1MachineTool vs Rectangle
A free, open-source window snapper, or snapping with layouts as one part of a larger app.
Checked against Rectangle’s own site, 18 October 2026
Short answer
For snapping alone, Rectangle is free and excellent. Choose 1MachineTool when windows are one of several jobs.
- Rectangle is MIT-licensed and free. Rectangle Pro is a one-time licence that adds layouts, throw, stash, pin and iCloud config sync.
- 1MachineTool's free tier snaps halves and maximises; Pro adds every target and layouts per display setup.
- Only 1MachineTool also launches apps, keeps clipboard history, monitors, cleans and manages the battery.
Two ways to do the job.
1MachineTool
Window snapping to every target, next display, saved layouts per display setup, drag to edge and dimming background windows, in the same palette as the launcher and clipboard.
Rectangle
Ryan Hanson's open-source window manager (MIT): keyboard shortcuts, drag-to-snap areas, repeat-to-cycle sizes and a Spectacle preset. Rectangle Pro is a one-time licence for 3 devices with a 10-day trial.
rectangleapp.comSide by side.
| Feature | 1MachineTool | Rectangle |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Price | Free, or Pro $29 once (one year of updates) | Free (open source); Pro is a one-time licence |
| Runs on | macOS now; Windows (v1.1) and Linux (v1.3) on the same licence | macOS |
| What it covers | Eleven tools: launcher, clipboard, windows, monitor, clean, power, battery, menu bar, network, security, VMs (when shipped) | Window snapping |
| Tells you why the machine is slow, hot, full or draining | Yes: one sentence, the evidence, the fix and an undo | No |
| Windows | ||
| Halves, thirds, corners | Halves and maximise free; the rest in Pro | Free |
| Drag to snap | Yes | Yes |
| Saved layouts | Per display setup (Pro) | Workspace layouts (Pro) |
| Throw, stash, pin | No | Pro |
| Open source | No | Yes (MIT) |
| Everything else | ||
| Launcher, clipboard, monitor, cleaner | Included | No |
| Windows and Linux | Windows in v1.1, Linux in v1.3; your Pro licence covers them | No |
| Install | Direct download | Direct download or Homebrew |
Scroll the table sideways.
Which one is for you.
Choose 1MachineTool if
- You want windows, launcher and clipboard behind one hotkey.
- You want layouts that come back when you change display setups.
- You'd pay once for the rest: cleaner, monitor, battery, menu bar.
Choose Rectangle if
- You want a free, open-source snapper and nothing else.
- You want throw, stash or pin from Rectangle Pro.
- You install everything with Homebrew.
Questions.
Can I keep Rectangle and use 1MachineTool for everything else?
Yes. Turn off 1MachineTool's Windows module and the two won't compete for shortcuts.
Is Rectangle really free?
Yes. Rectangle is open source under the MIT licence. Rectangle Pro is a separate paid app with a one-time licence.
Does 1MachineTool run on Windows?
Windows arrives in v1.1 and Linux in v1.3. A Pro licence bought now covers them.
Rectangle’s column comes from its own site on 18 October 2026. Prices and plans change; if something here is out of date, tell us and we will fix it.
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