BetterSnapTool icon

BetterSnapTool

BetterSnapTool is a powerful and highly customizable window management utility for macOS. It allows users to intuitively arrange, resize, and position application windows using simple drag-and-drop gestures to screen edges and corners, or via configurable keyboard shortcuts. It significantly enhances productivity for users working with multiple windows.

Andreas Hegenberg

License

Commercial

Platforms

Mac OS X

About BetterSnapTool

BetterSnapTool transforms how you interact with windows on your Mac. Inspired by features found on other operating systems but taken to a new level of customization, this application provides intuitive and efficient ways to manage your desktop space. At its core, BetterSnapTool leverages the concept of 'snapping' windows: by dragging a window to the edges or corners of your screen, you can automatically resize and position it into common layouts, such as filling half or a quarter of the screen. This simple gesture can dramatically speed up tasks that involve arranging multiple windows side-by-side, like comparing documents, multitasking, or organizing your workspace.


Beyond basic snapping, BetterSnapTool offers:

  • Extensive Customization: Configure specific actions for different screen areas. Dragging to the top edge could maximize, while dragging to the left might arrange the window to fill the left half. You can even define custom snap areas outside the standard corners and edges.
  • Keyboard Shortcut Power: For users who prefer keyboard-driven workflows, BetterSnapTool provides a robust system for assigning shortcuts to various window actions. This includes resizing, moving to different displays, centering, and applying predefined window layouts.
  • Support for Multiple Displays: Seamlessly manage windows across multiple monitors. Drag or use shortcuts to move windows between displays and snap them to edges regardless of which screen they are on.
  • Window Previews: As you drag a window to a snap area, BetterSnapTool provides a clear visual overlay showing you exactly how the window will be positioned and sized, eliminating guesswork.
  • Customizable Snap Areas: Go beyond the default grid. Define your own custom snap areas on the screen for unique layouts suited to your specific workflow needs.

This tool is designed to be lightweight and run efficiently in the background, becoming an almost invisible part of your workflow. It aims to reduce the time and effort spent manually resizing and arranging windows, freeing you up to focus on your actual work. Whether you need to quickly set up windows for split-screen viewing, manage applications across several displays, or prefer the speed of keyboard shortcuts, BetterSnapTool offers the flexibility and features to streamline your window management experience on macOS.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Highly customizable snap areas and actions.
  • Extensive keyboard shortcut support for power users.
  • Intuitive drag-and-drop with helpful visual previews.
  • Seamless support for multiple monitor setups.
  • Improves multitasking and window organization.

Cons

  • Configuration menu can be overwhelming for new users.

What Makes BetterSnapTool Stand Out

Highly Customizable Snap Areas

Allows users to define custom snap regions and actions, offering flexibility beyond standard grid layouts.

Robust Keyboard Shortcut Integration

Provides extensive options for assigning keyboard shortcuts to virtually any window management action, catering to power users.

Intuitive Drag-and-Drop with Previews

Combines simple drag gestures with visual previews, making it easy to understand and predict window placement.

Features & Capabilities

9 features

Expert Review

BetterSnapTool is a comprehensive window management solution for macOS, addressing a common frustration for users transitioning from platforms with built-in snapping features or those simply seeking more control over their desktop layout. The application excels at providing a highly intuitive yet deeply customizable way to arrange windows, significantly boosting productivity for anyone who frequently works with multiple applications simultaneously.


The core functionality, snapping windows by dragging them to screen edges and corners, is immediately accessible and effective. It quickly allows users to split their screen or arrange windows in quarters, which is invaluable for tasks like comparing documents, referencing information while writing, or managing multiple communication windows.


Where BetterSnapTool distinguishes itself is in its level of customization. Users are not limited to predefined snap zones; they can define their own custom areas on the screen, assigning specific actions to each. This allows for the creation of unique layouts tailored to individual workflows, such as specific small zones for utility windows or custom splits not covered by the standard grid. This flexibility is a major strength.


The integration of keyboard shortcuts is another highlight. For users who prefer keeping their hands on the keyboard, BetterSnapTool offers extensive options to control window positioning, resizing, moving between displays, and applying saved layouts entirely through shortcuts. This layer of control caters to power users and further enhances the application's productivity benefits.


The visual preview feature, which shows how a window will be positioned when dragged to a snap area, adds a layer of clarity and confidence to the drag-and-drop process. It eliminates guesswork and ensures windows are placed exactly where intended.


Performance is generally solid. BetterSnapTool runs in the background without noticeable impact on system resources, which is crucial for a utility that's constantly monitoring window activity.


While the wealth of options is a major pro, the initial configuration menu can feel slightly overwhelming due to the sheer number of settings available. However, the default settings are sensible enough for most users to get started immediately, and exploring the advanced options is rewarding for those who want to fine-tune their experience.


In conclusion, BetterSnapTool is a highly effective and versatile window manager for macOS. Its combination of intuitive drag-and-drop snapping, extensive customization options for both snap areas and keyboard shortcuts, and support for multiple displays makes it a powerful tool for optimizing desktop space and improving workflow efficiency. It successfully brings robust window management capabilities to macOS, exceeding the built-in options and providing valuable functionality for a wide range of users.

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