Frequently asked questions

BetterStage is a native macOS workspace manager that combines named virtual desktops (called stages), per-monitor Window Modes (Bento Box auto-tiling and saved Tabbed Layouts), and snap zones in a single lightweight app. Unlike macOS Stage Manager, BetterStage stages span all your monitors simultaneously and switch instantly via keyboard shortcuts.

No. BetterStage works without any changes to System Integrity Protection (SIP). It uses the macOS Accessibility API to manage windows, which only requires granting Accessibility permission in System Settings. Unlike yabai, there is no need to partially disable SIP.

BetterStage requires only the Accessibility permission in macOS System Settings. This allows it to read window positions, move windows between stages, resize windows for tiling layouts, and manage window visibility during stage switches. No other permissions (Input Monitoring, Screen Recording, etc.) are required.

Yes. BetterStage stages span all your monitors at once. When you switch to Stage 1, every monitor shows its Stage 1 windows simultaneously. You can also pin specific monitors so they stay visible across all stages. In v1.3.0, Workspace Continuity restores each display's stages and layouts after sleep, restart, docking, or reconnecting.

BetterStage requires macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later. It is a 100% native app built with Swift and AppKit, designed to be lightweight on system resources.

Yes. The free tier includes 3 stages, snap zones, the Snap Wheel, keyboard shortcuts, and full multi-monitor support. Every download also includes a 10-day free trial of Pro, which unlocks all 9 stages, Bento Box auto-tiling, Tabbed Layout Mode, AI Staging, and Pinned Displays.

BetterStage Pro is a one-time lifetime purchase with three device tiers: Pro · 1 Device ($19.99), Pro · 3 Devices ($39.99), and Pro · 5 Devices ($49.99). Every license includes all future updates — it's a one-time purchase with no Pro subscription and no recurring charges. The only optional subscription is BetterStage AI, the managed way to run AI Staging.

The free tier supports 3 stages. BetterStage Pro unlocks all 9 stages. Each stage is a named workspace (e.g., Dev, Design, Comms) that spans all your monitors and switches instantly with Opt+1 through Opt+9.

Yes. BetterStage Pro includes Bento Box and Tabbed Layout Mode as two of the three per-monitor Window Modes (the third is macOS Native, free for everyone). When a monitor is in Bento Box, every window on it is automatically arranged into a non-overlapping grid; you can resize tiles by dragging the dividers, swap windows by dropping one onto another, or insert a new split by dropping on a tile edge. Tabbed Layout Mode lets each pane hold multiple windows you switch between with tabs, and you can launch or move an app window into a pane from the pane plus button or right-click menu. You can also use the 15 snap zones and the Snap Wheel for quick layouts in any mode.

AI Staging is a floating chat panel where you describe the workspace you want in plain language — @-mention specific apps, windows, stages, or monitors — and AI proposes a stage plan you can review, refine, apply, and undo in one step. You can save multiple Recipes for different workflows, switch between them, duplicate or rename them, and choose a default. You bring your own API key: BetterStage ships 25 provider presets including OpenAI, Claude, Gemini, DeepSeek, Qwen, Kimi, and GLM, plus local servers like Ollama and LM Studio. It's a Pro feature included in the 10-day free trial. Prefer zero setup? BetterStage AI is a separate, optional managed option that runs the AI for you with no API key required.

BetterStage AI is the managed way to run AI Staging — we host the model, so there's no API key and no setup. Just describe the workspace you want and BetterStage arranges it. It's an optional subscription ($4.99/mo or $39/yr) covering up to 3 devices with 200 AI Staging Credits a month, and it comes with a free trial. It's separate from — and optional alongside — the one-time lifetime Pro license; if you'd rather bring your own API key, AI Staging works with any Pro license.

macOS Stage Manager centers the current app and keeps recent apps or groups in a side strip. BetterStage instead gives you 9 user-named stages that span and switch all monitors together, direct Opt+1-9 shortcuts, no persistent workspace strip, and per-monitor Window Modes such as Bento Box auto-tiling and Tabbed Layouts.

Yes. BetterStage and Apple's built-in Stage Manager both manage which windows are visible, so running them together can cause confusing stage switches, hidden windows, or windows appearing in the wrong place. Before using BetterStage, open System Settings > Desktop & Dock > Stage Manager and turn macOS Stage Manager off. BetterStage's first-run setup includes a button that opens the Stage Manager settings pane for you.

Rectangle is a window snapping utility — it resizes and positions individual windows but doesn't manage workspaces. BetterStage includes 15 snap zones (comparable to Rectangle) plus named workspaces, automatic Bento Box tiling, saved Tabbed Layouts, a radial Snap Wheel, and instant stage switching. It's a complete workspace manager, not just a snapping tool.

Yes. BetterStage is designed for keyboard-first workflows. You can switch stages with Opt+1 through Opt+9, send windows between stages, focus tiled windows directionally, move tiled windows around the grid, and optionally keep Cmd+` cycling scoped to the active stage only. Shortcut defaults come in Standard and European keyboard layout presets — European adds Control to the bindings that would otherwise type characters on Option-heavy layouts.

BetterStage switches stages in under 16ms. There are no sliding animations or delays. Press Opt+1 and your entire desktop transforms immediately across all monitors.

Yes. Every download includes a 10-day free trial of Pro — all 9 stages, Bento Box auto-tiling, Tabbed Layout Mode, AI Staging, and Pinned Displays. After the trial, you keep the free tier (3 stages, snap zones, Snap Wheel, keyboard shortcuts) or buy a lifetime Pro license.

Yes. BetterStage operates independently of macOS Spaces. You can keep using Mission Control and Spaces as normal — BetterStage manages its own workspaces without interfering. Most users find they no longer need Spaces once they start using stages.

All your windows are restored automatically. BetterStage includes crash protection that unhides every window on unexpected exit. If you uninstall, simply quit the app first and all windows return to their normal positions. No windows are ever permanently hidden.

Workspace Continuity automatically restores your stages, window positions, and layouts after BetterStage restarts, your Mac wakes, or displays reconnect. If a display is missing, its workspace stays in the Offline Display Shelf instead of being flattened onto another screen. Reconnect it to restore automatically, or choose where to move it.

Yes. Apps that use macOS native tabs — like Terminal.app, Ghostty, and others — work properly in Tabbed Layout Mode. Their native tabs stay in their assigned pane, tab state is preserved across stage switches, and there are no phantom duplicate tabs. If an app still misbehaves, you can add it to Settings → Exclude Apps → Float in Window Modes so it floats above the layout.

Yes. Open Settings → Window Modes to adjust pane padding, pane opacity, tab bar padding, tab bar background, and the tab width style. Chrome-style tabs stay compact and equal-width; Safari-style tabs let the last tab stretch. A Reset button returns the visual controls to their defaults in one click.

Yes. Pick the Pro · 3 Devices or Pro · 5 Devices tier to run BetterStage on multiple Macs. Pro · 1 Device covers one Mac; Free plans are limited to 1 device.