BetterStage vs AeroSpace
AeroSpace is a tiling window manager inspired by i3 with tree-based layouts and CLI configuration. BetterStage provides TabStack automatic tiling through a native GUI, plus named stages, mixed per-display modes, and workspace recovery.
Your workspace
Automatic recovery · Free
After restart, wake, or display changes
Saved Workspaces · Pro
Save a named setup. Load it when needed.
Restore the whole desk, not just a window layout.
Workspace Continuity recovers stages, window positions, per-monitor Window Modes, and TabStack panes after restart, wake, or display changes. It is included in the free tier. Pro adds named Saved Workspaces. With automatic workspace recovery enabled, windows from disconnected displays become available on remaining displays and join their TabStack panes. On reconnection, choose Restore or Keep Current Layout in a nonblocking dialog on the display containing your pointer.
In Pro, assign a keyboard shortcut to load a specific Saved Workspace directly. Optional Clean Load quits apps and removes Stages outside that Workspace before loading it. Apps are never force-quit: loading stops if an app stays open, and Clean Load resets after each use.
If a Saved Workspace includes a disconnected display, choose a connected destination and create Stages or merge its windows. Matching saved layouts take priority, and exceeding the Stage limit offers a Merge option. Previews show each display's saved Window Mode.
Explore Workspaces & ContinuityMake TabStack comfortable for your setup
Adjust tab height, active and inactive text colors, and empty-pane close button visibility. Automatic contrast keeps labels readable, and Tab Appearance has its own Reset to Defaults button. Applying your default layout when entering TabStack is opt-in.
Explore TabStack appearance and layouts →Try BetterStage against AeroSpace
Download the free tier and test the faster multi-monitor workflow on your own setup.
AeroSpace is a newer tiling window manager for macOS, inspired by i3wm on Linux. It uses tree-based tiling, its own virtual workspaces (emulated in user space rather than native macOS Spaces), and a TOML config file for all settings. It's designed for power users who want an i3-style workflow on their Mac.
AeroSpace's main friction is its configuration model: everything lives in a TOML file with no GUI, and the i3-style, keyboard-first workflow is a steep learning curve for anyone who hasn't used a tiling WM. There are no snap zones, no visual layout picker, and no AI assistance.
BetterStage provides BSP tiling through a native settings UI instead of a config file. Its own workspace layer avoids the Spaces desktop-slide transition and adds mixed per-display modes, snap zones, a visual Snap Wheel, recovery, and optional AI Staging.
Full feature comparison
How BetterStage compares across the entire macOS window manager landscape.
| Feature | BetterStage | Stage Mgr | Spaces | Rectangle | yabai | AeroSpace |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic workspace recovery after restart, wake & display changes | ||||||
| Save & load complete named multi-monitor workspaces | Pro: per-Workspace shortcuts & Clean Load | Partial | Partial | |||
| Per-monitor Window Modes | ||||||
| TabStack layouts (multi-window panes) | Pro: adjustable tab height & text colors | |||||
| AI Staging (describe your workspace in chat) | ||||||
| Managed AI, no API key (BetterStage AI) | ||||||
| Named workspaces | Partial | |||||
| Multi-monitor stages | N/A | |||||
| Workspace switching without a desktop-slide transition | N/A | |||||
| TabStack automatic tiling | ||||||
| Snap zones | 16 zones, including Center | |||||
| Snap Wheel (radial picker) | ||||||
| No SIP disable | Core: yes | |||||
| Native GUI settings | ||||||
| Keyboard, mouse, and trackpad shortcuts | Fully customizable | Limited | Limited | |||
| Free tier | 3 stages | Built-in | Built-in | Free | Free | Free |
Comparison methodology
We compare the current public feature set using first-party product documentation and the shipped BetterStage app. We separate window positioning, automatic tiling, and workspace management because tools in those categories solve different problems. Prices and competitor features can change; the sources below were last verified on July 13, 2026.
Free with 3 stages. Requires macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later.
Other comparisons
vs macOS Stage Manager
Stage Manager centers the current app and keeps recent apps or groups in a side strip. BetterStage adds 9 user-named stages that switch every monitor together, direct keyboard shortcuts, tiling, and saved workspace recovery.
vs macOS Spaces
Spaces uses an animated desktop transition and numbered desktops with no project names or built-in layout memory. BetterStage switches named project stages without a desktop-slide transition and keeps each display's Window Mode with the stage.
vs Rectangle
Rectangle is a free utility for placing individual windows. BetterStage adds named project stages, automatic tiling, TabStack panes, and workspace recovery.
vs Magnet
Magnet is a paid Mac App Store utility for placing individual windows. BetterStage combines quick placement with named multi-display workspaces, automatic layout modes, and recovery.
vs yabai
yabai is a highly configurable tiling window manager with shell-script configuration. Its core works with SIP enabled, while advanced scripting-addition features require partial SIP changes. BetterStage offers visual setup with no SIP changes.
vs Moom
Moom combines window snapping, a grid, and saved position layouts. BetterStage focuses on live project workspaces that switch throughout the day, with automatic recovery and optional tiling or tabbed panes.
vs Swish
Swish is a gesture-based window manager with elegant trackpad controls. BetterStage focuses on keyboard-first workspace management with named stages, TabStack automatic tiling, and multi-monitor stage switching that Swish doesn't offer.
vs Loop
Loop is a free radial snapping utility built around key-and-flick placement. BetterStage puts a radial Snap Wheel inside a complete workspace manager with named stages, automatic tiling, and recovery.
vs Raycast
Raycast is a launcher with built-in window-management commands. BetterStage manages complete project workspaces, while Raycast remains a complementary launcher for apps and commands.
vs Tiles
Tiles is a keyboard-driven window snapping app with edge gestures and a menu bar. BetterStage adds named project workspaces, automatic tiling, TabStack layouts, and recovery beyond individual-window placement.
vs Amethyst
Amethyst is a free, open-source tiling window manager with i3-style automatic layouts — but it relies on macOS Spaces for workspaces and is configured by keyboard shortcuts and a plist. BetterStage offers auto-tiling with a native GUI, its own instant workspace layer, and AI Staging.
vs BetterTouchTool
BetterTouchTool is a powerful automation and input-customization app that can also snap windows. BetterStage is a focused workspace manager — named multi-monitor stages, TabStack automatic tiling, a Snap Wheel, and AI Staging — without the configuration overhead.
BetterStage features updated for 2.0.3 · September 9, 2026
Competitor facts verified: 2026-07-13