DockThumbLooking for a Rectangle alternative? Here’s when DockThumb fits, and when it doesn’t.
Rectangle is the most common free tiling app on the Mac. Keyboard shortcuts send a window to a half, a third or a quarter of the screen, and snap areas let you drop a window on an edge. Rectangle Pro adds more layouts and options.
Pick Rectangle if…
- You only need tiling
- You like snapping windows by dragging them to edges
- You want lots of layout options
Free, open source (Pro: $10)
Pick DockThumb if…
- You want every window sorted into a grid by type with one key
- You also want a switcher, pin-on-top and Dock actions
- You prefer one app over several
$4.99 once · yours for life
What Rectangle does well
For pure tiling, Rectangle is hard to beat: it is free, light, open source and has shortcuts for almost every position. Snapping by dragging to edges is something DockThumb does not do.
What DockThumb adds
DockThumb covers the everyday positions (halves and thirds with ⌃⌥ + arrows) and adds one thing Rectangle does not: ⌃⌥A sorts every open window into a grid, grouped by type. It also includes a switcher grouped by type, a pinned window, and hover + one key in the Dock.
Side by side
| Feature | DockThumb | Rectangle |
|---|---|---|
| Halves, thirds, quarters by keyboard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Snap areas when dragging | ✕ | ✓ |
| Auto-grid every window by type | ✓ | ✕ |
| Window switcher grouped by type | ✓ | ✕ |
| Act on files inside Dock stacks | ✓ | ✕ |
| Pin a window on top | ✓ | ✕ |
| Free | ✕ | ✓ |
| Price | $4.99 once | Free, open source (Pro: $10) |
Price: Rectangle vs DockThumb
Rectangle is free and Rectangle Pro is $10. DockThumb is $4.99 once. If tiling is all you need, the free Rectangle is the sensible choice. DockThumb makes sense when you want tiling plus the Dock and switching in one app.
Prices noted on October 15, 2026. ~ means partly. Check Rectangle’s official site before buying: rectangleapp.com
What it looks like in DockThumb
Questions
What’s the best Rectangle alternative for Mac?
There is no single best one: it depends on what you use Rectangle for. DockThumb covers the everyday positions (halves and thirds with ⌃⌥ + arrows) and adds one thing Rectangle does not: ⌃⌥A sorts every open window into a grid, grouped by type. It also includes a switcher grouped by type, a pinned window, and hover + one key in the Dock.
How much does Rectangle cost?
Rectangle: Free, open source (Pro: $10), as noted on October 15, 2026. DockThumb costs $4.99 once, with no subscription and a 14-day refund.
Can I use DockThumb and Rectangle at the same time?
Yes, as long as the shortcuts don’t overlap. Turn off DockThumb’s tiling in Settings if you prefer Rectangle’s.
Which Macs does DockThumb run on?
DockThumb needs macOS 14 Sonoma or later on a Mac with Apple silicon. Intel Macs are not supported.
Hover it. Press a key. That’s the trick.
$4.99 once, no subscription, no account, 14-day refund. macOS 14 or later on Apple silicon.