Layoutish vs Rectangle vs Magnet: Mac Window Managers Compared

Three Tools, Three Approaches

Rectangle and Magnet are two of the most popular window managers on Mac. Rectangle is free and open source. Magnet is $8 on the App Store. Layoutish takes a different approach, focusing on saved layouts and automation rather than just snapping.

Here's how they stack up.

Basic Window Snapping

All three let you snap windows to halves, thirds, and quarters using keyboard shortcuts. Rectangle and Magnet also support drag-to-edge snapping (drag a window to the screen edge and it snaps into position).

Layoutish supports keyboard shortcuts for quick positioning. Its focus is more on capturing and restoring complete window arrangements rather than one-off snapping.

Verdict: For basic snap-and-forget, all three work. Rectangle and Magnet are slightly more polished for quick drag-to-snap gestures.

Saved Layouts

This is where the tools diverge significantly.

Rectangle and Magnet don't save layouts. Every time you restart your Mac, undock your laptop, or switch between workflows, you're manually repositioning everything.

Layoutish lets you capture all window positions, sizes, and stacking order across all displays, then restore them with one click or a keyboard shortcut. You can save as many named layouts as you want — "Coding," "Design," "Meetings," "Browsing" — and switch between them instantly.

Verdict: Layoutish wins if you work with multiple setups. Rectangle and Magnet don't offer this at all.

Display Profiles

Layoutish detects your monitor configuration and lets you save display profiles. When you dock your laptop at your desk, it can automatically apply your desk layout. When you undock, it switches to your laptop layout.

Rectangle and Magnet don't have display profiles.

Verdict: Layoutish — this is a standout feature for laptop users who dock and undock regularly.

Time-Based Scheduling

Layoutish can auto-apply layouts at specific times on specific days. Set your coding layout for weekday mornings and your design layout for afternoons, and your workspace sets itself up.

Neither Rectangle nor Magnet offers scheduling.

Verdict: Layoutish — unique feature that none of the competitors have.

Keyboard Shortcuts

All three support custom keyboard shortcuts. Rectangle has an extensive set of default shortcuts for halves, thirds, quarters, and screen movements. Magnet has similar defaults. Layoutish lets you assign hotkeys to saved layouts and also has a Quick Switcher (Cmd+Shift+L) for searching and applying layouts by name.

Verdict: Rectangle has the most granular shortcut options for individual window positions. Layoutish shortcuts are layout-focused (apply a whole arrangement at once).

Multi-Monitor Support

All three work across multiple monitors. Rectangle and Magnet let you throw windows between screens with shortcuts.

Layoutish saves and restores window positions across all connected displays, including handling monitor disconnections gracefully.

Verdict: Tie for basic multi-monitor use. Layoutish is better if you frequently change your monitor setup.

Pricing

Rectangle is free and open source. Magnet is $8 on the App Store. Layoutish is a one-time purchase via Lemon Squeezy with a free 7-day trial.

Verdict: Rectangle wins on price. You can't beat free.

The Bottom Line

Choose Rectangle if you want free, reliable keyboard-driven window snapping and don't need saved layouts or automation.

Choose Magnet if you want something simple from the App Store with drag-to-snap and don't mind paying $8.

Choose Layoutish if you work with multiple monitor setups, want to save and restore window arrangements, or want your workspace to set itself up automatically with scheduling and display profiles.

Rectangle is a fantastic free tool and there's no reason to switch if basic snapping is all you need. Layoutish solves a different problem — it's for people who are tired of manually arranging windows every morning.

Try Layoutish free for 7 days