AquaSnap vs VirtuaWin (2026): which should you pick?

Pick AquaSnap if

• Fits if you use Windows and want to snap windows into layouts
• Works for a personal computer, where the freeware edition is allowed

Look elsewhere if

• Not for you if you're on a Mac or Linux, as it's Windows only
• Pricey if you need it for work and buy one license, at $29 against $16 in the middle
• Tight if you want freeware at work, because that edition is personal use only
• Watch out: a site license is $899

Pick VirtuaWin if

• Fits if you want virtual desktops on Windows and don't want to pay
• Works for people who like to read or change the source

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you use macOS or Linux, since it is Windows only
• Watch out: the latest release is 4.5 from January 2021, and a release note says taskbar support should be rechecked on newer Windows
• Tight if you want hand-holding, because help comes from the project's SourceForge page, not a company
• Not for you if you hate fiddling, since some apps need a window rule to follow desktop changes

AquaSnap

• Windows only (Windows 7 through 11).
• The free edition is for personal use; work use needs a Professional license.
• The vendor offers a 90-day money-back guarantee on paid licenses.

VirtuaWin

• Windows only; the site says it supports all recent versions without naming them.
• The latest release is 4.5 from January 2021, and a release note says dynamic taskbar support should be rechecked on newer Windows versions.
• The FAQ lists known quirks, such as applications that stay visible after a desktop change until a window rule is set.
• There is no company support; help comes from the project's SourceForge page.

AquaSnap

Window docking

Drag a window to a side or corner of the screen and it resizes to half or a quarter of the screen.

Tiling

With two windows side by side, resizing one while holding Ctrl resizes the other as well.

Snapping and stretching

Windows snap to each other like magnets, and double-clicking an edge stretches a window in one direction.

Move windows together

Hold Ctrl while moving one window and the group of adjacent windows follows.

Shake for transparent, always-on-top

Shaking a window makes it transparent and keeps it on top; shaking again restores it.

Keyboard and mouse shortcuts

Every feature has customizable keyboard shortcuts, and window frame areas can be given extra mouse actions.

VirtuaWin

Up to nine desktops

Organizes applications across as many as 9 virtual desktops, in the way many Linux desktops do.

Hotkeys

Desktop switching and window actions can be assigned to keys, with a manual hotkey editing guide for combinations the setup dialog rejects.

Window rules

Rules tell VirtuaWin how to treat applications that use unusual window types and would not otherwise follow desktop changes.

Modules

Add-on modules extend the base program, and the project has a module API.

Mouse-wheel switching

Can be set up to change desktops with the wheel, as described in the FAQ.

Portable install

The FAQ explains how to run it from a memory stick or install without admin rights.

AquaSnap

• Personal$0

  Freeware for personal use only; the pricing page lists the same features as the paid editions.

• Professional, Standard License$29

  per license (1 computer)

  For professional use on one computer. Volume pricing runs from $21.75 each for 2 licenses down to $18 each for 10 or more.

• Professional, Site License$899

  per site

  One license covering a site; the page says 1 license per site.

VirtuaWin

• Free$0

  The full program, with the source code published.

AquaSnap

• Other savings

  Volume discounts on Professional licenses

  The pricing page lists 25% off for 2 licenses, up to 38% off for 10 or more.

VirtuaWin

No public discounts listed.