Alternatives to FancyZones
PowerToys' Windows layout zones
FancyZones ranks #1 of 8 in Window managers, with an Alt Score of 75. It is licensed under MIT, free and available on Windows. 8 of 9 checklist rows are verified against a public source.
Windows power users and multitaskers who juggle many open windows and want a faster, more precise alternative to basic Windows Snap for arranging their desktop.
A layout editor for building custom zone grids (or freeform canvas layouts) per monitor, with built-in templates for common configurations. Windows can be snapped into one or multiple zones via mouse dragging or keyboard shortcuts, and layouts can be assigned hotkeys for instant switching. It supports multi-monitor setups, remembers window-to-zone assignments across resolution changes, and includes a command-line interface for scripting layout changes.
Open the layout editor (Win+Shift+`) to pick a template or build a custom grid/canvas layout, then assign it to a monitor. Drag a window (optionally holding Shift) to reveal the zones and drop it into one, or use Win+arrow keys to snap the focused window between zones.
Why people leave FancyZones
Dashed reasons are sourced facts; the rest are opinions. Vendors can dispute.
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Ranked alternatives
Ordered by Alt Score. Click any score to see the breakdown.
Feature comparison
How FancyZones compares with its alternatives, feature by feature.
| Window managers checklist | FancyZones | BetterTouchTool | Rectangle | Hammerspoon | Magnet | Moom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | ||||||
| Starts at | ||||||
| License | ||||||
| Platforms | ||||||
| Keyboard shortcuts | ||||||
| Snap layouts | ||||||
| Tiling (automatic) | ||||||
| Multi-monitor profiles | ||||||
| Scriptable | ||||||
| Open source | ||||||
| One-time purchase option | ||||||
| Touchpad gestures | ||||||
| Menu bar control |
Every fact and feature listed for FancyZones is verified against its own pages. Each alternative is sourced on its own page.
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License MIT verified 2026-07-10
The MIT License
https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/blob/main/LICENSE -
Pricing model Free verified 2026-07-10
Microsoft PowerToys is a set of free, open-source utilities designed to help power users and developers get more out of Windows.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/ -
Platforms Windows verified 2026-07-10
Windows 11 or Windows 10 version 2004 (20H1 / build 19041) or newer
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/install -
Status active verified 2026-07-10
26 Jun 10:12
https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/releases/tag/v0.100.2 -
Keyboard shortcuts Yes verified 2026-07-10
Use Win+[arrow keys] to snap a window to a zone.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/fancyzones -
Snap layouts Yes verified 2026-07-10
FancyZones is a powerful window manager utility in PowerToys that helps you arrange and snap windows into custom layouts for improved productivity and workflow efficiency.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/fancyzones -
Tiling (automatic) Partial verified 2026-07-10
Manual drag-to-zone; can auto-restore last zone, not full auto-tiling.
Automatically move a newly opened window into the last zone location that application was in.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/fancyzones -
Multi-monitor profiles Yes verified 2026-07-10
Select a monitor, and it becomes the target of the selected layout.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/fancyzones -
Scriptable Yes verified 2026-07-10
The FancyZones CLI lets you apply and manage window layouts directly from the command line.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/fancyzones -
Open source Yes verified 2026-07-10
PowerToys is an open-source project.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/ -
One-time purchase option No verified 2026-07-10
Free OSS; no purchase.
Microsoft PowerToys is a set of free, open-source utilities designed to help power users and developers get more out of Windows.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/ -
Menu bar control Yes verified 2026-07-10
When activated, PowerToys shows an icon in the system tray area of the taskbar. You can use this icon to open the PowerToys settings app or the PowerToys flyout.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/general
FAQ
Yes. Rectangle, Hammerspoon and AeroSpace have a free tier or are fully free. Free-tier limits in the comparison table are verified and dated.
Rectangle, Hammerspoon and AeroSpace — every license claim links its source.