When comparing Magnet vs BetterSnapTool, the Slant community recommends BetterSnapTool for most people. In the question“What is the best window manager for Mac?” BetterSnapTool is ranked 10th while Magnet is ranked 11th. The most important reason people chose BetterSnapTool is:
With this feature, you can move any window into the desired position, select 'advanced: create a custom snap area (using current window as template)' from the toolbar and also edit settings for the snap area. It is also possible to edit the size, position, and presentation of the drop-zone, the shortcut for the custom snap area, and a list apps for which the snap area should be available (eg: only show this zone for VLC).
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Pros
Pro Keyboard centric
Easy to learn keyboard shortcuts.
Pro Intuitive handling
Just drag the window to one of the sides of the screen and it snaps there. This is especially useful for those who can't be bothered remembering the shortcuts.
Pro Cheap
At $0.99, it is not that expensive.
Pro Mouse controllable
Supports dragging a window along the edges of the screen to activate.
Pro Do not have to learn or remember keyboard shortcuts
Pro It's often on sale
For example, at the writing of this pro it's currently at $1.
Pro Up to six external displays supported
Pro Custom Snap Areas
With this feature, you can move any window into the desired position, select 'advanced: create a custom snap area (using current window as template)' from the toolbar and also edit settings for the snap area. It is also possible to edit the size, position, and presentation of the drop-zone, the shortcut for the custom snap area, and a list apps for which the snap area should be available (eg: only show this zone for VLC).
Cons
Con Cannot setup custom sizes and window positions
Unfortunately, you can only move windows to preset positions.
Con Can only be purchased from the App Store
Magnet is only available in App Store.
Con Can't hide the menu bar icon
It would've been nice to be able to hide the icon so it doesn't clutter the menu bar.
Con Interference when switching between folders
Default Folder-X app "warns" that Magnet App may interfere with it's ability to switch between folders in Open and Save dialogue boxes.
Con Causes cursor bugs in IntelliJ IDEs
Unfortunately, Magnet causes the caret to bounce around in IntelliJ IDEs, this is very annoying.
Con Vertical monitor orientation snap area bug
The snap feature currently is not working on monitors with vertical orientation. The snap areas show up, but the window never snaps in place. You have to manually adjust each window on the vertical orientation monitor.
Con Costs
BetterSnapTool is no longer free and now costs $3.