How to use Magnet on Mac as an alternative to Snap on Windows

If you're coming from Windows and you have become accustomed to the famous “Snap” to organize windows with a couple of gestures or keys, it is normal that in Mac you miss something. Many users search Use Magnet on macOS as a real replacement of what Microsoft offers, because it allows you to move and adjust windows without having to drag precisely or navigate through menus. Here you will find how to replicate that flow, what macOS offers out of the box, and what apps thirds fit better according to your screen and your way of working.

There are also those who, when changing platforms, think the other way around: “I want an app for My PC that does the same thing as Magnet on my MacBook.” That gives you an idea of ​​how convenient it is distribute windows with commands Quick and drag “with magnets” on the desktop. Windows has “Snap”, yes, but many prefer to jump between sizes and positions just with keyboard shortcuts, without having to hover your mouse over the correct border or open selection menus. The good news is that on Mac you can cover all of this today with several options, and Apple is already taking steps to integrate something very similar into macOS Sequoia.

What is Snap in Windows and why is it addictive?

From Windows 7, Microsoft introduced Aero Snap: You drag a window to the edges and it docks to the middle of the screen, or you maximize it by tapping the top. With There, the system evolved with more options and, above all, with keyboard shortcuts very comfortable not to raise your hands: Windows key + arrow keys to move and attach instantly.

Later came what many know as Corner Snap In Windows 10 and 11: In addition to halves, you can position windows in corners so they take up exactly a quarter. This makes having two, three or four visible apps while being effortless, without having to manually adjust each edge like a curtain. The flow is fast, predictable, and, most importantly, consistent across different screens.

Why does it captivate? Because it eliminates friction. In real work scenarios, such as comparing documents, editing on one half and having references on the other, or controlling multiple apps at once, having a mental grid that is activated by keys keeps you focused and reduces unnecessary clicks.

For those coming from Magnet and landing on a PC, Snap with Windows + arrows It's the way to replicate that agility without installing anything. And for those switching from Windows to Mac, the question is: how do I match that experience with what Apple offers and with apps like Magnet?

What macOS can do out of the box today

macOS includes a native option to snap a window to the left or right half. It's not so obvious at first, because it requires activating a setting that should be left enabled. Go to System Preferences, go to Mission Control and activate the option “Screens have separate spaces”. With that ready, by pressing the green button on a window you can choose to place it on the left or right side and work in split view.

The problem? Although useful, this method feels less intuitive than Windows: you rely on a green button menu and out of the box you don't have a native way to “magnetize to the edge"with the mouse or to use direct keyboard shortcuts for each position. If you live by keyboard shortcuts, you'll notice this lack.

In addition to that, Apple proposes Stage Manager as a way to organize windows into groups. It works well when you're working with multiple windows of the same app, but some users have found that the drag management It falls short when you mix multiple apps on screen. That is, the “drag to activate” approach doesn’t always work in scenarios with multiple apps open at once.

This is especially noticeable on very wide monitors, such as a 49-inch ultrawide (Odyssey G9)With so much space, having so many "zones" to target or memorizing a barrage of shortcuts can be overwhelming. It's possible to work, of course, but keeping a mental map of all the regions and combinations is complicated, which is why some people have already shared their concerns and suggestions with the Apple team, hoping for improvements.

Magnet on Mac: The alternative that feels natural

That's where Magnet comes in. This app is on the App Store and, for a very reasonable price (about $2.99), allows you to bring to macOS a “snap” very similar to that of Windows but, in several aspects, more flexible. You can drag windows to the edges and corners to lock them into predefined positions and alternate sizes without friction.

One of its strengths is the variety of layouts. Magnet places windows in halves, quarters and even in what the app itself describes as “hexagons” of the screen. Beyond the nomenclature, the idea is that you have finer partitions to make better use of space, something especially useful if you usually have three or more windows coexisting.

Another plus of Magnet is the support for multiple monitors, including those in portrait orientation. If you're working with an external display and your laptop, or with a stack of displays, you can maintain the same "magnet" system on each one. This greatly reduces micro-adjustments and makes moving between displays more natural.

Of course, Magnet doesn't live on drag alone. It includes keyboard shortcuts for all positions and sizes. So, if you're someone who prefers to stay connected to the keyboard, just memorize 8-10 key combinations to fly: left half, right half, middle third, bottom right corner, etc. Jumping between configurations is instant.

In everyday life, Magnet is used in very practical ways: compare two documents You can split a grid of four apps into halves, assemble a grid of four apps into quarters, or keep a reference tool in a narrow column while you work big in the middle. The promise is clear: less time "placing" and more time "doing."

• Magnetic drag to edges and corners for on-the-fly positioning.
• Global shortcuts for each screen region.
• Compatibility multi-monitor, also with vertical screens.
• Affordable price and active maintenance.

Other apps worth checking out

If you prefer free or even more customizable options, there are alternatives worth knowing about. Each emphasizes a different approach: pure keyboard shortcuts, smart drag or extreme customization of size and position.

Rectangle It is an app of free and free code Focused on keyboard shortcuts. It lets you snap the window to both sides, the top and bottom halves, corners, thirds, and more. We're talking more than 20 different positions, which are invoked with very logical combinations. It resides in the menu bar and captures shortcuts with reliability, so you can work all day without opening menus. Its limitation: it does not add the drag to edge gesture to “magnetize” like Magnet.

