FavTray vs Rectangle
Both snap Mac windows with keyboard shortcuts. Rectangle is a dedicated window manager. FavTray bundles window management with its other developer tools in one icon.
See it in action
Feature Comparison
| Feature | FavTray | Rectangle |
|---|---|---|
| Snap layouts | 15 layouts (halves, thirds, quarters, fullscreen) | 15+ layouts (halves, thirds, quarters, sixths, custom) |
| Keyboard shortcuts | Customizable per layout | Customizable per layout |
| Drag-to-edge snapping | Yes with visual overlay | Yes (Pro only) |
| Multi-monitor | Yes | Yes |
| Instant restore | Yes | No |
| Price | Free (thirds 20 a day) / $4.99 once | Free / $9.99 Pro |
| Menu bar icon | Shared with the rest of FavTray | Separate icon |
| Eye rest timer | Included (free) | Not available |
| AI cost tracking | Included | Not available |
| System monitoring | Included | Not available |
| Port management | Included (free) | Not available |
| Keep alive | Included | Not available |
| Cloud costs | Included | Not available |
| Privacy | No FavTray server, no telemetry | Local (telemetry opt-out) |
| Open source | No | Yes (free version) |
The Verdict
Rectangle is the better choice if window management is your only need — it has more layouts, it's open source, and the free version is excellent. FavTray is the better choice if you already use (or want) an eye rest timer, AI cost tracker, system monitor, or keep-alive tool alongside your window manager. FavTray consolidates its tools into one icon (window snapping is free, thirds 20 a day; Pro removes the limits for a one-time $4.99), while Rectangle alone costs $9.99 one-time for Pro features. Weighing more than these two? See our guide to the best window managers for Mac.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is FavTray better than Rectangle?
It depends on your needs. Rectangle is a dedicated window manager with more layout options (15+) and an open-source free version. FavTray covers 15 layouts which handle 80% of common workflows, but also includes other tools (eye rest, AI tracking, port kill, system info, keep alive, menu bar manager, cloud costs, GitHub notifications, reminders, meetings, AI writer, screenshot) in the same menu bar icon. If you only need window management, Rectangle may be the better choice. If you use 3+ menu bar utilities, FavTray consolidates them.
Can FavTray replace Rectangle?
For most developers, yes. FavTray's 15 snap layouts cover left/right halves, thirds, quarters, and fullscreen — the layouts developers use most frequently. If you rely on Rectangle's advanced features like custom sizes, almost-maximize, or sixths, you may miss those. But FavTray adds other tools that Rectangle doesn't offer.
Is Rectangle free?
Rectangle's basic version is free and open source with keyboard shortcuts for window snapping. Rectangle Pro costs $9.99 one-time and adds features like custom sizes, app-specific settings, and drag-to-snap. All 15 FavTray layouts, custom shortcuts and drag-to-edge are free; thirds and two-thirds are free 20 times a day, and Pro makes them unlimited for a one-time $4.99.
Does FavTray use a separate menu bar icon like Rectangle?
No. FavTray's window manager shares a single menu bar icon with the rest of FavTray. Rectangle adds its own separate icon. If you're already running a timer, system monitor, and keep-alive app alongside Rectangle, that's 4+ icons that FavTray consolidates into one.