A free Rectangle alternative for Mac
Get window snapping plus clipboard history, AI tracking, and media controls in one lightweight native app.
Should you switch from Rectangle to Notchy?
Rectangle is already free. Choose Notchy if you want to tile windows through the notch and keep clipboard history, timers, and media controls in the same app. Keep Rectangle if you prefer its dedicated keyboard and screen-edge controls; consider Rectangle Pro if you need saved workspace layouts or custom window sizes.
Quick Setup Guide
- 1Install Notchy
Download Notchy, move it to Applications, and open it. Window snapping is included in the free app.
- 2Grant Accessibility Permissions
Enable Notchy in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility so it can move and resize other apps’ windows.
- 3Enable window snapping
Open Notchy Settings → Windows & Spaces. Turn on Snap Windows to the Notch. For keyboard controls, also turn on Snap with the Keyboard.
- 4Tile your first window
Drag a window by its title bar toward the notch. Release over Left or Right to place it in half of the display, or Full to fill the available desktop. Choose additional drag zones in Windows & Spaces.
For a simple two-window workspace, snap your browser to Left and your editor to Right. Full maximizes a window in the current desktop; it does not move it into a separate macOS full-screen Space. See the Mac window snapping guide for drag zones and display controls.
Notchy’s keyboard shortcuts and their limits
Enable Snap with the Keyboard in Settings → Windows & Spaces. These defaults move the front window; each shortcut can be rebound in the same settings page.
| Action | Default shortcut |
|---|---|
| Left half | Control + Option + Command + Left Arrow |
| Right half | Control + Option + Command + Right Arrow |
| Maximize in the current desktop | Control + Option + Command + Return |
Thirds and quarters are available through drag zones. With Repeat to Move Across Displays enabled, repeating Left or Right when a window is already in that half moves it to the adjacent display in that direction. This is not an import of Rectangle’s shortcuts or saved layouts.
What you get with Notchy
- Window snapping — drag a window to the notch to tile it
- Command palette (⌃⌥K) — every action one keystroke away
- App Launcher — pin apps to the notch, open with one tap
- Knock — double-tap a modifier key to open the notch
- Fluid Dynamic Island animations on the Mac notch
- Native SwiftUI, tuned for Apple silicon
- 134 languages, fully localized
- Mac clipboard history shelf (password-manager safe)
- Now Playing music controls (Apple Music & Spotify)
Which window manager fits your workflow?
Free Rectangle focuses on arranging windows with keyboard shortcuts and screen-edge snap areas. Notchy combines notch-based snapping with clipboard history, Pomodoro timers, file drop shelves, and AI usage tracking. Rectangle Pro adds custom sizes and positions, saved workspace layouts, and display-triggered arrangements. Choose based on those controls, rather than assuming the free Rectangle app requires a subscription.
Comparison checked October 9, 2026 against the official Rectangle website and Rectangle Pro feature list.
Notchy vs Rectangle
An honest look at how a free all-in-one notch app compares to a dedicated window manager app.
| Feature | Notchy | Rectangle |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free forever | Free (open source) |
| Window snapping & tiling | ✓ Included | ✓ Core feature |
| Keyboard window shortcuts | ✓ Included | ✓ Core feature |
| Clipboard history | ✓ Included | — |
| Pomodoro focus timer | ✓ Included | — |
| File drop shelf | ✓ Included | — |
| Notch widgets & HUDs | ✓ 20+ built in | — |
Where Rectangle shines: a dedicated keyboard-first workflow and configurable screen-edge snap areas; Rectangle Pro adds custom sizes and saved workspace layouts — fair is fair. Notchy just happens to bundle window manager tools with 20+ other utilities, free forever.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Rectangle keyboard shortcuts in Notchy?
Notchy’s optional keyboard controls cover left half, right half and maximizing the window (Control–Option–Command–Left Arrow, Right Arrow and Return by default). You can rebind them in Settings → Windows & Spaces. Thirds and quarters use drag zones; Notchy does not import Rectangle’s shortcut configuration.
Is Rectangle already free?
Yes. Rectangle is free and open source, with keyboard shortcuts and snapping at screen edges and corners. Rectangle Pro is a separate paid app with custom sizes, workspace layouts and other advanced controls. Notchy is another free option if you prefer snapping through the notch alongside its other tools.
Is Notchy free to use?
Yes. Window snapping is included with no subscription or ads. Notchy is supported by optional donations, and moving or resizing a window is performed locally on your Mac.
Why do the snap zones not appear?
Check that Accessibility access and Snap Windows to the Notch are enabled. Drag the window by its title bar toward the notch; selecting text or dragging content inside a window does not trigger snapping. If an app restricts its window size, the resulting layout may differ from the chosen zone.