ShiftIt

Free plan Mac

What ShiftIt is

ShiftIt is a free, open-source macOS utility for arranging windows with keyboard shortcuts. Its default actions place windows into screen halves or quarters, maximize or center them, and toggle full-screen mode. Actions for ultrawide displays divide the screen into thirds or sixths. When shortcut cycling is enabled, repeated presses of a side-snapping shortcut move a window through half-, one-third-, and two-thirds-screen sizes. ShiftIt runs from the menu bar, and its icon can be hidden in preferences. The app needs macOS Accessibility permission so its shortcuts can control windows. The project is licensed under the GNU General Public License v3 and lists Sparkle 2.8 with EdDSA signing for automatic updates. The listed ShiftIt 2.1.0 release describes Swift 6 and support for macOS 14.6 or later. Its binary supports both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. Installation involves downloading a release, moving ShiftIt.app to Applications, and granting Accessibility permission when requested. The free plan is listed as free.

Who it suits

ShiftIt suits Mac users who want keyboard-driven control over window size and position. It is especially relevant to people using ultrawide displays or shortcut cycling.

What it does well

Half, quarter, maximize, center, and full-screen actions
Ultrawide layouts for thirds and sixths
Optional cycling through multiple side sizes
Supports Apple Silicon and Intel Macs
Free GPL v3 software

What to know first

Requires macOS 14.6 or later
Accessibility permission is required
Available only on macOS
Menu-bar installation is required

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Free	GPL v3 · macOS 14.6 or later · Apple Silicon or Intel Mac	Free

As github.com lists them, read 5 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Verdict

ShiftIt provides focused keyboard window placement, including layouts for ultrawide screens. Check the macOS version and Accessibility requirement before installing.

Facts from ShiftIt's own pages

Compatibility: The binary build is for macOS 14.6 or later and supports Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Installation: The project instructs users to download a release, move ShiftIt.app to Applications, and grant Accessibility permission when prompted. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Intended users: The project describes ShiftIt as a tool for people who want to manage macOS window size and position with keyboard shortcuts. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
License: The project is licensed under GNU General Public License v3. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Menu bar: The app installs in the menu bar, and its icon can be hidden in preferences. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Permissions: ShiftIt requires macOS Accessibility permission to manage windows through its shortcuts. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Purpose: ShiftIt is a macOS window organizer that uses keyboard shortcuts to change window position and size. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Release: The releases page lists ShiftIt 2.1.0 as the latest release and describes updates including Sparkle 2.8, Swift 6, and macOS 14.6+ support. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Shortcut cycling: Repeated presses of a side-snapping shortcut can cycle a window through half-, one-third-, and two-thirds-screen sizes when enabled. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Ultrawide support: Ultrawide monitor actions divide the screen into thirds or sixths. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Updates: The project says it uses Sparkle 2.8 for secure automatic updates with EdDSA signing. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Window layouts: Default actions move windows to screen halves and quarters, maximize, center, and toggle full screen. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026

Where ShiftIt stands on Freedom251

Window Management Software#31 of 65