Magnet snaps windows into predefined positions on macOS using keyboard shortcuts, drag-to-edge gestures, or the menu bar icon. It extends macOS’s native window tiling with additional layout options including thirds, quarters, and custom arrangements, providing more granular control than the built-in Stage Manager and split-view features. ($4.99, one-time)
The core workflow involves assigning keyboard shortcuts to window positions — halves (left, right, top, bottom), thirds (left, center, right), quarters (all four corners), and fullscreen — and using those shortcuts to position the active window without touching the mouse. Alternatively, dragging a window to the edge or corner of the screen triggers snapping into the adjacent zone. Both activation methods are individually configurable, so users who prefer keyboard-only operation can disable drag zones.
Magnet supports up to six external displays simultaneously, with shortcuts that move windows between monitors. iCloud sync carries shortcut configurations across multiple Macs using the same Apple ID. The menu bar icon provides a visual layout picker and access to settings, and the icon itself can be hidden for users who rely exclusively on keyboard shortcuts.
The app integrates with macOS Sequoia’s native tiling and coexists with other window management tools. Vertical display orientations are supported for portrait-mode monitors.
System requirements: macOS 13 Ventura or later. Available on the Mac App Store.
Pricing: ($4.99, one-time)
Limitations: Custom layout positions beyond the predefined set require configuring individual shortcuts; the app does not support fully arbitrary grid snapping or pixel-precise dragging zones. The drag-to-edge activation can conflict with apps that use edge swipe gestures, requiring manual disabling of specific trigger zones. No free trial is available; the purchase is required to evaluate the full feature set.
Alternatives: Rectangle (free, open-source) provides nearly identical snapping functionality. Moom offers saved custom window layouts and scripting support. BetterSnap Tool provides similar drag zones with additional customization options. macOS Sequoia includes native window tiling that covers basic half-screen and quarter-screen arrangements without third-party software.
Suitable for users who work across multiple windows simultaneously and want fast, keyboard-driven window positioning without switching to a full-featured tiling window manager.
