Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Rectangle VS OpenELEC

Compare Rectangle VS OpenELEC and see what are their differences

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Rectangle logo Rectangle

Window management app based on Spectacle, written in Swift.

OpenELEC logo OpenELEC

OpenELEC, which stands for Open Embedded Linux Entertainment Center, is a Linux operating system that makes the host computer a Kodi media center. The software was the winner of the Swiss Opensource Award in 2014.
  • Rectangle Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-20
  • OpenELEC Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-01-29

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.

OpenELEC features and specs

  • Lightweight
    OpenELEC is a lightweight operating system that is designed to run Kodi on minimal hardware, making it ideal for older devices.
  • Ease of Use
    OpenELEC provides a simple user interface and straightforward installation process, which is appealing to users looking for an out-of-the-box media center solution.
  • Dedicated Media Center OS
    Being dedicated solely to running Kodi, OpenELEC offers optimized performance and a streamlined system for media playback.
  • Cost-Effective
    OpenELEC is open-source and free to use, which is beneficial for users looking for a cost-effective media center setup.
  • Strong Community Support
    OpenELEC has a robust community of users and developers who provide support, share knowledge, and contribute to its development.

Possible disadvantages of OpenELEC

  • Limited Functionality
    As a minimalistic operating system, OpenELEC may not support additional services or applications beyond its primary function as a media center.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    OpenELEC may have limited compatibility with certain hardware components or peripherals, which could require users to ensure compatibility beforehand.
  • Less Frequent Updates
    Compared to some other media center solutions or operating systems, OpenELEC may receive updates less frequently, potentially affecting access to new features or security patches.
  • Limited Customization
    Due to its focus on simplicity and ease of use, OpenELEC offers fewer customization options compared to other more flexible operating systems.
  • Potential Stability Issues
    Some users have reported stability issues, particularly when using newer versions or hardware, which may impact overall user experience.

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.

Rectangle videos

SKYWALKER RECTANGLE TRAMPOLINE REVIEW!!!

More videos:

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

OpenELEC videos

My HTPC Is Now Running OpenELEC

More videos:

  • Review - OpenELEC Installation Guide 2019

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Rectangle and OpenELEC)
Mac Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Video
0 0%
100% 100
Window Manager
100 100%
0% 0
Media Player
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 OpenELEC

Rectangle Reviews

Best 6 Mac Window Managers
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 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 – such as BetterSnapTool, Magnet, and Rectangle – 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.

OpenELEC Reviews

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

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Rectangle seems to be a lot more popular than OpenELEC. While we know about 480 links to Rectangle, we've tracked only 2 mentions of OpenELEC. 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 (480)

  • 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 / 9 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 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 — https://rectangleapp.com The ones who don't use it is because they don’t know it exists. - Source: Hacker News / 5 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 / 5 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
View more

OpenELEC mentions (2)

  • Does Kodi support HDR passthrough using an x86 processor or an nvidia/AMD dGPU on Linux now?
    Its all good. I use to run Kodi on a HTPC that I built with openelec and it was pretty stable. I am not sure if it is available anymore (openelec.tv) it was a linux distro. I switched to NVidia shield due to the accessibility to Netflix and Amazon and I have not looked back. Oh an its cheaper than a HTPC I think... Source: over 4 years ago
  • Got Jellyfin a few days ago and LOVE the web version, but bad Roku app is a dealbreaker. Before I can it, are there any work arounds you guys have found?
    I know there are various customized distros for the RasPi, such as OpenElec, but as a staunch Linux and FLOSS advocate I still don't think that's what most people are searching for when they look for a streaming device these days. Source: over 5 years ago

What are some alternatives?

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

Magnet Window Manager - Magnet Developers

GeeXboX - Dec 3, 2017 - . Author: Tomtom 1 Comment. Hi,.

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

LibreELEC - LibreELEC is ‘Just enough OS’ for Kodi, a Linux distribution built to run Kodi on current and...

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

LinuxMCE - Home Automation based on Linux combining the most powerful OpenSource Projects around.