Best Free Spectacle Alternative for Mac
Spectacle is unmaintained, but Notchy gives you full window snapping with keyboard shortcuts integrated directly into your MacBook notch.
Why switch from Spectacle to Notchy?
Spectacle is open-source but no longer maintained for modern macOS Sequoia. Notchy offers built-in 120Hz window snapping along with a clipboard manager and media HUD.
Quick Setup Guide
- 1Install Notchy
Download Notchy from notchy.dev. It installs in seconds and runs from your menu bar.
- 2Grant Accessibility Permissions
Allow Accessibility access so Notchy can handle keyboard shortcuts, window snapping, and notch interactions.
- 3Open the Island
Hover over the notch at the top of your screen to reveal the interactive island and its built-in widgets.
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)
Why Notchy leads the pack
While single-purpose utilities charge expensive subscription fees or license costs, Notchy gives you a completely free, native SwiftUI Dynamic Island. It integrates window snapping, clipboard history, Pomodoro timers, file drop shelves, and AI usage tracking directly into your Mac's notch.
Notchy vs Spectacle
An honest look at how a free all-in-one notch app compares to a dedicated window manager app.
| Feature | Notchy | Spectacle |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Spectacle shines: deeper custom grids, per-app window rules, and multi-monitor profiles that power users swear by — fair is fair. Notchy just happens to bundle window manager tools with 20+ other utilities, free forever.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why switch from Spectacle to Notchy?
Spectacle is open-source but no longer maintained for modern macOS Sequoia. Notchy offers built-in 120Hz window snapping along with a clipboard manager and media HUD.
Is Notchy free to use?
Yes, Notchy is 100% free with no subscription, no ads, and no data tracking. It is supported purely by optional user coffee donations.
Does it drain my Mac's battery?
No. Because Notchy is built natively in SwiftUI, it stays light on CPU and battery. It runs no web views or Electron in the background.