Best Window Managers for Mac in 2026: Rectangle, Magnet, and Amethyst
Window managers are essential productivity tools for Mac users who want to organize their workspace efficiently. In 2026, three apps stand out: Rectangle, Magnet, and Amethyst. Let's compare them to help you choose the right one.
Why You Need a Window Manager
If you're constantly switching between apps and windows, a window manager can save hours of frustration. Instead of manually resizing windows, you can snap them to predefined positions with keyboard shortcuts.
Rectangle — Best Free Option
Overview
Rectangle is an open-source, free window manager that offers excellent value. It's lightweight, fast, and supports most window management shortcuts you'd need.
Key Features
- Free and open source
- Keyboard shortcuts for all major snap actions
- Multi-monitor support
- Edge snapping with visual feedback
- Third-party integration with tools like Alfred
- Apple Silicon optimized
Pros
- Completely free
- Minimal resource usage
- Active development and community
- Simple, intuitive interface
- No subscription required
Cons
- Limited advanced features
- No window management automation
- Basic configuration options
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Left Half | Control + Option + Left |
| Right Half | Control + Option + Right |
| Top Half | Control + Option + Up |
| Bottom Half | Control + Option + Down |
| Maximize | Control + Option + M |
| Center | Control + Option + C |
Magnet — Best Paid Option
Overview
Magnet is a premium window manager with a one-time purchase price of $14.99. It offers a polished experience with additional features beyond basic window snapping.
Key Features
- Visual snap zones with drag-and-drop
- Up to 6 custom zones
- Menu bar app for quick access
- Multiple monitor support
- Automator and Shortcuts integration
- Leave menu bar icon option
Pros
- Polished, professional UI
- Visual drag zones for intuitive use
- Integrates with macOS Shortcuts
- Reliable and stable performance
- Regular updates
Cons
- One-time cost ($14.99)
- No tiling automation
- Less customizable than Amethyst
Available Zones
- Left, Right, Top, Bottom halves
- Top Left, Top Right, Bottom Left, Bottom Right corners
- Center (1/2, 1/3, 2/3 sizes)
- Full screen
- Center snap
Amethyst — Best for Power Users
Overview
Amethyst is a tiling window manager for Mac that automatically arranges windows. It's perfect for users who want hands-off window management and don't mind a steeper learning curve.
Key Features
- Automatic tiling - windows auto-arrange
- Multiple workspaces (like i3 for Linux)
- Fully keyboard-driven
- Open source and free
- Highly customizable
- BSP tree layout algorithm
Pros
- Powerful automatic layout management
- Free and open source
- Extremely customizable
- Ideal for keyboard-only navigation
- Supports Spaces/Desktops
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- No visual drag-to-snap
- Configuration requires editing a file
- May conflict with some apps
Essential Keyboard Commands
| Command | Action |
|---|---|
Option + Space | Swap windows in position |
Control + Option + Space | Cycle through layouts |
Option + W | Focus next window |
Shift + Option + W | Move focused window |
Option + A | Focus previous window |
Option + R | Retile all windows |
Comparison Table
| Feature | Rectangle | Magnet | Amethyst |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | $14.99 | Free |
| Auto-tiling | No | No | Yes |
| Visual drag | Yes | Yes | No |
| Keyboard-driven | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-monitor | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Spaces support | Limited | Yes | Yes |
| Customization | Medium | Medium | High |
| Learning curve | Low | Low | High |
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Rectangle if:
- You want a free, reliable window manager
- You're new to window management
- You prefer simple keyboard shortcuts
- You want minimal resource usage
Choose Magnet if:
- You prefer visual drag-and-drop snapping
- You want a polished, professional app
- You're willing to pay for convenience
- You want macOS Shortcuts integration
Choose Amethyst if:
- You want automatic window tiling
- You're comfortable with keyboard-only navigation
- You want maximum customization
- You come from a Linux tiling WM background
2026 Updates
All three window managers have received Apple Silicon optimizations and Sequoia compatibility updates in early 2026:
- Rectangle: Added support for corner snapping zones
- Magnet: New Shortcuts actions for programmatic window management
- Amethyst: Improved multi-monitor handling and reduced CPU usage
Installation
All three are available on the Mac App Store or direct download:
- Rectangle: rectangleapp.com (also on App Store)
- Magnet: Mac App Store ($14.99)
- Amethyst: ianyh.com/amethyst (free, open source)
Pro Tip: Combine with macOS Sequoia's Built-in Features
Don't overlook macOS Sequoia's built-in window management! Use Control + Option + Cmd + Arrow shortcuts to send windows to other Spaces. Combine this with your window manager for the ultimate multi-monitor workflow.