--- title: "Universal Display Magnet vs ChainYourMac" description: "ChainYourMac is a dedicated scrolling window manager. Universal Display Magnet adds a scrolling strip and grid tiling to its display, workspace and Universal Control tools." url: https://universaldisplaymagnet.app/compare/chainyourmac lang: en --- # ChainYourMac or Universal Display Magnet Both lay windows out on a strip that scrolls, and both build on the same open-source engine. In ChainYourMac, scrolling is the whole app. In Universal Display Magnet, it's one part of an app that also keeps your displays, workspaces and Universal Control in order. ## The short answer - **Choose Universal Display Magnet** if you want your displays, workspaces and Universal Control looked after, with a scrolling strip and grid tiling in the same app, for $9.99 and three Macs. Scrolling Windows is optional, off until you turn it on. - **Choose ChainYourMac** if scrolling windows is why you're shopping. It's a dedicated scrolling window manager with pinned columns, guided setup, conflict checks and automation, from $19.99 for one Mac (checked 3 November 2026). ## Who should choose which **Universal Display Magnet** is the better choice if: - Your monitor arrangement shuffles, or windows end up on the wrong screen or Desktop after sleep. - You use Universal Control between Macs, or want arrangements and workspaces synced between them. - You want window snapping, a scrolling strip and grid tiling in the same app. - You want one license for three Macs, for $9.99. **ChainYourMac** is the better choice if: - You want to work on a scrolling strip all day. - You want columns pinned to the edge of the screen while the rest of the strip scrolls. - You want a guided first run and a check of your Mac's settings for apps that get in the way. - You automate your Mac with URLs, Raycast or the command line. ## Same engine, different focus Both apps build on Paneru, an open-source scrolling window engine. ChainYourMac's changelog names Paneru as its engine, and Universal Display Magnet bundles it for Scrolling Windows, with additions of its own such as grid tiling. Each app adds and tunes its own behavior on top, so sharing an engine doesn't make them the same. ## Scrolling Windows in Universal Display Magnet - **Optional, off by default.** Turn it on with **Enable Scrolling Windows**. **Take the Tour** lets you practice on pretend windows first, without moving anything real. [Scrolling Windows](https://universaldisplaymagnet.app/features/scrolling-windows) - **What it includes.** A strip per display with preset and nudged widths, stacks in both directions, tabbed columns with a clickable tab bar, a strip overview, **Strip**, **Grid** or **Off** for each display, trackpad swipes, a focus border and dimming, floating windows and app rules, and session restore. - **What it adds.** Grid tiling, where each new window divides the display, which ChainYourMac doesn't describe. [Grid tiling](https://universaldisplaymagnet.app/features/grid-tiling) ## Side by side | | ChainYourMac | Universal Display Magnet | | --- | --- | --- | | Strip, widths, stacks, tabs | Documented | Documented | | Overview, per-display strips, swipes | Documented | Documented | | Grid tiling | Not documented | Documented | | Display arrangement, workspaces | Not documented | Documented | | Universal Control between Macs | Not documented | Documented | **Documented** means described on the product's website, changelog or documentation. **Not documented** means not described there, which doesn't always mean it can't. ## Price and license - **ChainYourMac:** $19.99 for a lifetime license on one Mac, or $49.99 for three Macs, as listed on its website on 3 November 2026. Requires macOS 13 or later on Apple silicon. - **Universal Display Magnet:** $9.99, one-time purchase, with tax added at checkout where applicable. One license covers three Macs. Requires macOS 14 or later. The app keeps working offline for up to seven days after its last successful license check. See [license and updates](https://universaldisplaymagnet.app/support/license-and-updates). For a wider look at scrolling, tiling and snapping, read [scrolling vs tiling window managers](https://universaldisplaymagnet.app/guides/scrolling-vs-tiling-window-managers). ## Using both Don't run two scrolling window managers at once: both would try to move the same windows. If you use ChainYourMac, leave Universal Display Magnet's Scrolling Windows off; its display, workspace and Universal Control tools keep working. Both apps start with ⌃⌥ shortcuts, and Universal Display Magnet flags any snapping shortcut another app already uses, so change it or turn it off in one of them. ## What ChainYourMac does well ChainYourMac's website and changelog (version 2.4.x), checked 3 November 2026, describe: - **Pinned columns.** Keep one window at the left or right edge, full height, while the rest of the strip scrolls beside it (⌃⌥P and ⌃⌥⇧P). - **Guided start and Mac Setup.** A short first run teaches the strip and its main shortcuts. Mac Setup checks your macOS settings and warns you if another window manager or snapping app is running. - **Automation.** A URL scheme, Raycast script commands and a command-line tool. - **Finishing touches.** An option to keep each window's original height, centering only when the strip overflows, native tabs kept in one column, dialogs and Quick Look that float, setting itself up again after sleep, an engine that restarts itself if it stops, and automatic updates. It requires macOS 13 or later on a Mac with Apple silicon. ## Questions, answered ### Is Universal Display Magnet's Scrolling Windows the same as ChainYourMac? No. Both build on the open-source Paneru engine and share the core strip, stacks, tabs, widths, overview and swipes. Universal Display Magnet's version adds grid tiling, and it comes with display arrangement, workspaces and Universal Control in the same app. ### What does Universal Display Magnet have that ChainYourMac doesn't describe? Grid tiling in Scrolling Windows, plus its core tools: display arrangement for each set of monitors, workspaces that know your Desktops, Universal Control across your Macs, and local sync between your Macs. ### Can I run ChainYourMac and Universal Display Magnet together? Yes, with Universal Display Magnet's Scrolling Windows turned off, so only one app arranges windows on a strip. Check for shortcut conflicts, since both start with ⌃⌥ shortcuts. ### Do they work on Intel Macs? ChainYourMac lists Apple silicon as a requirement. Universal Display Magnet is a universal app, built for both Apple silicon and Intel. ## Read next - [Scrolling Windows](https://universaldisplaymagnet.app/features/scrolling-windows) - [Grid tiling](https://universaldisplaymagnet.app/features/grid-tiling) - [Scrolling vs tiling window managers](https://universaldisplaymagnet.app/guides/scrolling-vs-tiling-window-managers) - [Compatibility](https://universaldisplaymagnet.app/support/compatibility) **Buy for $9.99:** https://buy.polar.sh/polar_cl_Eun4k8w0lqOhFoU3xI4NvwdweeUAlVw0lkte145VZ95 --- Universal Display Magnet is independent software by [Clever Mechanisms](https://clevermechanisms.dev). It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Apple Inc. Apple, Mac, macOS, Mac Studio, Mac mini, MacBook Pro, Safari and Finder are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries and regions. Email support: support@clevermechanisms.dev