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yabai alternatives: 4 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave yabai: best features require partially disabling SIP, and no settings window; config and shell only. We ranked 4 alternatives by how directly each one replaces yabai, 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 466.5
2Amethyst logoAmethystOpen sourceYesmacOS4 of 462.6
3Rectangle logoRectangleOpen sourceYesmacOS5 of 557.2
4Hammerspoon logoHammerspoonOpen sourceYesmacOS4 of 450.3
  1. AeroSpace logo

    1. AeroSpaceTop pick

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

    Open sourcemacOS

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from yabai

    i3-style tiling that does not need SIP disabled, with its own fast workspaces.

    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 ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

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

    Is AeroSpace a good yabai 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 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    SIP
    Not required to disable
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Configuration
    Plain text (TOML)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Amethyst logo

    2. Amethyst

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

    Open sourcemacOS

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from yabai

    Simpler preset tiling layouts with a normal settings window.

    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 ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

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

    Is Amethyst a good yabai 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 25, 2026ianyh.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Install
    Download or Homebrew cask
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ianyh.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Requirements
    macOS 10.15 or later
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ianyh.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Rectangle logo

    3. Rectangle

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

    Open sourcemacOS

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from yabai

    Manual keyboard snapping if automatic tiling turns out to be too much.

    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 ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

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

    Is Rectangle a good yabai alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    License
    MIT
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Price
    Free and open source
    Checked Oct 25, 2026rectangleapp.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Pro free trial
    10 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026rectangleapp.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Pro licence
    3 devices at a time
    Checked Oct 25, 2026rectangleapp.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Spectacle shortcuts
    Supported
    Checked Oct 25, 2026rectangleapp.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Hammerspoon logo

    4. Hammerspoon

    Best for: Developers who want to script their own Mac utilities instead of buying several

    Open sourcemacOS

    50.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from yabai

    General Lua automation that can also script window arrangements.

    Pros

    • Can replace many small utilities with code
    • Broad APIs across windows, input, network and devices
    • Spoons provide ready-made modules
    • Free and open source

    Cons

    • Requires writing Lua
    • No graphical editor for automations
    • Debugging configs can be fiddly
    Visit Hammerspoon Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.346
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

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

    Is Hammerspoon a good yabai alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    MIT
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Scripting language
    Lua
    Checked Oct 25, 2026hammerspoon.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Default behaviour
    Does nothing until configured
    Checked Oct 25, 2026hammerspoon.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Plugins
    Spoons
    Checked Oct 25, 2026hammerspoon.org(opens source in a new tab)

The best yabai alternative for…

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

AeroSpace logo

Best yabai alternative for most people

AeroSpace

i3-style tiling that does not need SIP disabled, with its own fast workspaces.

Amethyst logo

Best yabai alternative for a free option

Amethyst

Simpler preset tiling layouts with a normal settings window.

Rectangle logo

Best yabai alternative for open source

Rectangle

Manual keyboard snapping if automatic tiling turns out to be too much.

Hammerspoon logo

Best yabai alternative for Mac

Hammerspoon

General Lua automation that can also script window arrangements.

yabai alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to yabai?

AeroSpace ranks first right now. i3-style tiling that does not need SIP disabled, with its own fast workspaces. Amethyst and Rectangle follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to yabai?

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

Is there an open-source alternative to yabai?

Yes: AeroSpace, Amethyst, Rectangle and Hammerspoon.

Why do people switch from yabai?

The complaints we hear most: best features require partially disabling SIP; no settings window; config and shell only; shortcuts need a separate tool such as skhd.

How is this list ranked?

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