MacLayout vs Rectangle vs Magnet vs Moom: Which Mac Window Manager Is Right for You?

Choosing a window manager for your Mac can feel overwhelming. There are dozens of options, each with different strengths, price points, and philosophies. In this comparison, we break down the four most popular choices: MacLayout, Rectangle, Magnet, and Moom. By the end, you will know exactly which tool fits your workflow.

The Contenders at a Glance

Rectangle

Rectangle is a free, open-source window manager inspired by the discontinued Spectacle app. It focuses exclusively on window snapping: moving and resizing windows using keyboard shortcuts or by dragging windows to screen edges. Rectangle is lightweight, fast, and does one thing well. The Pro version ($9.99) adds features like custom sizes, app-specific settings, and stacking groups, but even the Pro version does not save or restore complete layouts.

Magnet

Magnet is one of the best-selling productivity apps on the Mac App Store, priced at $7.99. It provides drag-to-snap and keyboard shortcut window positioning similar to Rectangle. Magnet supports a variety of tiling arrangements including halves, thirds, quarters, and sixths. It is polished and reliable, but like Rectangle, it is purely a snapping tool. There is no layout saving, no automation, and no way to restore a complete workspace.

Moom

Moom from Many Tricks ($15) bridges the gap between simple snapping tools and full workspace managers. It offers window snapping, custom grid-based positioning, and crucially, the ability to save and restore window layout snapshots. Moom can save the positions of all your windows and restore them from the menu bar or via keyboard shortcuts. However, Moom lacks automation triggers, and its Spaces support is limited. It works best for users who want layout saving without the complexity of automation.

MacLayout

MacLayout ($19.99) is designed for users who want complete workspace automation. Like Moom, it saves and restores named layouts with keyboard shortcuts. But MacLayout goes significantly further with automatic triggers that restore layouts when your display configuration changes or when specific apps launch. It also offers full macOS Spaces support, smart relative positioning that adapts layouts to different screen sizes, and a clean menu bar interface. MacLayout is the most capable option for power users and multi-monitor setups.

Feature Comparison

When to Choose Each Tool

Choose Rectangle If...

You want a simple, free window snapping tool and you do not need layout saving. Rectangle is perfect for users who just want keyboard shortcuts to tile windows into halves or quarters. It is lightweight, open-source, and gets out of your way. If you are coming from Windows and miss the snap-to-edge behavior, Rectangle is your best bet.

Choose Magnet If...

You want the convenience of a Mac App Store purchase and prefer a polished, supported snapping tool. Magnet is nearly identical to Rectangle in functionality, with a small price tag and the trust of being on the App Store. If you want simplicity and do not need layout saving, either Magnet or Rectangle will serve you well.

Choose Moom If...

You want layout saving without full automation. Moom sits in the sweet spot between snapping tools and full workspace managers. Its snapshot feature lets you save and restore window positions, and its grid-based positioning gives you more control over custom arrangements. Moom is ideal for single-monitor users or those with a stable display setup who just want a quick way to reset their windows.

Choose MacLayout If...

You want the full package: layout saving, keyboard shortcuts, and automation triggers that make your workspace adapt to your environment. MacLayout is the right choice if you use multiple monitors, frequently dock and undock your laptop, work across multiple Spaces, or want layouts to activate automatically based on your display configuration or the apps you open.

While MacLayout is the most expensive option at $19.99, the time savings from automated layout restoration pay for themselves within the first week. Instead of spending 5 to 10 minutes every morning arranging windows, you sit down and your workspace is ready.

The Verdict

If all you need is window snapping, Rectangle (free) or Magnet ($7.99) will get the job done. If you want to save and restore layouts manually, Moom ($15) is a solid choice. But if you want your Mac to automatically arrange your workspace based on your display setup and running apps, MacLayout ($19.99) is the only tool that delivers true workspace automation.

The good news is that MacLayout offers a 14-day free trial, so you can experience the difference before making a purchase. Once you try automated layout restoration, manually dragging windows around will feel like a relic of the past.