Bayview vs Magnet

Magnet snaps windows to set areas of the screen: halves, quarters, thirds and full screen. Bayview puts a grid over the screen, so a window can fill any block of cells you drag across, and any block can become a keyboard shortcut.

Picking a size

Magnet's snap areas cover the common splits. Drag a window to the left edge and it fills the left half, drag it into a corner and it fills that quarter, or drag it along the bottom edge for thirds. Other sizes need a custom command, which you set up in Magnet's settings ahead of time.

With Bayview you drag out the area when you need it: the left two thirds, a narrow column on the right, or the middle of the screen with some desktop showing around it. While you drag, a translucent preview shows where the window will land. If you keep using an area, save it as a position with its own shortcut.

Keyboard control

Bayview has keybinds that grow or shrink the front window by one grid cell, or move it one cell in any direction, so you can nudge a window into place without the mouse. Shortcuts can also be local, meaning they only work while the grid is open. That lets them be single keys you choose, like H for the left half, without taking keys away from your other apps. The keyboard guide has more on arranging windows without a mouse.

When Magnet fits better

If halves, quarters and thirds are all you need, dragging a window to the edge of the screen takes no setup, and Bayview doesn't snap windows that way. Magnet can also sync its settings between your Macs through iCloud.

When Bayview fits better

Bayview is for people whose windows don't line up with halves and thirds, or who want to pick a new size on the spot instead of setting it up first. It costs $1.99 less than Magnet, and you can try it for 6 hours before paying. Getting started walks through setting up your first positions.