Mac window manager alternatives
Choose a comparison for the way you work.
Tangrid combines window snapping, automatic tiling, window tabs, search, Dock previews and saved Workspaces. Start with the workflow you need, then compare the relevant controls and limitations. Each comparison explains when the other tool may suit you better.
Compare Mac window management workflows
Compare two controls from each tool, then follow its link for the full feature table and limitations. FancyZones runs on Windows; its comparison covers moving to Mac.
Scroll the table horizontally to see both tools.
| Tool | What to compare | Other tool | Tangrid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tangrid vs Rectangle Pro | Window placement | Keyboard shortcuts, snap targets and window throwing | Edge dragging and keyboard shortcuts |
| State restored | Configured app sizes and positions | Positions, sizes, splits, tab groups and target desktop | |
| Tangrid vs FancyZones | Platform | Windows PowerToys | macOS 14 or later |
| Placement targets | Custom zones created with the FancyZones editor | 18 positions on a 3×6 grid, including thirds and sixths | |
| Tangrid vs Stage Manager | Organization model | Active app or window set with recent apps at the side | Auto Flow split layouts or window tab groups |
| Saved project layouts | Switch between recent apps and window groups | Named Workspaces for on-demand restoration | |
| Tangrid vs Raycast Window Management | Halves and thirds | Commands for halves, thirds and quarters | Grid placement with halves, thirds and sixths |
| Arrangement model | Run a command on the focused window | Manual Snap Assist or continuous Auto Flow tiling | |
| Tangrid vs macOS window tiling | How you place a window | Drag, green button, or Window menu | Drag to an edge or use a shortcut |
| Thirds and sixths | Not offered by built-in tiling | 18 positions on a 3×6 grid | |
| Tangrid vs Rectangle | Snap positions | Halves, quarters, thirds, sixths, and more | 18 positions on a 3×6 grid, plus fill |
| Move and resize from anywhere | Gesture controls are in Rectangle Pro | Modifier + mouse drag | |
| Tangrid vs Magnet | Snap positions | Halves, quarters, thirds, and maximize | 18 positions on a 3×6 grid, plus fill |
| Move and resize from anywhere | Placement through drag areas and commands | Modifier + mouse drag | |
| Tangrid vs Moom | Placement positions | Custom grids and configurable snap regions | 18 positions on a 3×6 grid, plus fill |
| What a saved layout restores | Saved window positions and sizes | Position, size, tiled/floating state, tab groups, and desktop | |
| Tangrid vs Swish | How you snap | Swipe a window’s title bar | Drag a window to an edge |
| Grid positions | 2×2, 3×2, and 3×3 grids | 18 positions on a 3×6 grid | |
| Tangrid vs Loop | Pointer workflow | Hold a trigger key and use the radial menu | Drag a window to a screen edge |
| Window movement | Directional placement through the radial menu | Modifier + mouse drag to move or resize | |
| Tangrid vs Amethyst | Layout model | Cycle tall, wide, column, row, BSP, and other layouts | BSP-style layout with split or tab priority |
| Floating windows | Toggle floating for a window or disable tiling globally | App and window-title rules keep selected windows floating | |
| Tangrid vs AeroSpace | Configuration | TOML configuration and CLI commands | App settings and keyboard shortcuts |
| Desktop system | Emulates its own virtual workspaces | Uses native macOS Spaces and Mission Control | |
| Tangrid vs yabai | Automatic tiling | Binary space partitioning tiling | Auto Flow rearranges managed windows as they open and close |
| Configuration | Configuration files, scripts, and CLI commands | App settings and built-in shortcuts | |
| Tangrid vs AltTab | Switch individual windows | Across all apps or within the current app | Across all apps or within the current app |
| Search titles and app names | AltTab Pro | Included in vertical view | |
| Tangrid vs DockDoor | Dock hover previews | Hover an app icon to see its windows across Spaces and displays | Hover an app icon to see its windows across displays |
| Type to search | Search in the window switcher | Titles and app names in vertical view; pinyin and fuzzy matching |
Window snapping and saved layouts
Compare placement controls, thirds and sixths, and the layouts you can restore later.
Automatic tiling and window groups
Compare automatic arrangement, native desktops, floating rules and ways to group related windows.
Window switching and Dock previews
Compare individual-window switching, search and previews from the Dock.
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