Tangrid vs Rectangle
Two ways to put a window exactly where you want it.
Rectangle is a free, open-source snapping app with keyboard shortcuts, edge dragging, and menu-bar actions. Tangrid’s Snap Assistant also places windows by dragging or shortcut, with an 18-position grid and modifier-key movement. This comparison focuses on snapping and moving windows between screens.
Feature comparison
| Feature |  Tangrid | Rectangle |
|---|---|---|
| How you snap | Edge dragging and keyboard shortcuts | Edge dragging, shortcuts, and menu-bar actions |
| Snap positions | 18 positions on a 3×6 grid, plus fill | Halves, quarters, thirds, sixths, and more |
| Move and resize from anywhere | Modifier + mouse drag | Gesture controls are in Rectangle Pro |
| Arrange open windows | Arrange windows on demand in Snap Assistant | One-shot rows, columns, or cascades |
| Move between displays | Move a window to a chosen display | Move to the next or previous display |
| Move between macOS Spaces | Shortcuts for the next or previous desktop | Rectangle Pro only |
Choose if
Choose Rectangle if you want free, open-source snapping with a broad set of positions, menu actions, and URL-triggered commands.
Choose Tangrid if you want an 18-position snapping grid, modifier-key movement and resizing, and desktop movement included in the same license.
FAQ
Can I use Tangrid for manual snapping without automatic tiling?
Yes. Choose Snap Assist in window-management settings. Snap Assistant places windows when you drag or invoke an action; Auto Flow is a separate mode.
Can I place windows with Tangrid shortcuts instead of dragging?
Yes. Tangrid has configurable window-placement shortcuts, an 18-position grid, and a fill action. Set the bindings in the app's shortcut settings.
Can Tangrid move and resize windows from anywhere inside them?
Yes. Set mouse-operation modifiers, then drag inside a window while holding them. Use the left button to move and the right button to resize.
Can Tangrid move a window to another display or macOS desktop?
Yes. Tangrid provides shortcuts for moving windows between displays and native macOS desktops, including the previous or next desktop and a specified display.
Should I disable Rectangle while trying Tangrid's snapping?
Disable overlapping Rectangle shortcuts and edge actions while trying Snap Assistant. This lets you evaluate Tangrid without two tools responding to the same placement gesture.
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