Amethyst vs Rectangle

Amethyst employs an 'automatic tiling' philosophy. It treats the screen as a canvas where windows are arranged into non-overlapping tiles. When a window is opened, closed, or moved, Amethyst recalculates the entire layout instantly. This removes the cognitive load of positioning windows, as the system ensures no window is ever hidden behind another unless specifically configured. It is a systematic approach that favors predictability and maximum space utilization over manual window placement flexibility.

Rectangle uses a 'manual snapping' philosophy. It maintains the traditional macOS floating window model but adds the ability to quickly snap windows into specific regions. Users trigger these actions via keyboard shortcuts or by dragging windows to screen edges. This approach is highly flexible, allowing users to keep some windows floating freely while others are snapped into place. It provides organization without the rigidity of an automated system, giving users absolute control over their workspace.

Rectangle provides a comprehensive set of predefined positions, such as left half, top-right quarter, and centered. It also supports thirds and sixths, which are excellent for ultra-wide displays. While it doesn't 'cycle' through layouts in the same way Amethyst does, it allows for a high degree of precision in where a window is placed. However, it lacks the ability to automatically rebalance remaining windows if one is closed.

Rectangle handles multiple monitors well, allowing users to snap windows to different screens using shortcuts or dragging. You can move a window to the 'next' or 'previous' display while maintaining its relative size and position. While effective, it lacks the deep integration of Amethyst’s 'screen focus' shortcuts, requiring more manual intervention to ensure windows are perfectly placed when moving between monitors of different resolutions.

Amethyst has a steep learning curve. Because it takes over window management entirely, users often find it jarring when windows move unexpectedly. The settings menu is functional but can be overwhelming due to the sheer number of shortcuts and layout options. It requires a significant time investment to memorize the keys and configure 'ignore lists' for apps that do not play well with tiling, such as Adobe Creative Cloud.

Customization in Amethyst is centered around keyboard shortcuts and layout preferences. Almost every action, from 'modifying the main pane count' to 'toggling floating mode,' can be assigned a custom key binding. It also allows for sophisticated exclusion rules, enabling users to specify which applications should never be tiled. This level of granular control is necessary for a tool that automates so much of the user's interface.

Rectangle allows for total customization of its shortcut keys. It also offers unique features like 'Todo Mode,' which keeps a specific window on one side of the screen while other windows occupy the remaining space. Users can customize the 'gap' between windows and the 'snap area' sensitivity. While it doesn't have the algorithmic depth of Amethyst, its customization options are practical and focused on enhancing manual placement.