Free window managers for Mac, and when paying makes sense
The good free options for managing windows on a Mac: macOS's own tiling, Rectangle, AeroSpace, Amethyst and more. What each does and what you give up.
Start with what is built in: macOS Sequoia and later tile windows to halves and quarters by dragging or with Fn ⌃ and an arrow. Past that, there are good free apps.
The free options
| App | Kind | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| macOS tiling | Snapping | Halves and quarters, nothing to install |
| Rectangle | Snapping | Shortcuts for many positions, open source |
| Loop | Snapping | Pointing in a direction on a radial menu |
| AeroSpace | Tiling | Keyboard first tiling with workspaces, set up with a config file |
| Amethyst | Tiling | Automatic layouts like xmonad |
| yabai | Tiling | Deep control; some features need security settings lowered |
| Hammerspoon | Scriptable | Writing your own window rules |
What free usually costs you
- Setup time: tiling managers are often configured in text files.
- Polish: fewer settings windows, more reading documentation.
- Scrolling layouts: free scrolling options on Mac are scripts rather than finished apps; see PaperWM for Mac.
When paying makes sense
If you want a scrolling window manager that works out of the box, with a settings window, trackpad swipes and a strip dock, ClutterFreeMac is a one time purchase with free updates. Compare it with the others in the best window managers for Mac.
Questions
Is there a free tiling window manager for Mac?
Yes. AeroSpace, Amethyst and yabai are free. macOS Sequoia and later also tile windows to halves and quarters on their own.
Read next
- Guide
What is a scrolling window manager?
A scrolling window manager lays windows side by side on a strip wider than your screen. How it differs from overlapping and grid tiling, and who it suits.
Read › - Guide
What is a tiling window manager?
A tiling window manager arranges every window so none overlap. How tiling works, the main styles, why people love it, and what it is like on a Mac.
Read › - Guide
Scrolling vs tiling window managers: which suits you?
Tiling splits one screen between all your windows. Scrolling gives each window its width and lets the row grow. How they differ, and who each one suits.
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