Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

yabai VS DeskPins

Compare yabai VS DeskPins and see what are their differences

yabai logo yabai

A tiling window manager for macOS based on binary space partitioning

DeskPins logo DeskPins

DeskPins can be used to make any application topmost, that is, to keep it above all other windows.
  • yabai Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-26
  • DeskPins Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-24

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.

DeskPins features and specs

  • Freeware
    DeskPins is available for free, providing a cost-effective solution for pinning windows on top of others without any financial investment.
  • Lightweight
    The application is lightweight and consumes minimal system resources, making it suitable for use on older or less powerful systems.
  • User-Friendly
    DeskPins has an intuitive interface that is easy to use, even for users who are not very tech-savvy, allowing for quick pinning and unpinning of windows.
  • Customizable Hotkeys
    Users have the option to set customizable hotkeys, enabling quick access and control over the window pinning feature without navigating through menus.
  • Compatibility
    DeskPins is compatible with various versions of Windows, making it a versatile choice for users across different systems and setups.

Possible disadvantages of DeskPins

  • Limited Features
    While functional, DeskPins lacks advanced features found in other window management tools, such as window snapping or multi-monitor support.
  • Outdated Interface
    The user interface of DeskPins is somewhat outdated compared to modern software, which might not appeal to users who prefer sleek, contemporary designs.
  • Windows Only
    DeskPins is exclusively available for Windows, limiting its usability for users who operate on other operating systems like macOS or Linux.
  • Potential Compatibility Issues
    As DeskPins has not been actively updated, there may be potential compatibility issues with the latest versions of Windows or conflicts with other software.

yabai videos

Yabai Demonstration

More videos:

  • Demo - yabai macOS Tiling Window Manager Demonstration

DeskPins videos

DeskPins - Review

More videos:

  • Review - DeskPins - The Ultimate Way To Pin Programs To The Top!
  • Review - DeskPins

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to yabai and DeskPins)
Window Manager
86 86%
14% 14
OSX Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Image Optimisation
0 0%
100% 100
Mac Tools
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, yabai seems to be a lot more popular than DeskPins. While we know about 133 links to yabai, we've tracked only 4 mentions of DeskPins. 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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DeskPins mentions (4)

  • PCoIP- Monitor issues
    A small work around is to use a software that puts windows always on top. I've been using for years DeskPins and just having to press Ctrl + F12 to pin a window on above the PCoIP window. Source: about 2 years ago
  • AlwaysOnTop Switch - Switch On\Off the AlwaysOnTop style of any window.
    This looks like a worse version of Deskpins. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Is there anyway to have a note on top of borderless window (image-in-image)? Like on the picture. thanks.
    Windows supports always on top but is not available in the UI but there are 3rd party programs like deskpins. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Steam VR, Oculus Link, VD stuttering hard, constant stuttering
    First you need to toggle on console view like you've done before. Next, install a program calledDesk Pins. Once you have it installed, launch the Oculus app on your PC. Now, launch Desk Pins and grab a pin from your taskbar's hidden icons drawer. Pin your Oculus console with it and start up PC VR likee normal. The stutter should be gone. Pin the console window like this every time you start VR and you should be... Source: over 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

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

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

WindowTop - Easly set any window on top, just move the mouse to the top area of the window.

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).

Window On Top by Compzets.com - "Window On Top" is a small gadget made by Compzets.

Magnet Window Manager - Magnet Developers

PinWin - Download PinWin - Pin On Top for free. Pin any window to be always on top of the screen. PinWin is a minimal Windows system tray application that allows you to pin any windows to the top of the screen with one click.