--- title: "Scrolling vs Tiling Window Managers for Mac" description: "Compare window snapping, fixed tiling and scrolling windows on a Mac with one four-window example, plus the built-in, free and paid tools for each." url: https://universaldisplaymagnet.app/guides/scrolling-vs-tiling-window-managers lang: en --- # Snap, tile or scroll: which suits you Window managers for the Mac follow three different ideas. The easiest way to see the difference is to give all three the same four windows. ## The short answer - **Snapping:** you put each window where you want it, such as the left half. Windows you don't snap stay where they are. Built in to macOS 15 and later. - **Fixed tiling:** the manager divides the screen between every window. Each new window makes the others smaller. Examples: Amethyst, yabai, AeroSpace. - **Scrolling:** each window keeps its width on a strip that runs past the edge of the screen, and you scroll along it. PaperWM and niri made the idea popular on Linux; on a Mac it's Paneru, ChainYourMac or Universal Display Magnet's Scrolling Windows. ## One task, three layouts You're working on one screen with four windows: a code editor, a browser, a terminal and your notes. ### Snapping You snap the editor to the left half and the browser to the right half. The terminal and notes sit behind them, or you snap them into quarters and make everything smaller. You decide each placement; anything you haven't snapped overlaps. ### Fixed tiling The manager tiles all four as they open: perhaps the editor large on the left and the other three stacked on the right. Everything is visible at once. Open a fifth window and every tile shrinks again to make room. ### Scrolling Each window becomes a column at the width you choose: the editor at two thirds, the browser at half, the terminal and notes narrower. Two fit on the screen; the others wait to the right, off screen. Move the focus and the strip scrolls to bring the next column into view. Nothing gets squeezed, but you don't see everything at once. | | Snapping | Fixed tiling | Scrolling | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Who places windows | You | The manager | The manager | | A fifth window | Overlaps | Everything shrinks | Joins the strip | | All visible at once | Not always | Yes | No | | Getting started | Easy | Some setup | Some practice | ## Why people like scrolling - **Windows keep a usable width.** A narrow laptop screen still shows a full-width editor. - **Wide monitors fill naturally.** Three or four columns sit side by side without one stretched window. - **The order makes sense.** Windows stay in a row, so you learn where things are. - **It's quick from the keyboard.** Move left, move right, resize, stack. The trade-offs: windows off screen are out of sight, you need to learn shortcuts, and macOS wasn't designed for it. Apps with a minimum size, dialogs and Spaces can all behave in unexpected ways. ## PaperWM and niri are Linux apps PaperWM is an extension for the GNOME desktop, and niri is a scrollable-tiling Wayland compositor. Both run on Linux, not on macOS. If you've used one and want the same idea on a Mac, look at the scrolling tools below. ## Your options on a Mac | Tool | Model | Price | Setup | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | macOS tiling | Snapping | Built in, macOS 15 or later | System Settings | | Rectangle | Snapping | Free, open source | App | | Magnet | Snapping | $4.99 | App | | Amethyst | Fixed tiling | Free, open source | App settings or a file | | yabai | Fixed tiling | Free, open source | Command line | | AeroSpace | Fixed tiling | Free, open source | Config file | | Paneru | Scrolling | Free, open source | Config file | | ChainYourMac | Scrolling | $19.99, one Mac | App | | Universal Display Magnet | Snapping, scrolling, grid tiling | $9.99, three Macs | App | Prices and features as listed on each product's website or project page on 3 November 2026; Magnet's price is its US Mac App Store listing. A few details matter: - **yabai** arranges windows by splitting the screen in two again and again. Some of its features need System Integrity Protection partly turned off. - **AeroSpace** works like the i3 window manager, with its own workspaces instead of macOS Spaces. It doesn't need System Integrity Protection turned off, and it describes itself as a public beta. - **Amethyst** offers layouts inspired by xmonad, set up in its settings window or a text file. - **ChainYourMac** is a paid app dedicated to scrolling, built on the open-source Paneru engine. It lists pinned columns, conflict diagnostics and automation through a URL scheme, Raycast and the command line. It requires macOS 13 or later on Apple silicon; three Macs cost $49.99. For fixed tiling, the [grid tiling](https://universaldisplaymagnet.app/features/grid-tiling) mode in Universal Display Magnet's Scrolling Windows is another way in: each new window divides the screen into smaller pieces. ## Universal Display Magnet's Scrolling Windows Universal Display Magnet is independent software, not made by Magnet's developer. It is mainly a display and window tool: it arranges your monitors, saves workspaces, snaps windows and lines up Universal Control between your Macs. [Scrolling Windows](https://universaldisplaymagnet.app/features/scrolling-windows) is built in, as an option: - **Off by default.** Turn it on in the app or the menu bar, and off again the same way. - **What it includes:** a strip on each display, preset and nudged widths, stacks, tabbed columns, grid tiling, an overview of the strip and trackpad swipes. It runs on Paneru, the same engine ChainYourMac is built on. ## How to choose - **A few windows, now and then:** use macOS tiling, or Rectangle or Magnet for more sizes. - **Every window visible, all from the keyboard:** try a fixed tiler. Amethyst is the gentlest start; yabai and AeroSpace give more control through configuration. - **Scrolling is how you want to work every day:** ChainYourMac is a dedicated scrolling window manager. The [ChainYourMac comparison](https://universaldisplaymagnet.app/compare/chainyourmac) goes into detail. - **You want scrolling plus display arrangement, workspaces or several Macs, in one app:** Universal Display Magnet. The [comparison page](https://universaldisplaymagnet.app/compare) covers the other tools. ## Questions, answered ### Is there a niri for Mac? niri itself runs on Linux, not macOS. On a Mac, Paneru, ChainYourMac and Universal Display Magnet's Scrolling Windows work in a similar way: windows as columns on a strip that scrolls. ### Does PaperWM work on macOS? No. PaperWM is an extension for the GNOME desktop on Linux. The scrolling tools listed above follow the same idea on a Mac. ### Do tiling window managers need System Integrity Protection turned off? Not all of them. yabai needs it partly turned off for some features. AeroSpace says it doesn't need it turned off. ### Can I use window snapping and Scrolling Windows together in Universal Display Magnet? Not at the same time. Snapping pauses while Scrolling Windows is on, and comes back when you turn it off. ### Which is best for an ultrawide monitor? Scrolling and tiling both use the extra width well. Scrolling keeps each window at a width you choose; tiling keeps everything visible. Snapping to thirds is the simplest option. ## Read next - [Scrolling Windows](https://universaldisplaymagnet.app/features/scrolling-windows) - [Grid tiling](https://universaldisplaymagnet.app/features/grid-tiling) - [Universal Display Magnet vs ChainYourMac](https://universaldisplaymagnet.app/compare/chainyourmac) - [Compare Mac display and window managers](https://universaldisplaymagnet.app/compare) **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