Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

TotalSpaces VS Cairo Shell

Compare TotalSpaces VS Cairo Shell and see what are their differences

TotalSpaces logo TotalSpaces

TotalSpaces provides a grid of spaces on OSX Lion

Cairo Shell logo Cairo Shell

Cairo is a desktop environment for Windows.
  • TotalSpaces Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-20
  • Cairo Shell Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-19

TotalSpaces features and specs

  • Improved Grid Layout
    TotalSpaces allows users to organize their desktops in a grid layout, providing a more intuitive and flexible way to manage multiple workspaces compared to the default linear setup in macOS.
  • Efficient Navigation
    The software enables quicker navigation between desktops using keyboard shortcuts and the ability to jump directly to specific spaces, improving productivity for users who manage many tasks.
  • Customizability
    Users can customize transitions and animations between desktops, as well as labeling each desktop for better organization and workflow management.
  • Compatibility with Mission Control
    TotalSpaces complements macOS' native Mission Control features, offering additional functionality without replacing the existing system entirely.

Possible disadvantages of TotalSpaces

  • Limited macOS Compatibility
    TotalSpaces is not compatible with the most recent versions of macOS, which limits its usability for users who have updated their operating systems.
  • Potential Stability Issues
    Some users report occasional crashes or stability issues, particularly on systems with lots of active applications or high resource demands.
  • Learning Curve
    New users might face a learning curve as they adjust to the interface and capabilities of TotalSpaces, which might slow down initial productivity.
  • Dependence on Third-Party Software
    Relying on a third-party application like TotalSpaces is a downside for users who prefer sticking to the native macOS ecosystem for integration and support reasons.

Cairo Shell features and specs

  • Customization
    Cairo Shell allows for extensive customization of the desktop environment, enabling users to tailor the user interface to their specific needs and preferences.
  • Efficiency
    The shell is designed to provide a more streamlined and efficient workflow by offering features like a customizable taskbar and better window management.
  • Aesthetic
    Cairo Shell offers a modern and visually appealing interface compared to the default Windows desktop environment, which might be more appealing to some users.
  • Open Source
    Being an open-source project, Cairo Shell is free to use and benefits from community contributions, fostering continuous improvement and bug fixes.
  • Unified Search
    Cairo Shell includes a unified search feature, which makes it easier to locate files, applications, and web content quickly from a single search bar.

Possible disadvantages of Cairo Shell

  • Compatibility
    Cairo Shell might not be fully compatible with all software and system configurations, which can lead to stability issues or reduced functionality.
  • Learning Curve
    New users might experience a learning curve when transitioning from the default Windows interface to Cairo Shell, impacting productivity until they become accustomed to the new environment.
  • Performance
    On some systems, Cairo Shell might consume more resources than the default Windows interface, potentially impacting system performance, especially on older hardware.
  • Support
    As a community-driven project, professional support might be limited compared to commercial software, potentially making it more challenging to resolve issues.
  • Feature Parity
    Cairo Shell might lack certain features available in the default Windows interface or other third-party shells, potentially limiting its usability for some users.

TotalSpaces videos

DIGITALYCHEE REVIEW: TotalSpaces for Mac

More videos:

  • Review - TotalSpaces · Gestiona los escritorios de tu Mac de manera eficiente
  • Tutorial - TotalSpaces2 & Screens - Mini Video Tutorial

Cairo Shell videos

No Cairo Shell videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to TotalSpaces and Cairo Shell)
Note Taking
41 41%
59% 59
Cloud Computing
64 64%
36% 36
Image Optimisation
31 31%
69% 69
OS & Utilities
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, TotalSpaces should be more popular than Cairo Shell. It has been mentiond 6 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.

TotalSpaces mentions (6)

  • Ice - open source bar manager for macOS
    This utility allows it https://totalspaces.binaryage.com/ You hit a keyboard shortcut, you get to the new space with 0 animation/transition. It can work with SIP on but only on macOS older than 10.14. They mention here this is due to some changes they make to the Dock https://totalspaces.binaryage.com/sip-details I'm not sure if the only part I care about (instant Spaces switching) would continue to work without... - Source: Hacker News / 12 months ago
  • Considering MBPs and am not sure (moving from Arch Linux on Lenovo X1 Carbon Gen 7)
    There is a little confusion as most macOS users are not familiar with the difference between a window manager and a window tiling manager. There are a ton of great window manager (Magnet is still one of the common ones around which you brought up, but Mosaic is my favorite. Most window apps have all the same or similar features, but Mosaic includes some really advanced layout options that you can save and then... Source: over 2 years ago
  • Can anyone please identify this virtual space switching app? (From a YouTube video)
    Maybe it's a(n older) version of TotalSpaces? Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Total Spaces Alternatives Yet?
    After macOS ditched the 2D space switching for the 1D thing, I got Total Spaces 2 which allows me to do the 2D space switching again. I absolutely love it and find it difficult to use the primitive built-in spaces management. However, I'm still on Big Sur v11.6, specifically because Monterey is wholly incompatible with Total Spaces, you can't even hack it to work. Unfortunately, Total Spaces 3 isn't out yet, and... Source: about 3 years ago
  • A Beautiful List of Beautiful Apps
    I also use their TotalSpaces2[3] which is an amazing Spaces manager. Highly recommend it if you run a lot of concurrent apps and windows. Once again, it's limited to <12.0 and Intel-only Macs, but they have a TotalSpaces3 in alpha they are working on trying to release at some point. Source: over 3 years ago
View more

Cairo Shell mentions (2)

  • Microsoft is turning Windows 11's Start Menu into an advertisement delivery system
    Back when I was an edgy teenager I tried every Windows desktop shell replacement available. My favorites were LiteStep and Emerge Desktop. I was there when Cairo Shell first emerged but has never tried a working version since I moved to other OSes before any usable version was out. I am now using Windows for work and I think it’s time to revisit these options. Source: over 2 years ago
  • My first personal server
    Hyper-V Server 2019 gets my vote, with the Cairo Desktop it's a near unbeatable setup. Add the FoD pack, browser of your choice, Windows Admin Center for local management of the entire system including virtualized guests. It's a very robust enterprise grade server that requires NO LICENSE and ends up having a very nice GUI for a core server. Source: over 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing TotalSpaces and Cairo Shell, you can also consider the following products

VirtuaWin - VirtuaWin is a virtual desktop manager for the Windows operating system (Win9x/ME/NT/Win2K/XP/Win2003/Vista/Win7/Win10). A virtual desktop manager lets you organize applications over several virtual desktops (also called 'workspaces').

Dexpot - If you don't have Dexpot yet, the new update makes it a must-have tool for Windows, adding a ton of features to your desktop that you never knew you wanted.

Sysinternals Desktops - Desktops allows you to organize your applications on up to four virtual desktops.

bug.n - Provide views (i. e. virtual desktops) for showing only those windows, which you need to do your work..

Virtuoz - Virtuoz was designed to be a minimal and robust program that allows to have more than one desktop...

bbLean - Alternative Windows shell