Amethyst vs yabai
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
Automatic tiling window manager for macOS, modeled on xmonad.
Open source · MIT
A tiling window manager for macOS that arranges windows automatically using a command line.
The short answer
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
Choose yabai if you need…
- Mac users who want keyboard-driven window layouts
- People comfortable editing configuration files and using a terminal
- Users who want to manage multiple spaces and displays from the command line
- Users who want focus-follows-mouse behavior
Side-by-side
| Amethyst | yabai | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | App | App |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 16.3k | 29.8k |
| Setup difficulty | Beginner | Intermediate |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | See the README |
| Main language | Swift | C |
| Last code update | 4 days ago | 5 months ago |
What each one is
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.
yabai
yabai is a utility that extends the built-in window manager of macOS. It automatically arranges open windows into tiled layouts based on a binary space partitioning algorithm, so you can focus on content instead of moving windows by hand. You control it through a command line interface and can optionally bind keyboard shortcuts with skhd or other tools.
Best for
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
yabai
- Mac users who want keyboard-driven window layouts
- People comfortable editing configuration files and using a terminal
- Users who want to manage multiple spaces and displays from the command line
- Users who want focus-follows-mouse behavior
Strengths
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
yabai
- Free and open source under the MIT License
- Based on a documented tiling algorithm and scriptable through the command line
- Has sample configuration files, a wiki, and documentation in the repository
Not ideal for
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
yabai
- Users who want a point-and-click setup with no terminal use, since control is through a command line interface
- Users on macOS versions older than those listed in the README's requirements
- People who cannot grant Accessibility permissions, since the README says yabai needs them
Trade-offs
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
yabai
- Some features require partially disabling System Integrity Protection, which the README says carries risk and is optional
- Several macOS settings must be changed for commands to work reliably, and some apps such as Terminal and Finder handle tabs incorrectly
- The README includes a disclaimer that the authors are not responsible for any machine damage
Getting started
Amethyst
Install with Homebrew Cask
brew install --cask amethystDisable automatic Space rearranging (optional)
defaults write com.apple.dock workspaces-auto-swoosh -bool NOyabai
Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/asmvik/yabaiFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between Amethyst and yabai?
Amethyst: Automatic tiling window manager for macOS, modeled on xmonad. yabai: A tiling window manager for macOS that arranges windows automatically using a command line. Amethyst suits mac users who often work with several windows side by side, while yabai suits mac users who want keyboard-driven window layouts.
Are Amethyst and yabai free?
Amethyst: Free and open source. yabai: Free and open source.
Which is easier to set up, Amethyst or yabai?
Amethyst is easier to get started with (rated beginner); yabai is rated intermediate and usually needs more setup.
Is Amethyst or yabai more popular?
yabai has more GitHub stars (29.8k) than Amethyst (16.3k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to Amethyst and yabai?
Other options people compare them with include AeroSpace, Polybar, Hammerspoon.
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.