Software Alternatives & Startups

yEd VS Rectangle

Compare yEd VS Rectangle 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.

yEd logo yEd

yEd is a free desktop application to quickly create, import, edit, and automatically arrange diagrams. It runs on Windows, Mac OS X, and Unix/Linux.

Rectangle logo Rectangle

Window management app based on Spectacle, written in Swift.
  • yEd Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-07-16
  • Rectangle Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-20

yEd features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    yEd offers a clean, intuitive interface that makes it easy for users to get started and create diagrams without a steep learning curve.
  • Versatile Diagram Types
    The software supports a wide range of diagram types including flowcharts, UML diagrams, network diagrams, and more, making it versatile for different needs.
  • Automatic Layouts
    yEd provides several powerful automatic layout algorithms that can quickly arrange complex diagrams into clear structures.
  • Cross-Platform
    yEd is compatible with multiple operating systems such as Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing flexibility for users across different platforms.
  • Free to Use
    yEd is free to download and use, which makes it an attractive option for individuals and organizations with budget constraints.

Possible disadvantages of yEd

  • Limited Collaboration Features
    yEd lacks built-in real-time collaboration features, which can be a disadvantage for teams needing to work simultaneously on the same diagram.
  • No Mobile Version
    There is no mobile version of yEd, which limits its usability for users who prefer creating diagrams on tablets or smartphones.
  • Steep Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While the basic features are user-friendly, some of the more advanced functionalities can have a steep learning curve and may require time to master.
  • Limited Integration Options
    yEd does not offer extensive integration options with other productivity tools or software, which can be a drawback for users looking for a more connected workflow.
  • Occasional Performance Issues
    Users have reported occasional performance issues, especially when dealing with very large and complex diagrams.

Rectangle features and specs

  • 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 of Rectangle

  • 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 of yEd

Overall verdict

  • yEd is a good choice for users looking for a robust and versatile diagramming solution. Its free availability and rich features make it a strong contender among diagramming tools.

Why this product is good

  • yEd is considered a powerful diagramming tool because it offers an extensive range of features like automatic layout algorithms, various diagram types, easy-to-use interface, and cross-platform compatibility. It is especially appreciated for its ability to handle large data sets and produce clear, understandable visual representations quickly.

Recommended for

  • Business professionals who need to create organizational charts or flowcharts
  • Software developers who design complex system architectures
  • Researchers and analysts visualizing large data sets
  • Educators preparing educational materials
  • Students managing complex information for projects

Analysis of Rectangle

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.

yEd videos

yEd Graph Editor in 90 seconds

More videos:

  • Tutorial - yED Graph Editor Tutorial - Make flowcharts, trees, graph Freeware.

Rectangle videos

SKYWALKER RECTANGLE TRAMPOLINE REVIEW!!!

More videos:

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

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to yEd and Rectangle)
Diagrams
100 100%
0% 0
Mac Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Flowcharts
100 100%
0% 0
Window Manager
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare yEd and Rectangle

yEd Reviews

Best 7 Free Online XMind Alternatives for Windows
Another excellent tool that you can use for common and complex visual illustration is yEd. This aims to help users in terms of creating diagrams like UML, flowcharts, network diagram, org chart, and other process illustrations. With this XMind free alternative, you will find every icon and symbol you need for the aforementioned diagrams. On the other hand, users are...
Source: gitmind.com
40 Open Source, Free and Top Unified Modeling Language (UML) Tools
yEd is a desktop application that can be used to quickly and effectively generate high-quality diagrams. Users can create diagrams manually, or import their external data for analysis. yEd’s automatic layout algorithms arranges even large data sets with just the press of a button. yEd is freely available and runs on all major platforms: Windows, Unix/Linux, and Mac OS X.With...

Rectangle Reviews

Best 6 Mac Window Managers
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 dropping. Just like Magnet, you can split your screen up into quarters, thirds, or halves.
Source: mackeeper.com
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 Rectangle – offer this functionality.
The 6 Best Mac Window Management Tools
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 Rectangle's shortcuts.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Rectangle seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 480 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.

yEd mentions (0)

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

Rectangle mentions (480)

  • 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 / 14 days 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 paste, etc. https://support.apple.com/en-au/102650#text 2. Karabiner elements (FOSS) fixes keyboard mappings outside of the Settings: https://karabiner-elements.pqrs.org/ 3. I have the... - 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 / 5 months ago
  • Native Instant Space Switching on macOS
    I use https://rectangleapp.com/ and enjoy it. I have shortcuts to move windows to the left/right half of the screen, and cycle between monitors. This, combined with native cmd+tab and cmd+` is enough for me. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • Make macOS consistently bad (unironically)
    Rectangle [1] is pretty much essential for me because of this. I use only a few keypresses (maximize window, move to one of the halves of the screen horizontally) but that is enough. My mouse very rately interacts with the borders of any window, or those buttons. I had to click on the green one that you mentioned in order to see what it did (yuck). [1] https://rectangleapp.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
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What are some alternatives?

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

draw.io - Online diagramming application

Magnet Window Manager - Magnet Developers

LucidChart - LucidChart is the missing link in online productivity suites. LucidChart allows users to create, collaborate on, and publish attractive flowcharts and other diagrams from a web browser.

yabai - A tiling window manager for macOS based on binary space partitioning

OmniGraffle - OmniGraffle is for creating precise graphics like website wireframes, an electrical system designs, or mapping out software class.

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