Software Alternatives & Startups

Rectangle VS Stack WM

Compare Rectangle VS Stack WM and see what are their differences

Rectangle

Window management app based on Spectacle, written in Swift.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
Stack WM

Better window manager for Windows

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Rectangle seems to be a lot more popular than Stack WM. While we know about 480 links to Rectangle, we've tracked only 5 mentions of Stack WM.

social mentions
480 vs 5
Mac Tools popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 60

Base details

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

Rectangle
Stack WM
Website rectangleapp.com losttech.software
Pricing
Open source
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Rectangle 5 features
Stack WM 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.
  • Resource Efficiency
    Stack WM is designed to be lightweight and efficient, consuming minimal system resources, which can lead to better performance on older or less powerful hardware.
  • Customizability
    The window manager offers significant customization options, allowing users to tailor the interface and functionality to their specific needs and preferences.
  • Tiling Features
    It provides automatic tiling of windows, which can improve workflow and multitasking by making better use of screen real estate.
  • Keyboard Shortcuts
    Offers a variety of configurable keyboard shortcuts to improve navigation speed and efficiency, reducing the reliance on a mouse.
  • Open-Source
    Being open-source, it allows developers to view, modify, and contribute to the codebase, fostering a community of collaborative improvement.

Possible disadvantages

  • Steep Learning Curve
    New users may find it difficult to learn and configure as it does not provide a standard desktop environment with typical graphical tools.
  • Limited Graphical Tools
    Unlike more mainstream desktop environments, Stack WM does not come with many built-in graphical configuration tools, which may necessitate manual configuration file editing.
  • Compatibility
    Some users might face compatibility issues with certain applications designed mainly for more popular environments, necessitating additional configuration or troubleshooting.
  • Niche User Base
    Being a less widely used window manager, it has a smaller community, which can mean fewer resources and support options are available online.
  • Potential Stability Issues
    As with many lightweight or less commonly used software solutions, users might encounter bugs or stability issues that have yet to be fully addressed.

Analysis

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

Rectangle
Stack WM

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 Stack WM yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Rectangle 3 videos + Add
Stack WM 0 videos + Add

SKYWALKER RECTANGLE TRAMPOLINE REVIEW!!!

More videos

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

No Stack WM 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
Stack WM
100% 100%
0% 0%
94% 94%
6% 6%
90% 90%
10% 10%
100% 100%
Mac
0% 0%

User comments

Share your experience with using Rectangle and Stack WM. 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
Stack WM 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 Stack WM 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
Stack WM 5 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 / 7 months ago

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  • Show HN: A tiling window manager like i3wm written in C#
    What is the license? I am author of Stack WM [1]. Also C#, but all the configuration and layouts are defined in WPF XAML and are generally static (e.g. Like PowerToys, but much more flexible due to WPF containers and data binding + you... - Source: Hacker News / over 4 years ago
  • A terminal with UI like visual code
    > I could envision a WM that allows you to group windows together into tabs There's one on Windows, that has the tabs feature: https://losttech.software/stack.html Disclaimer: I made it. - Source: Hacker News / over 4 years ago
  • KDE: A Nice Tiling Environment and a Surprisingly DE
    Disclaimer: I am the author. For Windows I made Stack WM: https://losttech.software/stack.html I works differently from i3: you _predefine_ screen zones (possibly overlapping), and then just move your windows between them with keyboard... - Source: Hacker News / over 4 years ago

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Alternatives to Rectangle and Stack WM

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