Amethyst

Overview

Amethyst is a macOS tiling window manager for people who prefer arranging windows with layouts and keyboard controls rather than managing each window manually. Its range of presets and no-cost access make it a practical fit for keyboard-oriented Mac users; the trade-offs are an accessibility permission requirement and beta status for custom layouts.

It supports macOS 10.15 and later and can be downloaded from its releases page or installed through the Homebrew cask. Amethyst must be granted access to macOS accessibility APIs to manage windows. The project says it collects no personal information and sends no information over a network, and identifies its license as MIT.

Key features

Layouts and controls

Amethyst’s built-in layouts cover common arrangements including Tall, Wide, Two Pane, three-column variants, Widescreen-Tall, Fullscreen, Column, Row, Floating, and Binary Space Partitioning. That breadth gives users room to choose how screen space is divided without relying on one fixed pattern. Keyboard shortcuts can cycle layouts, resize the main pane, change focus, move windows between screens or Spaces, and toggle floating or global tiling.

Application rules can keep selected apps floating or tiled, a useful distinction for windows that do not suit the current layout. Window grouping is not supported, so users who want related windows managed as groups should look elsewhere. JavaScript custom layouts offer more flexibility, but their beta status makes them a less settled option than the built-in presets.

Configuration and Spaces

Users can configure Amethyst through the GUI or a YAML file in the home directory. When that file is present, it overrides GUI settings, so configuration should be managed consistently in one place to avoid confusion. The project recommends disabling automatic rearrangement of Spaces by most recent use, which can otherwise make keyboard navigation unpredictable.

Privacy and support

Amethyst states that it neither collects personal information nor transmits information over a network. For common problems, the project points users to a troubleshooting guide and suggests Twitter or Gitter for questions and feedback.

Pricing

Amethyst is free, with no free-trial period because access is already free. The Free and open source plan costs nothing and includes macOS tiling window management, configurable layouts and keyboard shortcuts, and application floating or tiling rules. A second Free plan also costs nothing; the project says Amethyst is free and always will be. Neither plan has a paid tier or a stated usage cap, making it straightforward for individual Mac users who want these window-management tools without a subscription or upfront cost.

Platforms

Amethyst is for macOS, with support starting at macOS 10.15. Its need for accessibility access is central to its window-management function, but users who do not want to grant that permission should choose another approach.

Who it's for

Amethyst suits macOS users who like keyboard-driven workflows and want several tiling arrangements, per-application floating or tiling rules, and control over Spaces. It is less suitable for people who need window grouping, require custom layouts to be a mature feature, or want to avoid accessibility permissions.

Pros and cons

• Pros: A wide selection of built-in layouts and keyboard controls supports different window arrangements without a price barrier.
• Pros: Application rules can tailor floating or tiling behavior to particular apps.
• Pros: The project says it does not collect personal information or transmit information over a network.
• Cons: Window management requires macOS accessibility permission, which may not suit every user.
• Cons: JavaScript custom layouts are beta, and window grouping is not supported.
• Cons: YAML settings override GUI settings, while automatic Spaces rearrangement can make keyboard navigation unpredictable unless disabled.

Alternatives

For another free window manager spanning macOS and other desktop platforms, consider spectrwm, an ISC-licensed window manager for X11. Linux users can also consider awesome, a free GNU GPLv2-licensed X window manager; dwm, a free MIT/X Consortium-licensed window manager for X; or i3, free and open-source software for GNU/Linux and BSD. niri is another free Linux option, described as an open-source Wayland compositor. Windows users can look at bug.n, a free GPL-3.0 Windows window manager, or DisplayFusion, which offers a free version after a trial and a Pro Standard lifetime license for $34, paid once, billed per machine. Launchpad is a free option for open-source projects, with platforms including API, Linux, self-hosted, and web.

Verdict

Choose Amethyst if you use macOS 10.15 or later and want free, keyboard-driven tiling with a broad set of built-in layouts and app rules. Its clear strengths are flexibility at no cost and a stated no-collection, no-network-transmission privacy posture. Look elsewhere if window grouping, mature custom layouts, or avoiding accessibility permissions is essential.