Software Alternatives & Startups

Rectangle VS PureMac

Compare Rectangle VS PureMac and see what are their differences

Rectangle

Window management app based on Spectacle, written in Swift.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
PureMac

Free, open-source macOS cleaner. CleanMyMac alternative with zero telemetry. Native SwiftUI, scheduled auto-cleaning, Xcode/Homebrew/system cache cleanup. MIT licensed. - momenbasel/PureMac

Rating
0 reviews

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Rectangle seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 480 times since March 2021.

social mentions
480 vs 0
Mac Tools popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 44

Base details

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

Rectangle
PureMac
Website rectangleapp.com github.com
Pricing
Open source
—
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Rectangle 5 features
PureMac 5 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.
  • Easy Installation
    PureMac provides a simple one-command installation process using a curl script, making it accessible even for users who are not highly technical.
  • Removes Bloatware
    PureMac helps clean up macOS by removing pre-installed Apple applications and services that users may not need, freeing up system resources and storage space.
  • Open Source
    Being hosted on GitHub, PureMac is open source, allowing users to inspect the code before running it and understand exactly what changes will be made to their system.
  • Lightweight Tool
    PureMac is a simple shell-based tool that doesn't require installing additional software or dependencies to function, keeping the system clean.
  • Customization of macOS
    The tool gives users more control over their macOS experience by allowing them to strip away unwanted default applications and tailor the system to their preferences.

Possible disadvantages

  • Potential System Instability
    Removing built-in macOS applications and services can lead to unexpected system behavior, crashes, or broken dependencies since some Apple apps are deeply integrated into the OS.
  • Security Risk from Curl Piping
    The installation method of piping a curl command directly to bash (curl | bash) is a well-known security anti-pattern, as it executes remote code without giving users a chance to review it first.
  • Difficult to Reverse
    Once system applications and services are removed, it may be difficult or impossible to restore them without reinstalling macOS, making the changes potentially irreversible.
  • Limited Documentation
    The project's README and documentation appear minimal, lacking detailed explanations of exactly which apps and services are removed and the potential consequences of each removal.
  • May Break macOS Updates
    Removing core Apple applications and components could interfere with future macOS updates, potentially causing update failures or requiring a clean install to upgrade the operating system.

Analysis

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

Rectangle
PureMac

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

  • PureMac appears to be a useful open-source resource for discovering curated, safe, and free Mac applications, making it a solid choice for Mac users looking for trustworthy software recommendations.

Why this product is good

  • Open-source and community-driven, offering transparency and the ability to contribute or verify listings
  • Curates free and safe Mac applications, saving users time searching for trustworthy software
  • Hosted on GitHub, making it easy to browse, star, and follow updates
  • Focuses specifically on the Mac ecosystem, providing relevant and targeted recommendations
  • No cost to use, aligning with its emphasis on free applications

Recommended for

  • Mac users seeking curated lists of free and safe applications
  • Developers and open-source enthusiasts who value transparency and community contributions
  • New Mac owners looking to discover essential software quickly
  • People who prefer vetted software recommendations over random web searches

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Rectangle 3 videos + Add
PureMac 0 videos + Add

SKYWALKER RECTANGLE TRAMPOLINE REVIEW!!!

More videos

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

No PureMac 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
PureMac
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
97% 97%
Mac
3% 3%

User comments

Share your experience with using Rectangle and PureMac. 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
PureMac 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 PureMac 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
PureMac 0 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 1 month 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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Tracking PureMac since Apr 2026.

Alternatives to Rectangle and PureMac

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