What is Amethyst?
Amethyst is a free, open-source tiling window manager for macOS in the style of xmonad. It arranges windows automatically according to the chosen layout, such as a main pane beside a stack, columns, rows or binary space partitioning, and lets you cycle layouts and move focus from the keyboard. Settings can be changed in the app or in a YAML file, and custom layouts can be written in JavaScript.
Amethyst is free to use. See every plan
Good for
- Mac users who want windows arranged automatically as they open
- People coming from xmonad who want similar key bindings
- Those who want tiling with a settings window rather than only a config file
Worth knowing
- macOS only; the site says it is supported on macOS 10.15 or later.
- It needs Accessibility permission, granted under Privacy & Security in System Settings.
- The site advises turning off the macOS setting that rearranges Spaces by recent use, or keyboard navigation between Spaces becomes unpredictable.
- Custom JavaScript layouts are labeled beta, and not every layout responds to the resize commands.
Key features
- Automatic tiling layouts
- Windows are placed by the active layout: Tall, Wide, Two Pane, three-column variants, Column, Row, Fullscreen, Widescreen-Tall and binary space partitioning. Layouts can be removed from the cycle.
- xmonad-style shortcuts
- Two modifier combinations, Option-Shift and Control-Option-Shift by default, cycle layouts, resize the main pane, move focus and swap windows.
- Spaces and screens
- Shortcuts throw the focused window to a numbered Space or to another screen, and move focus between screens.
- Floating windows
- Toggle floating for the focused window, list apps that should always float or always tile, and let windows under a size threshold float by default.
- Mouse options
- Optional settings make focus follow the mouse, move the pointer to the focused window, swap windows by dragging one onto another, and update the layout after a mouse resize.
- YAML config and custom layouts
- A file at ~/.amethyst.yml sets layouts, margins, padding and shortcuts, and overrides the app's settings window. Custom layouts written in JavaScript are in beta.
Amethyst pricing
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- The whole app is free and open source under the MIT license. The developer says it will always be free and suggests donating to listed charities instead.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Amethyst | $0 | Every layout, keyboard shortcut and configuration option, as a direct download or through Homebrew. MIT licensed. |
Read from ianyh.com on Oct 9, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Amethyst before you buy.
Amethyst alternatives
- Amethyst vs Loop
Free
- Amethyst vs Moom
Free trial · from $15 one-time
- Amethyst vs Magnet
From $4.99 one-time
Common questions
Is Amethyst free?
Yes. Amethyst is free to use. The whole app is free and open source under the MIT license. The developer says it will always be free and suggests donating to listed charities instead.
How much does Amethyst cost?
Amethyst lists one plan. Amethyst: $0. Prices were read from ianyh.com on Oct 9, 2026.
What platforms does Amethyst work on?
Amethyst is available on macOS.
Does Amethyst have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. Amethyst is listed for macOS.
Does Amethyst have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. Amethyst is listed for macOS.
Is Amethyst open source?
Yes. Amethyst is open source, according to its own site.
Who makes Amethyst?
Amethyst is made by Ian Ynda-Hummel.
What are the alternatives to Amethyst?
The closest alternatives to Amethyst in our directory are AeroSpace, Rectangle, Loop, Moom and Magnet. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Amethyst.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 9, 2026.