Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

yabai VS Magnet Window Manager

Compare yabai VS Magnet Window Manager and see what are their differences

yabai logo yabai

A tiling window manager for macOS based on binary space partitioning

Magnet Window Manager logo Magnet Window Manager

Magnet Developers
  • yabai Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-26
  • Magnet Window Manager Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-27

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.

Magnet Window Manager features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    Magnet offers a user-friendly interface that allows users to easily snap windows to various parts of the screen using simple drag-and-drop gestures or keyboard shortcuts.
  • Productivity
    By enabling users to organize multiple windows efficiently, Magnet enhances productivity, especially for those who multitask or need to manage numerous applications simultaneously.
  • Customizability
    The app provides customizable keyboard shortcuts, allowing users to tailor the application to fit their workflow and preferences.
  • Compatibility
    Magnet works seamlessly with a wide variety of macOS applications, ensuring that window management features are consistently available.
  • Affordability
    Magnet is relatively inexpensive, making it an accessible option for users who need advanced window management without breaking the bank.

Possible disadvantages of Magnet Window Manager

  • Limited Advanced Features
    While Magnet is excellent for basic window management, it may lack some advanced features that power users might find in more comprehensive window management tools.
  • No Free Version
    Magnet does not offer a free version. Users must purchase the app, which might be a drawback for those looking for cost-free solutions.
  • MacOS Only
    Magnet is exclusively available for macOS, limiting its usefulness for users who also operate on other platforms such as Windows or Linux.
  • Occasional Bugs
    Some users have reported occasional bugs or glitches, especially following macOS updates, which can disrupt the user experience until patched.
  • Minimal User Interface
    The minimalistic design of the user interface, while clean, may not provide as much visual feedback or customization options as some users might prefer.

yabai videos

Yabai Demonstration

More videos:

  • Demo - yabai macOS Tiling Window Manager Demonstration

Magnet Window Manager videos

Review: Magnet window manager for OS X

More videos:

  • Review - Magnet Window Manager for Mac Review - #AgencyToolbox

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to yabai and Magnet Window Manager)
Window Manager
48 48%
52% 52
OSX Tools
45 45%
55% 55
Mac Tools
49 49%
51% 51
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 Magnet Window Manager

yabai Reviews

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Magnet Window Manager Reviews

Best 6 Mac Window Managers
Rectangle shows that you don’t need to dip into your bank account to get window resizer tools. This free Mac window manager lets you manage multiple windows using keyboard shortcuts, menu options, or by dragging and dropping. Just like Magnet, you can split your screen up into quarters, thirds, or halves.
Source: mackeeper.com
Top 6 Window Manager Apps for Mac
Most window manager apps for Mac support multiple monitors. They can help you move windows between screens and create custom layouts for each monitor. Many window manager apps – such as BetterSnapTool, Magnet, and Rectangle – offer this functionality.
The 6 Best Mac Window Management Tools
Magnet supports up to six external displays in different orientations, including vertical orientation. You can get Magnet from the App Store for a $7.99 one-time fee, which is pretty reasonable, especially if you miss Windows 11's Snap feature.
Moom vs Magnet vs Spectacle
There are some tools to improve this on macOS. The two I have tried are Moom and Magnet. And lastly I tried Rectangle as well. They are very similar in the way that they intend to solve the same problem, but they differ in some essential parts.
Source: medium.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, yabai should be more popular than Magnet Window Manager. 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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Magnet Window Manager mentions (68)

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing yabai and Magnet Window Manager, you can also consider the following products

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

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).

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

Spectacle App - Move and resize windows with ease.

Mizage Divvy - Divvy is an entirely new way of managing your workspace.

i3 - A dynamic tiling window manager designed for X11, inspired by wmii, and written in C.