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WindowGrid VS yabai

Compare WindowGrid VS yabai and see what are their differences

Contents:
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  2. » Videos
  3. » Reviews
  4. » Alternatives

WindowGrid logo WindowGrid

Quickly and easily layout windows on a dynamic grid using just the mouse.

yabai logo yabai

A tiling window manager for macOS based on binary space partitioning
  • WindowGrid Landing page
    Landing page //
    2020-03-18
  • yabai Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-26

WindowGrid features and specs

  • Free to Use
    WindowGrid is available as a free tool, making it accessible for all users without any cost.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The software provides an intuitive interface that is easy to navigate, allowing users to quickly learn how to use the application.
  • Customizable Grid Layouts
    WindowGrid allows users to customize their grid layouts, providing flexibility in organizing and managing window positions.
  • Lightweight Application
    The tool is lightweight and does not consume significant system resources, making it a suitable choice for users with lower-end hardware.
  • Improved Productivity
    By simplifying window management, WindowGrid can help enhance productivity as users can efficiently organize their workspace.

Possible disadvantages of WindowGrid

  • Limited Features
    Compared to more robust window management tools, WindowGrid offers fewer features and customization options.
  • Windows-Only
    WindowGrid is only available for the Windows operating system, which limits its usability for Mac and Linux users.
  • No Frequent Updates
    The software does not receive updates regularly, which may result in compatibility issues with newer versions of Windows or lack of new features.
  • No Support for Multiple Displays
    WindowGrid has limited functionality when it comes to managing windows across multiple displays, which can be a drawback for users with multi-monitor setups.
  • No Customer Support
    The tool lacks formal customer support, which may make it difficult for users to resolve any issues they encounter while using the software.

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 WindowGrid

Overall verdict

  • Overall, WindowGrid is well-regarded for its ease of use, simplicity, and ability to enhance workflow productivity. It is considered a good tool for users looking to optimize their screen real estate effectively.

Why this product is good

  • WindowGrid is a popular virtual desktop manager that offers users flexibility and efficiency in organizing their display space. Its intuitive drag-and-snap grid system makes managing multiple windows on large or multi-monitor setups straightforward. It is lightweight, doesn't consume much system resources, and provides a significant productivity boost for users who work with numerous applications simultaneously.

Recommended for

    WindowGrid is recommended for professionals, such as developers, designers, and anyone who requires efficient window management to improve their multitasking capabilities. It is also beneficial for users with large displays or multi-monitor setups who want to streamline their workspace.

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.

WindowGrid videos

+ Add

WindowGrid: Fenster auf dem Desktop ausrichten

yabai videos

+ Add

Yabai Demonstration

More videos:

  • Demo - yabai macOS Tiling Window Manager Demonstration

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to WindowGrid and yabai)

WindowGrid

yabai

Window Manager
30 30%
Window Manager
70% 70
OSX Tools
38 38%
OSX Tools
62% 62
Mac Tools
29 29%
Mac Tools
71% 71
OSX Window Manager
100 100%
OSX Window Manager
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, yabai seems to be a lot more popular than WindowGrid. While we know about 133 links to yabai, we've tracked only 7 mentions of WindowGrid. 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.

WindowGrid mentions (7)

  • Looking for a specific window-managing software (macOS equivalent for a Windows app)
    On my Windows PC I am using Window Grid , which is my favorite way to manage windows, and would love a macOS equivalent. If you haven't used it, basically it adds a right click function only when you grab a window to move it - so grabbing a window with left click (holding it down), right-clicking and then a grid pops up to help you resize and realign that particular window. Here's a gif from their website. This... Source: over 2 years ago
  • Μικροπρογραμματα στον υπολογιστη για better experience
    Free: Search Everything (helps find files and stuff https://www.voidtools.com/ ) WizTree (you can see file sizes visually and helps you find stuff that take too much space.https://www.diskanalyzer.com/ ) EarThumpet (better volume mixer than the windows one https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/eartrumpet/9NBLGGH516XP?hl=en-us&gl=US ) ShareX (screenshot ktl. https://getsharex.com/ ) Displayfusion (gia dual... Source: almost 3 years ago
  • alt + tab mouse click doesn't work on Win 11?
    Another approach that does not involve the Alt key is WindowGrid and of course there is Microsoft's own FancyZones PowerToy. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Results From ~1.1M Christmas Paper (5466 Presents)
    I currently run 6 alts at the same time, to organize the windows I use a program that lets you easily place the clients in a neat grid of your choice http://windowgrid.net/. Source: over 3 years ago
  • I have found out today about "windows power toys" and the neat features it brings to windows 10 and wanted to share it with you guys :)
    You'll probably like WindowGrid. It's like fancy zones on steroids while also being simpler to use. Source: over 3 years ago
View more

yabai mentions (133)

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What are some alternatives?

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

AquaSnap - Too many windows on your screen? Stop wasting your productivity.

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

Mizage Divvy - Divvy is an entirely new way of managing your workspace.

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).

BetterTouchTool - Nov 5, 2017 - BetterTouchTool is a great, feature packed app that allows you to configure many gestures for your Magic Mouse (1 & 2), Macbook Trackpad and Magic Trackpad (1 & 2) and also Mouse Gestures for normal mice.

Magnet Window Manager - Magnet Developers

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