangle videos

+ Add

SKYWALKER RECTANGLE TRAMPOLINE REVIEW!!!

More videos:

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  • Review - Marvin Malton 160 Rectangle Flying Hour Watch Review

MacTiler videos

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

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Rectangle and MacTiler)

Rectangle

MacTiler

Mac Tools
99 99%
Mac Tools
1% 1
Window Manager
98 98%
Window Manager
2% 2
OSX Tools
96 96%
OSX Tools
4% 4
Mac
100 100%
Mac
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 MacTiler

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.
Source: www.maketecheasier.com
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.
Source: www.makeuseof.com

MacTiler Reviews

We have no reviews of MacTiler yet.
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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 / 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
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MacTiler mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of MacTiler yet. Tracking of MacTiler recommendations started around Nov 2025.

What are some alternatives?

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

Magnet Window Manager - Magnet Developers

NeoTiler - Organize your workspace instantly with smart layouts and shortcuts. Built for speed and simplicity on macOS.

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

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

BetterTouchTool - Nov 5, 2017 - BetterTouchTool is a great, feature packed app that allows you to configure many gestures for your Magic Mouse (1 & 2), Macbook Trackpad and Magic Trackpad (1 & 2) and also Mouse Gestures for normal mice.

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).

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