Managing multiple windows on your Mac is a cumbersome task. Since they tend to overlap, your display quickly gets cluttered and takes up valuable workspace. Unfortunately, the built-in window manager does not offer many features to solve this problem.
«Mac window manager» is a name given to a group of Mac apps that let you organize and resize windows with built-in shortcuts, mouse clicks, and gestures. We’ll show you some of the best window management apps for Mac to keep your desktop organized.
1. Magnet
Magnet is a simple window manager app for Mac to organize and manage windows by snapping them to different positions on the screen. Window snapping is possible through drag-and-drop, keyboard shortcuts, and the app’s menu. This arrangement eliminates the need for app switching and offers more workspace efficiency.
To get started, drag your window to a particular position or use the customizable shortcuts to perform the task. By dragging them to your screen edges, the windows arrange themselves into horizontal or vertical halves. And when you drag them to the corner, they occupy a quarter of the screen.
What Does Magnet Offer You?
- Snap windows to each of the four corners of your screen, and even restore them to their original position.
- It supports up to six external displays with different orientations. With shortcuts, you can quickly move windows between the screens.
- Maximize a window without losing access to the menu bar and Dock. This is useful when you want to access the application menu all the time.
- Exclude apps that don’t work well with window snapping. For example, apps built with the Electron framework are buggy.
Download: Magnet ($7.99)
BetterSnapTool is a customizable window manager for Mac and probably the best alternative to Magnet. The app lets you instantly change the position and size of your windows by dragging them to the top, left, or right edges as well as the four corners of your desktop.
To do so, open the app menu and choose Change Window Position/Size. Alternatively, assign a shortcut to snap the windows to your desired position. The options listed in the snap locations are customizable, so you can disable ones you’ll never use.
Unique Features of BetterSnapTool
- It offers limitless resizing and snap area options. Just define a specific window size and a snap recognition area. Professionals who need windows in a pre-defined template will love this feature.
- You can use Desktop Spaces and BetterSnapTool together. Just set the proper window edge delay between them to make it work. Otherwise, trying to snap the windows can result in switching to the next Space.
- Set resizing options for the window control buttons when you right-click or middle-click with your mouse; go to Preferences > Extras to configure it as you like.
- Move and resize inactive windows with a modifier key. Head to Preferences > Extras to set the special key. Here’s a guide to remap your Mac’s function keys to do anything you want.
Download: BetterSnapTool ($2.99)
3. HazeOver
Having lots of open windows can be distracting, especially when you’re trying to focus on a particular task. HazeOver is a distraction dimmer that highlights the active window and masks the ones in the background.
It puts you in control of configuring the hazing intensity and speed to your liking. To begin, go to Preferences > General and rotate the wheel to tweak the dimming percentage. Alternatively, set up a hotkey and trackpad gesture to control the intensity in 20-percent increments.
HazeOver’s Top Features
- Configure the effect intensity from a soft, light dim to powerful black that will definitely reduce distractions.
- Choose whether you wish to highlight only one or all the open windows of any app. You can even tweak the dimness animation through the Advanced tab.
- Tweak the hazing intensity across multiple displays. You can either highlight only the front windows or dim all the windows on any screen.
- Control the state and setting with the Shortcuts app for Mac. With a shortcut, you can enable hazeover dimming, and Do Not Disturb mode.
Download: HazeOver ($4.99, free trial available)
4. Amethyst
As you probably know, your windows can overlap with each other. But a tiling window manager app can arrange and organize an app’s windows on your Mac into non-overlapping tiles. It does this by putting your apps side-by-side, in rows, or by arranging them using similar means. In this way, you can utilize your workspace for maximum efficiency.
Amethyst is a tiling window manager that automatically positions your windows according to one of its predefined layouts (explained on Amethyst’s GitHub page). You can move, focus, or cycle through app windows with the press of a hotkey. For example, to enter the Tall layout, press Alt + Shift + A. In this arrangement, the main window is on the left side while auxiliary ones stack vertically on the right.
Key Features of Amethyst
- There are a wide number of layouts: Tall, Wide, 3Column-Middle, Column, Full Screen, and more can be accessed with shortcuts. The layout decides how to position the windows.
- Each layout lets you modify the window size (Alt + Shift + L), cycle through the windows (Alt + Shift + J), change window position, and more.
- With so many shortcuts, you can customize your Mac keyboard to set up a modifier key to help you ease the learning curve.
- You can enable or disable layouts to control whether they appear in the cycle sequence at all.
Download: Amethyst (Free)
5. Mosaic
In day-to-day tasks, you might prefer having a specific window arrangement. But when you use too many apps, maintaining a consistent group of windows on the desktop becomes difficult. That’s where the Mosaic windows manager app for Mac can help.
It not only positions your windows, but also helps categorize them so you always have them within reach. To begin, grab your app window and drag it across the top, over any one of the sizing options. You can also define a hotkey to present a layout picker for any active app, if you prefer.
The Layouts tab provides you with complete control over all the possible layouts. Just use the configurable grid to define areas of the screen and set up a shortcut. You can even organize your layouts to suit the way you work through the Groups tab.
What Mosaic Offers
- Create any number of layouts with a configurable grid and gutter. You can designate apps their own Space without needing to swipe through Spaces.
- Make a three-section configurable custom layout of apps. With layout groups, organize them further to suit specific workflows.
- On Macs with a Touch Bar, all layouts are available at your fingertips. You don’t have to remember any shortcuts or define a modifier key.
- The handy Mosaic Remote app makes all your layouts available on iOS. With a tap, you can switch between the layouts on your Mac.
Download: Mosaic ($34.15, free trial available)
6. Moom
Moom is a customizable macOS window manager you can use to move and zoom your application windows around the screen. To get started, hover the mouse over any green zoom button and choose your desired position with a popup palette. You can also drag a window to an edge or corner of the screen.
After a few seconds, it will show a preview displaying the size and location of the dragged window. The app also lets you configure a hotkey to trigger the Moom logo.
Unique Features of Moom
- Press the Alt key while hovering over the green icon. Choose a preset to position and zoom your windows.
- Create and define custom controls through the Customs tab. Set up actions that will resize, move, and snap across multiple displays. This is great for anyone who wants windows with a pre-defined template.
- Save the window layout as a Snapshot. Later on, you can easily activate that layout again and restore the windows to their original position.
- Chain custom controls together to perform complex window management operations with the press of a hotkey. For example, you can move a window onto another display, then zoom it to full-screen.
Download: Moom ($10, free trial available)
Which Mac Window Manager Should You Choose?
Depending on your needs, you may find it hard to decide between these apps. For example, both Magnet and BetterSnapTool are excellent Mac window management apps with some overlapping attributes. However, BetterSnapTool offers many unique features, like custom snap areas, multiple ways to snap windows, and better integration with Desktop Spaces.
Mosaic and Moom are professional apps that offer customized solutions to window management problems. Mosaic is expensive, with a steep learning curve, but each of them offers a unique solution.
Easily Switch Between Apps and Windows
There’s a cost that comes with juggling multiple windows. When you leave them as on-screen clutter, they will affect your productivity and you may waste time organizing your windows. The apps discussed above will help you to regain control of unmanageable windows.
Next, you might consider the issue of switching apps. While Cmd + Tab is the default method, it’s not always the most efficient way to switch between apps. Have a look at the apps for jumping between Mac application and their windows.
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