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OmniWM alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 29, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave OmniWM: requires the latest macOS (26 Tahoe) and Apple Silicon, and young project with frequent breaking releases. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces OmniWM, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. AeroSpace currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1AeroSpace logoAeroSpaceOpen sourceYesmacOS4 of 468.8
2yabai logoyabaiOpen sourceYesmacOS4 of 464.8
3Amethyst logoAmethystOpen sourceYesmacOS4 of 461.8
4Rectangle logoRectangleOpen sourceYesmacOS5 of 559.4
5Loop logoLoopOpen sourceYesmacOS4 of 457.5
  1. AeroSpace logo

    1. AeroSpaceTop pick

    Best for: Keyboard-driven developers who want i3-style tiling on a Mac without disabling SIP

    Open sourcemacOS

    68.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from OmniWM

    Free i3-style tiler for macOS that runs on older macOS versions and Intel Macs too.

    Pros

    • Automatic tiling with instant workspace switching
    • Plain-text config and a scriptable CLI
    • Does not require disabling SIP
    • Free and open source

    Cons

    • Still labelled beta
    • Not notarised by Apple
    • Steep learning curve if you are new to tiling
    Visit AeroSpace Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is AeroSpace a good OmniWM alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    MIT
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Tiling model
    i3-like tree
    Checked Oct 29, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    SIP
    Not required to disable
    Checked Oct 29, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Configuration
    Plain text (TOML)
    Checked Oct 29, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. yabai logo

    2. yabai

    Best for: Developers who want a fully scriptable tiling window manager on macOS

    Open sourcemacOS

    64.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from OmniWM

    Long-running BSP tiling manager for macOS with deep scripting through its own CLI.

    Pros

    • Automatic BSP tiling with stacking and floating
    • Fully scriptable command-line control
    • Free and open source

    Cons

    • Best features require partially disabling SIP
    • No settings window; config and shell only
    • Shortcuts need a separate tool such as skhd
    Visit yabai Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is yabai a good OmniWM alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    MIT
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Tiling algorithm
    Binary space partitioning
    Checked Oct 29, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Keyboard shortcuts
    Via skhd or similar
    Checked Oct 29, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    SIP
    Partly disabling it is optional, for some features
    Checked Oct 29, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Amethyst logo

    3. Amethyst

    Best for: Mac users who want automatic tiling without config files or system tweaks

    Open sourcemacOS

    61.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from OmniWM

    Simpler xmonad-style automatic tiling with a settings window and no config files needed.

    Pros

    • Several preset tiling layouts
    • Regular settings window, no config file needed
    • Free and open source
    • No need to disable SIP

    Cons

    • Less scriptable than yabai or AeroSpace
    • Relies on macOS Spaces, which can be sluggish
    • Some apps resist being tiled
    Visit Amethyst Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Amethyst a good OmniWM alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    MIT
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Model
    xmonad-style tiling
    Checked Oct 29, 2026ianyh.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Install
    Download or Homebrew cask
    Checked Oct 29, 2026ianyh.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Requirements
    macOS 10.15 or later
    Checked Oct 29, 2026ianyh.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Rectangle logo

    4. Rectangle

    Best for: Mac users who want simple, free keyboard and drag-to-edge window snapping

    Open sourcemacOS

    59.4

    score / 100

    Why switch from OmniWM

    Free snapping tool for people who want keyboard window placement without full tiling.

    Pros

    • Free and open source
    • Shortcuts and drag-to-snap both work well
    • Easy switch from Spectacle
    • Paid Pro version available for layouts and more

    Cons

    • No automatic tiling
    • Workspace layouts need the separate paid Pro app
    • Latest version needs macOS 14 or later
    Visit Rectangle Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Rectangle a good OmniWM alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    License
    MIT
    Checked Oct 29, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Price
    Free and open source
    Checked Oct 29, 2026rectangleapp.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Pro free trial
    10 days
    Checked Oct 29, 2026rectangleapp.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Pro licence
    3 devices at a time
    Checked Oct 29, 2026rectangleapp.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Spectacle shortcuts
    Supported
    Checked Oct 29, 2026rectangleapp.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Loop logo

    5. Loop

    Best for: Mac users who like mouse-direction gestures for window snapping

    Open sourcemacOS

    57.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from OmniWM

    Open-source radial-menu window mover for those who find tiling too rigid.

    Pros

    • Free and open source
    • Radial menu is quick once learned
    • Themeable, with shortcuts and cycles
    • Stash windows at the screen edge

    Cons

    • No saved layouts or automatic tiling
    • Radial-menu approach takes getting used to
    • Mac only, macOS 13 or later
    Visit Loop Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Loop a good OmniWM alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Requirements
    macOS 13 or later
    Checked Oct 29, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Radial menu
    Yes
    Checked Oct 29, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Window stash
    Yes
    Checked Oct 29, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best OmniWM alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

AeroSpace logo

Best OmniWM alternative for most people

AeroSpace

Free i3-style tiler for macOS that runs on older macOS versions and Intel Macs too.

yabai logo

Best OmniWM alternative for a free option

yabai

Long-running BSP tiling manager for macOS with deep scripting through its own CLI.

Amethyst logo

Best OmniWM alternative for open source

Amethyst

Simpler xmonad-style automatic tiling with a settings window and no config files needed.

Rectangle logo

Best OmniWM alternative for Mac

Rectangle

Free snapping tool for people who want keyboard window placement without full tiling.

OmniWM alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to OmniWM?

AeroSpace ranks first right now. Free i3-style tiler for macOS that runs on older macOS versions and Intel Macs too. yabai and Amethyst follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to OmniWM?

Yes. AeroSpace (open source), yabai (open source), Amethyst (open source) and Rectangle (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to OmniWM?

Yes: AeroSpace, yabai, Amethyst and Rectangle, plus 1 more in the list above.

Why do people switch from OmniWM?

The complaints we hear most: requires the latest macOS (26 Tahoe) and Apple Silicon; young project with frequent breaking releases; mac only.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces OmniWM, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.