Table of contents
Rectangle
Window management app based on Spectacle, written in Swift.
As Rectangle is an open source project, you can find more
open source alternatives and stats
on LibHunt.
Pricing:
- Open Source
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.
Promote Rectangle. You can add any of these badges on your website.
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.
We have collected here some useful links to help you find out if Rectangle is good.
Check the traffic stats of Rectangle on SimilarWeb. The key metrics to look for are: monthly visits, average visit duration, pages per visit, and traffic by country. Moreoever, check the traffic sources. For example "Direct" traffic is a good sign.
Check the "Domain Rating" of Rectangle on Ahrefs. The domain rating is a measure of the strength of a website's backlink profile on a scale from 0 to 100. It shows the strength of Rectangle's backlink profile compared to the other websites. In most cases a domain rating of 60+ is considered good and 70+ is considered very good.
Check the "Domain Authority" of Rectangle on MOZ. A website's domain authority (DA) is a search engine ranking score that predicts how well a website will rank on search engine result pages (SERPs). It is based on a 100-point logarithmic scale, with higher scores corresponding to a greater likelihood of ranking. This is another useful metric to check if a website is good.
The latest comments about Rectangle on Reddit. This can help you find out how popualr the product is and what people think about it.
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 / 20 days ago
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 / about 1 month ago
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 / about 1 month ago
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 / about 2 months ago
I use Rectangle [1] for window management. I only use three shortcuts: full screen, left half of the screen, and right half of the screen. My editors and chrome are always running in one of these modes. But for other apps like Messages, Notes, Music, etc - yeah I don't usually expand them to full screen. [1] https://rectangleapp.com/. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 months ago
Https://rectangleapp.com Drag lock is a good setting, just test drove it and will be using it. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 months ago
I've been using Rectangle (https://rectangleapp.com/) for years now. IMO the shortcuts actually make it a massive improvement over Windows. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
Been using this for a few years, works like a charm: https://rectangleapp.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
I have realized that I only need 3 window sizes: maximized, minimized, or half-of-the-screen vertically. Rectangle [1] is a great way to get key combinations for resizing and moving my windows around. It works well across multiple monitors and it's free. I didn't even notice this issue, but I see how it could be problematic for people. https://rectangleapp.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
Nice - I didn't know about that one! I just found out today that hovering over the green traffic light icon shows an arrange menu... But the "maximize" option there leaves some padding on all sides of the window - weird. I swear by https://rectangleapp.com/ - same outcome but with keyboard shortcuts instead of the mouse. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
Not sure if it replaces everything, but I have been using https://rectangleapp.com and would not be able to use MacOS without it. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
I use https://rectangleapp.com which has been a lifesaver. I only use the following three shortcuts and disable the rest: cmd+option+f = maximize to fill entire screen cmd+option+ctrl+left/right = move window to other monitor on left/right I occasionally use cmd+option+left/right if I need to have two windows side-by-side on the same monitor. MacOS window sizes have always felt weird to me - no easy way to... - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
Use rectangle and this will never be a problem for you. https://rectangleapp.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
I've used Rectangle for years so I can arrange windows more quickly. Not good for arbitrary sizes, more for set positions. https://rectangleapp.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
I used to be a heavy user of i3. It's very flexible and configurable, and you can do much more than just moving windows. But after I switched to Mac, I couldn't find a tiling window manager that was both feature-rich and stable. After trying several options, I just use Rectangle[1]. It's not a window manager; it only provides shortcuts for window placements like simply moving windows to left/right/top/bottom or... - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
> I’m referring to apples to apples comparison where they’re either some standard out of the box version or when customized with available tools and mods. Comparing your highly customized Linux desktop to a completely uncustomized Mac setup with no attempt at other tools or utilities isn’t an interesting comparison because it’s not apples to apples, it’s just a statement about your current preference.... - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
Free version of Rectangle is very good https://rectangleapp.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
Try rectangle if you’re on mac. It’s a window manager and you can config hot keys to move windows around. For example I keep my large monitor split in 3, with a window in each third. I know it’s not exactly what you asked, but prob the best you can achieve. If you want to try to roll your own web solution, you can try to create a page with multiple iframes. The catch is that sites control whether they can be... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
This is how I use my Mac desktop with Rectangle https://rectangleapp.com That and the apple touchpad to swipe three fingers left and right to switch desktops (and different machines as one desktop is remote desked into a windows box and another terminal+tmux session to a linux box). - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
Full-screen-but-not-native is useful enough that it's handy to have around for all windows in all programs. So the move there is to install Rectangle.app (https://rectangleapp.com/), the successor to Spectacle, and then choose your terminal independently. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
I use https://rectangleapp.com/ for KDE-like window management on my Macbooks. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
Rectangle, a popular window management tool for macOS, has garnered substantial public attention and generally positive reception, highlighting its functionality as a no-cost alternative to some of its competitors. The app is noted for its versatility in managing multiple windows through keyboard shortcuts, menu options, or drag-and-drop actions, which aligns it directly with other reputable tools like Magnet and BetterSnapTool.
