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Best Window Management Apps for Mac (2026)

The best window manager for most Mac users is Rectangle — a free, open-source app that snaps windows with keyboard shortcuts. Amethyst and AeroSpace add automatic tiling for keyboard-first power users, and Magnet is the polished paid pick. All install via Homebrew.

How we pick: apps are ranked on Homebrew availability, active maintenance, pricing, and category fit. Our methodology.

How to choose

  • Snapping vs. automatic tiling. Snappers (Rectangle, Magnet) move one window when you ask; tiling managers (Amethyst, AeroSpace) continuously arrange every window into a grid. Tiling is powerful but changes how your whole desktop behaves.
  • Keyboard vs. mouse workflow. If you want to arrange windows without touching the mouse, prioritize configurable shortcuts (all four picks); if you prefer dragging to screen edges, Rectangle and Magnet do that best.
  • Open source vs. paid polish. Rectangle, Amethyst, and AeroSpace are free and open source; Magnet is a small one-time App Store purchase with a very gentle learning curve.
  1. 1
    Rectangle icon

    Rectangle

    Free

    The most popular free, open-source window snapper, with keyboard shortcuts and drag-to-edge zones.

    Best for: Most people who just want snapping

    brew install --cask rectangle
  2. 2
    Amethyst icon

    Amethyst

    Free

    An automatic tiling window manager with keyboard control, inspired by xmonad.

    Best for: Keyboard-first automatic tiling

    brew install --cask amethyst
  3. 3
    AeroSpace icon

    AeroSpace

    Free

    An i3-like tiling manager that uses its own virtual workspaces instead of macOS Spaces.

    Best for: i3-style tiling power users

    brew install --cask nikitabobko/tap/aerospace
  4. 4
    Magnet icon

    Magnet

    Paid

    A polished paid window snapper from the App Store, with keyboard shortcuts and drag-to-edge zones.

    Best for: A polished, paid snapper

    brew install --cask magnet

Who should skip these

If you work mostly in one full-screen app at a time — or macOS Spaces and the green-button tiling already cover your splits — a window manager will not change your day. It shines on large or multiple monitors with many windows in play.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best free window manager for Mac?
Rectangle is the best free, open-source window snapper for Mac. For automatic tiling, Amethyst and AeroSpace are the top free options.
Does macOS have built-in window management?
macOS has basic tiling via the green traffic-light button, but apps like Rectangle add keyboard shortcuts, custom zones, and automatic tiling.