Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

yabai VS Pixie

Compare yabai VS Pixie and see what are their differences

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.

yabai logo yabai

A tiling window manager for macOS based on binary space partitioning

Pixie logo Pixie

Pixie is a free, open source web application that will help you quickly create your own website. Many people refer to this type of software as a content management system (cms), we prefer to call it a small, simple, website maker.
  • yabai Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-26
  • Pixie Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-12-03

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.

Pixie features and specs

  • Lightweight
    Pixie is a small and lightweight color picker tool which ensures minimal system resource usage.
  • Portable
    Pixie is a portable application which does not require installation. Users can run it directly from a USB drive.
  • Easy to Use
    Pixie has a very simple and user-friendly interface which makes it easy for both novice and experienced users to operate.
  • Real-time Color Information
    Pixie dynamically displays color information such as HEX, RGB, HTML, and CMYK values as you move the cursor around the screen.
  • Precision
    Pixie enables precise color picking by allowing users to magnify the screen view.
  • Freeware
    Pixie is free to download and use, which makes it accessible to a wide range of users.

Possible disadvantages of Pixie

  • Limited Features
    Pixie is focused solely on color picking, and lacks additional features found in more comprehensive graphic design tools.
  • No Mac or Linux Support
    Pixie is only available for Windows, which limits its usability for users on Mac or Linux operating systems.
  • No Support for Color History
    Pixie does not offer a way to save or store previously picked colors, requiring users to manually note down important color information.
  • No Integrations
    Pixie does not integrate with other software tools, which may hinder workflows that rely on seamless integration between applications.
  • No Active Development
    Pixie has not been actively updated or developed in recent years, which may mean it lacks compatibility with newer software and hardware.
  • Basic Functionality
    While Pixie is efficient for basic color picking tasks, it does not cater to advanced users requiring more detailed color analysis and manipulation tools.

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.

Analysis of Pixie

Overall verdict

  • Pixie is a well-regarded tool for its intended use, especially for those who frequently work with digital graphics and need to determine and replicate colors accurately. It's a valuable tool for anyone who needs a quick and efficient way to capture color codes.

Why this product is good

  • Pixie, developed by Nattyware, is a lightweight and handy color picker tool that allows users to easily identify and work with colors on their screen. It's particularly useful for designers, developers, and digital artists who need precise control over color selection in their projects. Pixie is praised for its simplicity, ease of use, and speed, as it provides the exact color code of any pixel just by hovering over it.

Recommended for

  • Graphic designers
  • Web developers
  • UI/UX designers
  • Digital artists
  • Anyone who frequently works with color palettes

yabai videos

Yabai Demonstration

More videos:

  • Demo - yabai macOS Tiling Window Manager Demonstration

Pixie videos

Nespresso Pixie Review plus FAQ

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to yabai and Pixie)
Window Manager
100 100%
0% 0
Color Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Mac Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Color Picker
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, yabai seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 138 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.

yabai mentions (138)

  • Supercharge your macOS workspace management with Aerospace - A guide for busy people
    Aerospace does not rely on the native spaces feature. Instead, it has the concept of virtual workspaces, all of which live in a single native macOS space. Switching between these virtual workspaces essentially means hiding all other windows and only keeping the window(s) assigned to the active workspace. This is genius, as it makes Aerospace incredibly flexible in managing windows between workspaces, without the... - Source: dev.to / about 1 month ago
  • Jeff Geerling: The Framework 12 is dead. Apple killed it [video]
    Interesting. I used to daily drive for almost a year until a major macOS update broke it and I just didn't have it in me to diagnose the issue. I'll bookmark this for future adventures, thanks! - Source: Hacker News / about 1 month ago
  • Show HN: Liquid Radius โ€“ Unifies macOS Tahoe's inconsistent window corners
    > Liquid Radius doesn't touch /System or modify the SSV I'm not doubting you, but by requiring users to disable SIP you are effectively opening their entire system to SSV attacks. 99% of "regular" users won't understand that tradeoff. Rounded corners are not worth disabling the operating system's major security protections, especially in today's crazy cyber environment. Yabai [0] is a good example of how... - Source: Hacker News / about 2 months ago
  • From M1 MacBook to Arch Linux: A month-long experiment that became permanenent
    This. My 2013 MacBook Pro lasted just shy of 10 years no issues. My m3 max mbpro I only wish was the larger screen one and not the 13 inch one โ€ฆ oh well. But I suspect it will last me โ€” and be passed down as well โ€” 8-10 years as well. The trackpads are second to none. So are the speakers. The screen are pretty good. I wish mine got even brighter but the m4s do. The keyboard is finally awesome. The OS just works.... - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
  • I Used Arch, BTW: macOS, Day 1
    Aerospace is nice, but also consider checking out yabai [0] + sketchybar [1] for an i3/hyprland style tiling setup. More customizable (IMO) and perfectly suited for a terminal based workflow :~^) [0] https://github.com/koekeishiya/yabai. - Source: Hacker News / 12 months ago
View more

Pixie mentions (0)

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

What are some alternatives?

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

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

Just Color Picker - Free portable colour picker and colour editor for web designers, photographers, graphic designers and digital artists. Supports Windows and macOS.

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).

gpick - A color picker and color scheme creation tool.

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

Instant Eyedropper - Identifying the color code of an object on the screen is usually an involved, multistep process:...