Software Alternatives & Startups

SpeedFan VS Rectangle

Compare SpeedFan VS Rectangle and see what are their differences

SpeedFan

Hardware monitor for Windows that can access digital temperature sensors located on several 2-wire SMBus Serial Bus. Can access voltages and fan speeds and control fan speeds. Includes technical articles and docs.

Rating
0 reviews
Rectangle

Window management app based on Spectacle, written in Swift.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

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

social mentions
5 vs 480
Monitoring Tools popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
142 vs 240+

Base details

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

SpeedFan
Rectangle
Website almico.com rectangleapp.com
Pricing —
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

SpeedFan 6 features
Rectangle 5 features
  • Cost
    SpeedFan is free software, making it accessible to anyone without any financial investment.
  • Temperature Monitoring
    Allows users to monitor the temperature of various hardware components, such as CPU, GPU, and hard drives, helping to prevent overheating and extend hardware lifespan.
  • Fan Control
    Enables users to manually adjust the speed of fans, providing a balance between cooling performance and noise levels.
  • Customizable
    Offers extensive customization options, including automatic fan speed adjustments based on temperature thresholds and the ability to create user-defined profiles.
  • System Information
    Provides detailed system information, including voltages, CPU usage, and S.M.A.R.T data from hard drives.
  • Support for Multiple Sensors
    Supports a wide range of sensors from various manufacturers, making it compatible with many different hardware setups.

Possible disadvantages

  • User Interface
    The user interface is considered outdated and not very intuitive, which may be difficult for new users to navigate.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Some users report compatibility issues with specific hardware, particularly newer motherboard models and certain sensors.
  • Support and Updates
    Updates and official support have become sporadic, potentially leading to compatibility problems with newer hardware and operating systems.
  • Stability
    Users have experienced occasional stability issues, including crashes and incorrect fan speed readings.
  • Learning Curve
    Due to its extensive functionality, there is a steep learning curve for users who are not familiar with hardware monitoring and fan control software.
  • Potential Risks
    Improper use of manual fan control settings can potentially damage hardware components due to overheating or excessive strain on the fans.
  • 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.

Analysis

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

SpeedFan
Rectangle

Overall verdict

  • SpeedFan is considered a good tool for those who need precise control over their system's cooling settings. Its functionality and level of detail cater to users who are comfortable tweaking hardware settings. However, its interface and setup process might be challenging for beginners.

Why this product is good

  • SpeedFan is a popular utility for Windows users that provides access to temperature sensors and fan speed control. It is praised for its ability to monitor system temperatures and adjust fan speeds accordingly, which can help optimize system cooling and reduce noise. The software is particularly useful for tech-savvy users who want more control over their computer's thermal performance.

Recommended for

    SpeedFan is recommended for advanced users, overclockers, and anyone interested in detailed monitoring and customization of their PC's thermal management settings. It is especially beneficial for users who need to manage cooling in custom-built PCs or systems with specific cooling needs.

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.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

SpeedFan 3 videos + Add
Rectangle 3 videos + Add

How to set up SpeedFan - Free fan control software

More videos

  • - Speedfan Review
  • - SpeedFan Review Parte 1

SKYWALKER RECTANGLE TRAMPOLINE REVIEW!!!

More videos

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

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
SpeedFan
Rectangle
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using SpeedFan and Rectangle. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

Log in or Post with

Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

SpeedFan no reviews yet
Rectangle 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...

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

SpeedFan 5 mentions
Rectangle 480 mentions
  • I NEED HELP! How can I fix this?
    I use an app to check system temps: OpenHardwareMonitor. Some people like SpeedFan, does most of the same stuff. Source: almost 4 years ago
  • Question - Are the loading times supposed to be this bad right now??
    That's not super common (but it does happen ofc). It might be worth running a tool to scan the drive and take a peek at the SMART data. I typically use Speedfan https://almico.com/speedfan.php. Source: about 4 years ago
  • Computer has come back from a repair shop wiped and is missing A vital app I used to control fan speeds and I cant redownload it. Any alternative apps?
    You'll get better gpu support from Afterburner, but if you have a weird chipset or an incompatible fan controller, good old SpeedFan still has a few tricks. Source: about 4 years ago

View more

  • 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

View more

Alternatives to SpeedFan and Rectangle

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