Software Alternatives & Startups

Rectangle VS Window Maker

Compare Rectangle VS Window Maker and see what are their differences

Rectangle

Window management app based on Spectacle, written in Swift.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
Window Maker

Window Maker is a free and open-source window manager for the X Window System

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Rectangle seems to be a lot more popular than Window Maker. While we know about 480 links to Rectangle, we've tracked only 1 mention of Window Maker.

social mentions
480 vs 1
Mac Tools popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 33

Base details

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

Rectangle
WM
Window Maker
Website rectangleapp.com windowmaker.org
Pricing
Open source
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Rectangle 5 features
WM
Window Maker 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.
  • Lightweight
    Window Maker is known for its low resource consumption, making it ideal for older computers and systems with limited hardware capabilities.
  • Fast Performance
    Due to its minimalistic design, Window Maker offers fast performance and quick response times, enhancing the user experience.
  • Customizability
    Users have significant flexibility to customize the appearance and functionality of the desktop environment to suit their personal preferences.
  • GNUstep Integration
    It offers seamless integration with GNUstep, supporting a consistent environment for applications developed with this framework.
  • Stable and Mature
    As a long-standing project, Window Maker has a history of stability and has been thoroughly tested over many years, ensuring reliability.

Possible disadvantages

  • Steeper Learning Curve
    New users may find it challenging to configure and operate due to its unique interface and design paradigms compared to more conventional desktop environments.
  • Limited Features
    Compared to modern desktop environments, Window Maker may lack some advanced features and conveniences, which could be a downside for users expecting them.
  • Less Active Development
    Window Maker does not receive updates as frequently as some other environments, which may affect the availability of new features and bug fixes.
  • Compatibility
    While it integrates well with GNUstep, compatibility issues may arise with applications not designed with this framework in mind.

Analysis

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

Rectangle
WM
Window Maker

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 Window Maker yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Rectangle 3 videos + Add
WM
Window Maker 1 video + Add

SKYWALKER RECTANGLE TRAMPOLINE REVIEW!!!

More videos

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

Testor Window Maker

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
WM
Window Maker
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
98% 98%
2% 2%
100% 100%
Mac
0% 0%

User comments

Share your experience with using Rectangle and Window Maker. 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
WM
Window Maker 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 Window Maker 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
WM
Window Maker 1 mention
  • 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 / 6 months ago

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Alternatives to Rectangle and Window Maker

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