Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Rectangle VS Witch

Compare Rectangle VS Witch and see what are their differences

Rectangle logo Rectangle

Window management app based on Spectacle, written in Swift.

Witch logo Witch

Welcome to the world of W. i. t. c. h.
  • Rectangle Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-20
  • Witch Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-22

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.

Witch features and specs

  • Improved Window Management
    Witch allows users to easily switch between open windows, not just applications, making multitasking more efficient.
  • Customizable Settings
    Users can customize various settings, such as window switching behavior and appearance, to better suit their workflow and preferences.
  • Keyboard Shortcuts
    Witch supports customizable keyboard shortcuts, providing quick access to window management functions without relying on the mouse.
  • Application-Specific Navigation
    Users can navigate through different windows of the same application, which is particularly useful for applications with multiple open documents or instances.
  • Integration with macOS
    Witch integrates well with macOS, enhancing the native window switching capabilities without requiring significant changes to the existing workflow.

Possible disadvantages of Witch

  • Price
    Witch is a paid application, which may be a deterrent for users who are seeking free alternatives for window management.
  • Learning Curve
    New users might need some time to fully understand and configure Witch to their liking, which can be a slight barrier to initial productivity.
  • Possible Redundancy
    For users who are satisfied with the built-in macOS window management features, Witch might add unnecessary complexity without significant benefits.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Updates to macOS may occasionally cause compatibility issues with Witch, requiring users to wait for updates from the developer.
  • Resource Usage
    While not typically significant, Witch does consume system resources, which might be a concern for users on older or less powerful machines.

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 Witch

Overall verdict

  • Witch is generally considered a good tool for those who require more control over window management on macOS. It is reliable, integrates well with the macOS environment, and offers a level of customization that can cater to various workflow preferences.

Why this product is good

  • Witch by Many Tricks is a utility for macOS designed to enhance window management. Users appreciate its ability to switch between not only applications but also individual windows using simple keyboard shortcuts. This added functionality can significantly improve productivity, especially for power users who often work with multiple windows and need a more refined navigation tool than the standard macOS application switcher.

Recommended for

  • Mac users who multitask frequently and need efficient window management
  • Individuals looking for an alternative to the default macOS app switcher
  • Power users who prefer keyboard shortcuts for enhanced productivity

Rectangle videos

SKYWALKER RECTANGLE TRAMPOLINE REVIEW!!!

More videos:

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

Witch videos

The Witch - Movie Review

More videos:

  • Review - The Witch - movie review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Rectangle and Witch)
Mac Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Window Manager
90 90%
10% 10
Mac
84 84%
16% 16
Note Taking
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 Witch

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.
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.

Witch Reviews

We have no reviews of Witch yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Rectangle seems to be a lot more popular than Witch. While we know about 479 links to Rectangle, we've tracked only 28 mentions of Witch. 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 / 4 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 / 4 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 / 4 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
  • 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 / 5 months ago
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Witch mentions (28)

  • Show HN: What if your menu bar was a keyboard-controlled command center?
    I spotted the very underrated Bloom [1] in the screenshots and thought I should give it a shout in here. I've been using it, along with Witch [2] as an app switcher so that I can hide the Finder icon, for about 2 months and love it. [1] https://bloomapp.club [2] https://manytricks.com/witch/. - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
  • macOS Tips and Tricks
    - check out Witch (https://manytricks.com/witch/). - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Loop: Open-Source macOS Window Manager
    There's at least Witch and Contexts. https://manytricks.com/witch/ https://contexts.co/. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • US sues Adobe for 'deceiving' subscriptions that are too hard to cancel
    There are multiple 3rd party window switchers, Witch is a popular one, afair: https://manytricks.com/witch/. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • App Switcher on MAC
    I tried a lot, and https://manytricks.com/witch/ is what I stuck with for the ONLY decent alt tab experience I could find (itโ€™s heavily customizable). I donโ€™t understand this number thing, finding them like that takes the same reading action you could be doing while you press alt tab for eachโ€ฆ and youโ€™d be done, but instead I see so many apps offer that number route. It just seems like double work to me ;). Source: about 3 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

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

Magnet Window Manager - Magnet Developers

Contexts - Switch between application windows effortlessly โ€” with Fast Search, a better Command-Tab, a Sidebar or even a quick gesture. Free trial available.

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

Compiz - Project information. Maintainer: PS Project Management Team. Driver: Compiz Maintainers. Licence: GNU GPL v2, GNU LGPL v2. 1, MIT / X / Expat Licence.

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

Hyperswitch - HyperSwitch provides a compelling alternative to HyperDock for keyboard junkies. What's New