Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

yabai VS BetterSnapTool

Compare yabai VS BetterSnapTool and see what are their differences

yabai logo yabai

A tiling window manager for macOS based on binary space partitioning

BetterSnapTool logo BetterSnapTool

10 Oct 2017 . BetterSnapTool allows you to easily manage your window positions and sizes by either dragging them to one of the screen's corners or to the top, left or right side of the screen.
  • yabai Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-26
  • BetterSnapTool Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-14

yabai features and specs

  • Efficient Window Management
    Yabai provides advanced tiling window management for macOS, greatly increasing productivity by allowing users to manage windows through keyboard shortcuts and layouts, minimizing the need for mouse interactions.
  • Highly Customizable
    The software offers extensive configuration options, enabling users to personalize their window management experience according to their specific workflow and preferences.
  • Open Source
    Being open source, Yabai is free to use and modify, allowing the community to contribute to its development and enhancement. This fosters a collaborative environment for improving the software.
  • Supports Scripting
    Yabai supports scripting through AppleScript or shell commands, enabling users to automate complex workflows and integrate Yabai with other tools and applications seamlessly.
  • Lightweight
    Yabai is designed to be a lightweight window manager, which means it consumes minimal system resources, ensuring that your Mac continues to run smoothly even with numerous active windows.

Possible disadvantages of yabai

  • Steep Learning Curve
    For beginners, the configuration and use of Yabai can be daunting, requiring a significant amount of time and effort to fully understand and utilize its capabilities effectively.
  • Requires SIP Disablement
    To utilize some of Yabai's more advanced features, users need to partially disable System Integrity Protection (SIP), which can reduce the overall security of the macOS system.
  • Potential Compatibility Issues
    As macOS updates and changes, compatibility issues may arise, potentially breaking functionality. Users may need to wait for updates from the developer community to resolve these issues.
  • Limited Official Support
    As an open-source project, Yabai does not come with official support channels. Users must rely on community forums and documentation, which may not always provide immediate or comprehensive assistance.
  • Complex Configurations
    Setting up Yabai to fit specific needs can be complex and time-consuming, especially for users who are not familiar with scripting or advanced configuration files.

BetterSnapTool features and specs

  • Customization
    BetterSnapTool offers a high level of customization, allowing users to define their own snap areas and assign custom shortcuts for snapping windows.
  • Efficiency
    The app boosts productivity by enabling users to quickly arrange windows, making multitasking more efficient on macOS.
  • User-friendly Interface
    BetterSnapTool provides a straightforward and easy-to-use interface, making it accessible for users of different skill levels.
  • Multiple Display Support
    The tool supports multiple monitors, allowing users to manage windows across different screens seamlessly.

Possible disadvantages of BetterSnapTool

  • Learning Curve
    New users may face a slight learning curve when trying to make the most of the tool's customizations and settings.
  • Resource Usage
    Though generally lightweight, BetterSnapTool can occasionally consume more system resources, particularly when handling complex window arrangements.
  • Limited Free Features
    Some users might find the fully paid features to be limiting if they do not require extensive customization or additional features.
  • macOS Exclusivity
    BetterSnapTool is exclusive to macOS, thus not beneficial for users operating on Windows or Linux systems.

Analysis of yabai

Overall verdict

  • Yabai is highly regarded among users who seek advanced customization and control over their macOS window management. However, it may have a steep learning curve for those unfamiliar with tiling window managers or command-line tools.

Why this product is good

  • Yabai is a popular tiling window manager for macOS, designed to streamline and enhance window management through robust keyboard shortcuts and automation features. It is particularly appreciated for its flexibility and efficiency in organizing a large number of open applications, contributing to a more productive workflow.

Recommended for

  • Developers who need efficient multitasking tools.
  • Users comfortable with the command line who enjoy customizing their environment.
  • Power users looking to optimize their macOS user experience.

Analysis of BetterSnapTool

Overall verdict

  • BetterSnapTool is generally considered a good tool for macOS users who require efficient window management. Its user-friendly interface, customization options, and reliability make it a valuable addition for enhancing productivity.

Why this product is good

  • BetterSnapTool is a popular window management tool for macOS that allows users to quickly and easily resize and position windows using customizable snap areas. It enhances productivity by streamlining the process of organizing multiple windows on the desktop, making it especially useful for users who work with multiple applications simultaneously.

Recommended for

    BetterSnapTool is recommended for macOS users, including professionals, students, and multitaskers, who need to manage multiple applications or windows on a single screen effectively. It's particularly beneficial for those who perform tasks that require frequent window resizing and positioning, such as developers, designers, and office workers.

yabai videos

Yabai Demonstration

More videos:

  • Demo - yabai macOS Tiling Window Manager Demonstration

BetterSnapTool videos

Mac App Review - BetterSnapTool

More videos:

  • Review - BetterSnapTool Review!

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to yabai and BetterSnapTool)
Window Manager
74 74%
26% 26
OSX Tools
65 65%
35% 35
Mac Tools
76 76%
24% 24
Mac
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare yabai and BetterSnapTool

yabai Reviews

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BetterSnapTool Reviews

Top 6 Window Manager Apps for Mac
You can manage multiple windows on your Mac using various built-in features and third-party tools. For example, you can use Mission Control to view all open windows, Split View to divide the screen into two windows, or a third-party window manager, such as Swish or BetterSnapTool.
The 6 Best Mac Window Management Tools
BetterSnapTool is one of the oldest and closest alternatives to Magnet for a fraction of the price. You can simply drag and drop windows to snap them to the corner or side by side. Moreover, you can customize these snapping areas and window sizes to match your requirements.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, yabai seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 133 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

yabai mentions (133)

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BetterSnapTool mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of BetterSnapTool yet. Tracking of BetterSnapTool recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing yabai and BetterSnapTool, you can also consider the following products

Rectangle - Window management app based on Spectacle, written in Swift.

Spectacle App - Move and resize windows with ease.

Moom - Move your mouse over the green zoom button in any window, and Moom's mouse control overlay will appear (as seen in the above animation).

Magnet Window Manager - Magnet Developers

BTT Remote - A remote control for you Mac, using your iPhone or iPad

LayAuto - Automated window management for Mac ✨