From the same developer of Rectangle is hookshot. Keeps all the shortcuts and adds a way to align by dragging: you press a combination to activate the adjustment mode (for example, Ctrl+Cmd), and with the cursor you move towards the edge or area you want to occupy. Its proposal is precise and very fluid if you alternate mouse and keyboard. It is paid, but has a 10 day trial so you can see if it fits and, if you like it, it costs around $7.99.

Lastly, Better Snap Tool commitment full customization. In addition to playing halves, thirds, and quarters, it allows you to define completely custom sizes and positions and assign modifiers to them. If your flow requires non-standard cells (for example, a 30% column and a 70% column), you'll find something to explore here. It's paid and usually costs around $2.99 on the App Store.

If you get lost between options, a quick guideline: Rectangle If you want something free and powerful with a keyboard, hookshot if you need to precisely drag and hold shortcuts, and Magnet If you're looking for a polished, straightforward, and simple experience that feels like Snap. Better Snap Tool fits when customization rules.

What's new in macOS Sequoia

Apple has announced for macOS Sequoia a window organization that many were waiting for: drag to edges and corners with preview of the area that will occupy, in addition to being able to control it with the keyboard. Essentially, it's the same philosophy that Microsoft proposed years ago with Snap, now integrated into the Mac system.

The arrival is welcome, although some details have caught attention in the demos: when you put two windows side by side, it is left quite a bit space between them and with the edges of the screen. On 13-inch computers like a MacBook Air, this margin reduces the usable surface area and can be a drawback. We'll have to see how it looks in practice and whether it's adjustable or configurable.

Meanwhile, many users have relied on apps like Cinch o Magnet to have a "Windows-like" system on macOS. Even if native features improve, it's worth evaluating whether the alternatives are still more efficient or if the system is already sufficient for you. Everything indicates that, out of the box, the apps will continue to offer more granularity and customizable shortcuts.

In any case, Apple embracing this approach is positive: it homogenizes the windowing language and reduces the shock for those switching between Mac and PCThe key will be to see if Apple refines the behavior (margins, grids, advanced options) to prevent the most demanding users from continuing to see gaps.

Practical tips based on your screen and workflow

If you work with a widescreen monitor 49″ type (Odyssey G9), having many “zones” within range is great, but it also forces you to remember more shortcuts. In that scenario, it usually works well to combine magnetic drag (Magnet or Hookshot) for coarse placement and two or three key shortcuts for quick repositioning when you need precision.

Those who use Stage Manager and mix multiple apps have found that the drag to activate doesn't always respond as expected. If that's the case, it's worth trying Hookshot with its key-activated gesture or going straight to Magnet for simplicity. The goal is for the memory muscle be left with a few very useful combinations and a clear gesture for the rest.

If you hardly want to spend and value simplicity, Rectangle It lets you fly with the keyboard and offers a ton of positions. Its drawback is the drag, but in return you get a lightweight system, open source and integrates well with the menu bar. For many, it's more than enough.

Are you obsessed with exact layouts? Better Snap Tool will allow you to define custom heights and widths and assign them combinations. It is ideal for non-standard schemes that you repeat daily (for example, a giant editor and two narrower auxiliary panels), and its price is very reasonable.

Whatever your choice, don't forget to activate in Mission Control the “Screens have separate spaces” option. It’s a small tweak that prevents weird behavior when you use multiple screens and improves the consistency of shortcuts and the green button split view.

For those who alternate between Mac and Windows, an effective strategy is unify shortcuts As much as possible. Even if you can't exactly replicate the Windows key, you can choose combinations of Magnet, Rectangle, or Hookshot that have similar logic. Changing your keyboard less between platforms reduces confusion.

One last note: although some claim that there are fewer ways to align in macOS than in Windows, the truth is that Magnet and company have given many users a sense of superior control. Among the speed of shortcuts and the precision of the drag, the experience can be, in the eyes of some, more satisfying than on the PC.

If you're hesitating between sticking with native or installing something, think about your priorities: do you need millimeter adjustments and a nearly infinite grid? Do you want to replicate Snap's logic with minimal effort? Or do you prefer a free solution with a keyboard as the main feature? Answering this question will take you directly to the right app without wasting any time.

And don't forget that Apple is making its move. macOS Sequoia It's headed in the right direction with edge and corner dragging and preview. If the margin between windows doesn't become an issue and the keyboard becomes more prominent, many might find that the native keyboard is sufficient for everyday use.

There is a clear range: with Magnet You get the feeling of Snap with extras and a symbolic price; with Rectangle You get free power based on shortcuts; with hookshot you add an intelligent drag worthy of the most demanding; and with Better Snap Tool You create layouts tailored to your needs. And if you wait for macOS SequoiaApple may bring much of this to your home, though third-party apps are still leading the way for now.

Related article:

Snap Layouts in Windows 11: Organize your windows like a pro

Isaac

Passionate writer about the world of bytes and technology in general. I love sharing my knowledge through writing, and that's what I'll do on this blog, show you all the most interesting things about gadgets, software, hardware, tech trends, and more. My goal is to help you navigate the digital world in a simple and entertaining way.