Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SmartSystemMenu VS yabai

Compare SmartSystemMenu VS yabai and see what are their differences

SmartSystemMenu logo SmartSystemMenu

SmartSystemMenu extends system menu of all windows in the system

yabai logo yabai

A tiling window manager for macOS based on binary space partitioning
  • SmartSystemMenu Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-11
  • yabai Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-26

SmartSystemMenu features and specs

  • Enhanced Window Management
    SmartSystemMenu allows users to manage their application windows more efficiently by adding new features like resizing, aligning, and setting window transparency.
  • Customization
    The tool provides various customization options that let users tailor the settings according to their preferences, enhancing the overall user experience.
  • System Integration
    It integrates seamlessly into the Windows system menu, making it feel like a built-in feature rather than a third-party application.
  • Open Source
    Being an open-source project, it is freely available to the public and can be modified or extended by anyone with programming knowledge.
  • Lightweight
    The application is lightweight and does not consume significant system resources, ensuring that it does not slow down the computer.

Possible disadvantages of SmartSystemMenu

  • Potential Compatibility Issues
    Because it integrates deeply with the Windows system, it might have compatibility issues with certain versions of Windows or with other third-party applications.
  • Learning Curve
    New users might find some of the advanced features difficult to understand and use effectively, leading to a steeper learning curve.
  • Limited Support
    As an open-source project, official support is limited. Users may have to rely on community forums for troubleshooting and assistance.
  • Updates and Maintenance
    The project’s updates and maintenance schedule could be inconsistent, depending on the contributors’ availability and interest.
  • Security Risks
    Being open-source also means that malicious actors can examine the code for vulnerabilities. Users need to ensure they download it from a trusted source and stay vigilant about security issues.

yabai features and specs

  • Efficient Window Management
    Yabai provides advanced tiling window management for macOS, greatly increasing productivity by allowing users to manage windows through keyboard shortcuts and layouts, minimizing the need for mouse interactions.
  • Highly Customizable
    The software offers extensive configuration options, enabling users to personalize their window management experience according to their specific workflow and preferences.
  • Open Source
    Being open source, Yabai is free to use and modify, allowing the community to contribute to its development and enhancement. This fosters a collaborative environment for improving the software.
  • Supports Scripting
    Yabai supports scripting through AppleScript or shell commands, enabling users to automate complex workflows and integrate Yabai with other tools and applications seamlessly.
  • Lightweight
    Yabai is designed to be a lightweight window manager, which means it consumes minimal system resources, ensuring that your Mac continues to run smoothly even with numerous active windows.

Possible disadvantages of yabai

  • Steep Learning Curve
    For beginners, the configuration and use of Yabai can be daunting, requiring a significant amount of time and effort to fully understand and utilize its capabilities effectively.
  • Requires SIP Disablement
    To utilize some of Yabai's more advanced features, users need to partially disable System Integrity Protection (SIP), which can reduce the overall security of the macOS system.
  • Potential Compatibility Issues
    As macOS updates and changes, compatibility issues may arise, potentially breaking functionality. Users may need to wait for updates from the developer community to resolve these issues.
  • Limited Official Support
    As an open-source project, Yabai does not come with official support channels. Users must rely on community forums and documentation, which may not always provide immediate or comprehensive assistance.
  • Complex Configurations
    Setting up Yabai to fit specific needs can be complex and time-consuming, especially for users who are not familiar with scripting or advanced configuration files.

Analysis of yabai

Overall verdict

  • Yabai is highly regarded among users who seek advanced customization and control over their macOS window management. However, it may have a steep learning curve for those unfamiliar with tiling window managers or command-line tools.

Why this product is good

  • Yabai is a popular tiling window manager for macOS, designed to streamline and enhance window management through robust keyboard shortcuts and automation features. It is particularly appreciated for its flexibility and efficiency in organizing a large number of open applications, contributing to a more productive workflow.

Recommended for

  • Developers who need efficient multitasking tools.
  • Users comfortable with the command line who enjoy customizing their environment.
  • Power users looking to optimize their macOS user experience.

SmartSystemMenu videos

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yabai videos

Yabai Demonstration

More videos:

  • Demo - yabai macOS Tiling Window Manager Demonstration

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SmartSystemMenu and yabai)
Image Optimisation
100 100%
0% 0
Window Manager
17 17%
83% 83
OSX Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Note Taking
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, yabai seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 133 times since March 2021. 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.

SmartSystemMenu mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of SmartSystemMenu yet. Tracking of SmartSystemMenu recommendations started around Mar 2021.

yabai mentions (133)

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing SmartSystemMenu and yabai, you can also consider the following products

RBTray - Allows almost any program to be minimized to the system tray by right clicking its minimize button.

Rectangle - Window management app based on Spectacle, written in Swift.

4t Tray Minimizer - 4t Tray Minimizer Free/Pro - Minimize Outlook, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome and any other applications to the system tray!

Moom - Move your mouse over the green zoom button in any window, and Moom's mouse control overlay will appear (as seen in the above animation).

Minime - Minime is a tool that allows you to minimize applications to the system tray using a simple hotkey.

Magnet Window Manager - Magnet Developers