Spectacle
Eric Czarny
Spectacle is a free and open-source macOS application that allows you to organize your windows with simple keyboard shortcuts. It helps you to move, resize, and manage your application windows efficiently without using a mouse, improving your productivity.
User Sentiments
Top Likes
- Simple and easy to use
- Keyboard shortcuts for window management
- Free and open source
- Lightweight and efficient
Top Dislikes
- No longer actively maintained
- No snapping with mouse, only keyboard shortcuts
- Potential compatibility issues with newer macOS versions
Popular Comments
Reddit User - TypicalRandomNerd
2019-04-29
If you are coming to macOS from Windows, install Spectacle... This little program (Spectacle) allows me to snap windows side by side with the press of a hotkey... and has brought my productivity in line to where it was in Windows.
MacUpdate User
2016-12-27
Spectacle is a simple utility that allows you to easily organize your windows without using a mouse... Those familiar with similar apps will find Spectacle to be a simple and unobtrusive way to become more productive while using your Mac.
CNet Editors' Review
2018-06-04
Spectacle allows you to quickly reposition and organize open windows on your Mac, in a manner similar to Microsoft's Snap feature for Windows. Pros. Great organizational tool: Spectacle can increase your productivity by organizing your messy desktop.
Softonic User Review
2025
Spectacle is recommended for those that wish to more seamlessly interact with their Mac without having to painfully resize windows every time they toggle a new app. If you need to work with two applications or windows at once, there's no better application than Spectacle.
Product Hunt User - Marc St Raymond
2014-09-01
Absolutely a must have utility... One of the essential applications on all of my macs. ... Does exactly what it promises and is free of any extra unnecessary features. Exactly what I want from this app!
Reddit User - Creative-Trouble3473
2020-12-11
I used to have a 2013 model MBP for a few years and used spectacle to allow window tiling on Mac.
Detailed Review
Spectacle is a free, open-source utility designed for macOS to simplify window management. It enables users to efficiently organize application windows using customizable keyboard shortcuts, eliminating the need for mouse interaction. Spectacle is particularly useful for users who frequently work with multiple applications and windows simultaneously, boosting productivity by streamlining window arrangement. While it offers a range of features for window resizing and positioning, it's important to note that Spectacle is no longer actively maintained by its original developer.
Standout Features
- Keyboard Shortcuts: Spectacle's core functionality revolves around keyboard shortcuts for window manipulation. Users can easily move windows to halves, quarters, center, or maximize them using simple key combinations.
- Customizable Shortcuts: The default keyboard shortcuts are customizable, allowing users to tailor the app to their specific workflow preferences.
- Multi-Display Support: Spectacle seamlessly supports multiple displays, enabling users to manage windows across different screens effortlessly.
- Lightweight and Free: As a small and free application, Spectacle provides significant utility without consuming excessive system resources or incurring any cost.
- Simple to Use: Spectacle is designed to be straightforward and unobtrusive. Once installed, it runs in the menu bar, ready to be activated via keyboard shortcuts.
Conclusion
Spectacle is a valuable tool for Mac users seeking efficient window management through keyboard shortcuts. Its simplicity, customizability, and free nature made it a popular choice for enhancing productivity. However, due to its lack of active maintenance, users might encounter compatibility issues with newer macOS versions. For users seeking actively maintained alternatives with similar functionality, Rectangle app is often recommended as a worthy successor, inheriting Spectacle's core features and even offering additional enhancements. Despite its maintenance status, Spectacle remains a functional and useful application, especially for users on older macOS versions or those who prefer its specific set of features and simplicity.