Key Features & Usability
Rectangle allows users to split screens into quarters, thirds, or halves, supporting the setup of intricate layouts—especially beneficial for those working with multiple monitors. Its ability to tailor custom layouts and manage window transitions between various screens adds to its allure for users requiring configuration flexibility.
Ease of Transition & Learning Curve
Some users point out that there is a learning curve associated with mastering the numerous shortcuts that Rectangle offers. However, customization is a significant strength; users have the option to exclude specific applications from Rectangle's default shortcuts, thereby preventing potential workflow interruptions. Despite the initial adjustment period, many users express satisfaction, noting that the shortcuts become intuitive over time.
Community & Open Source Advocacy
Rectangle is embraced warmly within tech forums and communities, often cited favorably on platforms such as Hacker News. Its open-source nature is a considerable draw, allowing a broad community to contribute to ongoing development and support. This aspect is frequently highlighted by users who favor open-source solutions for flexibility and transparency.
Comparative Perspective
In the landscape of window management tools, Rectangle stands out due not only to its cost-free model but also for its comparable functionality to paid alternatives. Users have often chosen Rectangle over native macOS solutions or other proprietary options due to its comprehensive set of features without any financial commitment. The fact that Rectangle functions as a spiritual successor to the once-popular Spectacle app further strengthens its credibility and heritage within the macOS ecosystem.
Utility Across Use Cases
Rectangle's utility extends beyond typical window management tasks. It's recommended for users setting up elaborate trading dashboards, programming workflows involving remote desktop connections, and even those adapting multiple workspaces across an array of machines. For some, its capabilities address everyday productivity needs, such as integrating seamlessly with macOS's touchpad functionalities for an efficient desktop management experience.
User Satisfaction
Consistent user feedback reflects an appreciation for Rectangle's minimalist app design—no ads, easy installation, and immediate operational efficiency. Users repeatedly endorse Rectangle as an essential tool for enhancing macOS usability, akin to a tiling window manager but with unique adaptations for Apple's operating system.
In conclusion, Rectangle is a well-regarded choice in the Mac Tools, Window Manager, and Developer Tools categories. Its adoption by various user demographics underscores its reputation as an efficient, customizable, and resource-effective solution in the competitive landscape of macOS window managers.
Do you know an article comparing Rectangle to other products?
Suggest a link to a post with product alternatives.
Is Rectangle good? This is an informative page that will help you find out. Moreover, you can review and discuss Rectangle here. The primary details have not been verified within the last quarter, and they might be outdated. If you think we are missing something, please use the means on this page to comment or suggest changes. All reviews and comments are highly encouranged and appreciated as they help everyone in the community to make an informed choice. Please always be kind and objective when evaluating a product and sharing your opinion.
The best window management app i've used. So powerful!