AeroSpace vs Amethyst
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
A keyboard-driven window manager for macOS that tiles windows automatically, inspired by i3.
Open source · MIT
Automatic tiling window manager for macOS, modeled on xmonad.
The short answer
Choose AeroSpace if you need…
- Keyboard-centric users who want to manage windows without the mouse
- Developers and advanced users comfortable editing a text configuration file
- People with multi-monitor setups who want i3-style monitor handling
- Users who already know i3 or other tiling window managers
Choose Amethyst if you need…
- Mac users who often work with several windows side by side
- Keyboard-focused users who want to avoid dragging windows with the mouse
- Fans of xmonad or other tiling window managers who use a Mac
- Users who switch between multiple Spaces or external screens
Side-by-side
| AeroSpace | Amethyst | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | App | App |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 23.7k | 16.3k |
| Setup difficulty | Intermediate | Beginner |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | Install with a package manager |
| Main language | Swift | Swift |
| Last code update | 5 days ago | 4 days ago |
What each one is
AeroSpace
AeroSpace arranges the windows on your Mac into tiled layouts so they fill the screen without overlapping, and lets you move between them with the keyboard. It is inspired by the i3 window manager on Linux. Its configuration is a plain text file, and it is controlled through a command-line interface. It does not use macOS Spaces for workspaces; it emulates its own workspaces instead.
Amethyst
Amethyst is a macOS app that automatically arranges your open windows into tiled layouts, so they fill the screen without overlapping. It is inspired by the xmonad window manager on Linux and is controlled mostly with keyboard shortcuts. People use it to keep their desktop organized and to move between windows and Spaces quickly.
Best for
AeroSpace
- Keyboard-centric users who want to manage windows without the mouse
- Developers and advanced users comfortable editing a text configuration file
- People with multi-monitor setups who want i3-style monitor handling
- Users who already know i3 or other tiling window managers
Amethyst
- Mac users who often work with several windows side by side
- Keyboard-focused users who want to avoid dragging windows with the mouse
- Fans of xmonad or other tiling window managers who use a Mac
- Users who switch between multiple Spaces or external screens
Strengths
AeroSpace
- Built on a tree-based tiling model and inspired by i3, which the README describes as its core design
- Does not require disabling System Integrity Protection (SIP), and the project states it will never require this
- Configuration is a plain text file that works well with dotfiles, and manpages and shell completion are included
Amethyst
- Free and open source under the MIT license, with a large community (over 16,000 GitHub stars)
- Many layouts are available and can be enabled or disabled in the cycle
- Keyboard shortcuts are configurable, and the README documents the defaults
Not ideal for
AeroSpace
- People who want a graphical settings panel, since the project says it will never provide a GUI for configuration
- Users who rely on native macOS Spaces, because AeroSpace does not acknowledge them and uses its own workspace emulation
- Users looking for visual effects such as window borders, transparency or animations, which the project deliberately does not prioritize
- Users who need a stable release today, since the README describes it as a Public Beta with breaking changes expected before 1.0
Amethyst
- People who prefer manual window placement, since layouts are applied automatically (the README describes a Floating mode, but the default is tiling)
- Users on macOS versions older than 10.15, which the README says are not supported
- People who want a mouse-driven workflow, since the README centers on keyboard shortcuts
Trade-offs
AeroSpace
- Described as a Public Beta, with breaking changes expected until version 1.0
- The README notes the app is not notarized by Apple; the Homebrew install script removes the quarantine attribute to avoid warnings
- The README lists open issues it considers important before 1.0, including window-jumping stability problems and no native macOS tabs support yet
Amethyst
- Requires granting Accessibility permission, and the README recommends changing a macOS Mission Control setting to keep Space navigation predictable
- The README notes that some default shortcuts are unassigned ("none") and must be set manually if wanted
- The README is truncated here, so details on configuration files and advanced options are not confirmed
Getting started
AeroSpace
Install via Homebrew (preferred, includes autoupdates)
brew install --cask nikitabobko/tap/aerospaceAmethyst
Install with Homebrew Cask
brew install --cask amethystDisable automatic Space rearranging (optional)
defaults write com.apple.dock workspaces-auto-swoosh -bool NOFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between AeroSpace and Amethyst?
AeroSpace: A keyboard-driven window manager for macOS that tiles windows automatically, inspired by i3. Amethyst: Automatic tiling window manager for macOS, modeled on xmonad. AeroSpace suits keyboard-centric users who want to manage windows without the mouse, while Amethyst suits mac users who often work with several windows side by side.
Are AeroSpace and Amethyst free?
AeroSpace: Free and open source. Amethyst: Free and open source.
Which is easier to set up, AeroSpace or Amethyst?
Amethyst is easier to get started with (rated beginner); AeroSpace is rated intermediate and usually needs more setup.
Is AeroSpace or Amethyst more popular?
AeroSpace has more GitHub stars (23.7k) than Amethyst (16.3k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to AeroSpace and Amethyst?
Other options people compare them with include yabai, Hammerspoon, Polybar.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.