The Amethyst Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Amethyst in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Amethyst
The Insider’s Guide
Free, open-source automatic tiling window manager for macOS
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among desktop utilities, read from Amethyst’s own pages.
Made by Ian Ynda-Hummel · checked Oct 9, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Amethyst’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Amethyst’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 9, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.6
GPA, above 36 of the 94 other desktop utilities we grade
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.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Amethyst, taken from its own pages and our grades.
It's macOS only, custom JavaScript layouts are beta, and the site tells you to turn off a Spaces setting before you start.
- 1
Best for automatic window tiling on a Mac, for free
It has a settings window as well as a YAML file, but you still learn two sets of xmonad-style shortcuts.
- 2
It is free
Amethyst has no paid plan at all. 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.
- 3
It runs on macOS
macOS.
- 4
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.
- 5
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.
- 6
Spaces and screens
Shortcuts throw the focused window to a numbered Space or to another screen, and move focus between screens.
- 7
A 2.6 GPA, above 36 of 94
That is against the other desktop utilities we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
Amethyst is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
Amethyst at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS
- Made by
- Ian Ynda-Hummel
- Category
- Desktop Utilities
- Our grade
- 2.6 GPA, good
The report card
Best for automatic window tiling on a Mac, for free
Amethyst is a free, open-source tiling window manager for the Mac: each window you open slots into the layout you've picked, such as a main pane beside a stack. It has a settings window as well as a YAML file, but you still learn two sets of xmonad-style shortcuts. It's macOS only, custom JavaScript layouts are beta, and the site tells you to turn off a Spaces setting before you start.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | It costs nothing, and it's a program you just download and run. The whole app is free and open source under the MIT license, and the developer says it will always be free. Want to say thanks? The suggestion is to give to one of the listed charities. |
| Free plan and trial | A | Every layout, keyboard shortcut and configuration option is free, as a direct download or through Homebrew. There's no paid version, so there's nothing to run out of. |
| Features | C | Automatic tiling is one job and Amethyst covers it: Tall, Wide, Two Pane, three-column, Column, Row, Widescreen-Tall and binary space partitioning, with floating rules and shortcuts to throw a window to a Space or screen. It stops there, and custom JavaScript layouts are still beta. |
| Ease of use | C | No rating is on record. There's a settings window as well as a YAML file, but the driving is two stacks of xmonad-style shortcuts to learn. It needs Accessibility permission, and the site tells you to turn off the macOS setting that rearranges Spaces by recent use. |
| Platforms and integrations | D | Mac only, supported on macOS 10.15 or later. No integrations are listed. It's one operating system, and that's the lot. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Amethyst is for
- Fits if you want windows arranged for you the moment they open
- Works for people coming from xmonad who want similar key bindings
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you're not on a Mac, as it's supported on macOS 10.15 or later only
- Not for you if you want to write your own layouts today, since custom JavaScript layouts are still labeled beta
- Tight if you like macOS reshuffling Spaces by recent use: the site says to turn that off or Space navigation gets unpredictable
- Watch out: not every layout responds to the resize commands, and it needs Accessibility permission
- Not for you if you don't want shortcuts to learn, as most of the driving is from the keyboard
Good to know
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.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
Free
No paid plan at all
Amethyst is free to use.
It costs nothing, and it's a program you just download and run.
Amethyst
$0
Every layout, keyboard shortcut and configuration option, as a direct download or through Homebrew. MIT licensed.
The 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.
Read from ianyh.com on Oct 9, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: macOS
Free, open-source automatic tiling window manager for macOS. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, keyboard-first, window management.
It stops there, and custom JavaScript layouts are still beta.
- 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.
Where it runs
- macOS
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
Amethyst is made by Ian Ynda-Hummel.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
36/94
Other desktop utilities it is graded above
Amethyst's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 36 of the 94 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 20.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 49 of 94) and worst on platforms and integrations (D, above 0).
Amethyst has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 1.7 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 95 desktop utilities we grade, cut by the letter each got. Amethyst’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 24 of 94
- AFree plan and trialAbove 49 of 94
- CFeaturesAbove 1 of 94
- CEase of useAbove 6 of 94
- DPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 94
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 55 desktop utilities. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Amethyst is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
Amethyst is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces.
What you could not
- Control over other apps' windows.
- A real app for macOS. Something home-made would be a web page.
What this rests on. Amethyst’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
AeroSpace, Rectangle, Loop, Moom and Magnet
The 5 tools Amethyst is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.4GPA
AeroSpace
Free
- 2.8GPA
Rectangle
Free
- 2.8GPA
Loop
Free
- 2.2GPA
Moom
Free trial · from $15 one-time
Mac window manager with saved layouts, snapping and a palette.
- Amethyst has a free plan. Moom does not, though it has a free trial.
- Amethyst is open source, according to its own site.
- Moom can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 2.0GPA
Magnet
From $4.99 one-time
Window snapping for Mac by drag, shortcut or menu bar.
- Amethyst has a free plan. Magnet does not.
- Amethyst is open source, according to its own site.
- Magnet can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
11
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Amethyst free?
Yes. Amethyst is free to use.
How much does Amethyst cost?
Amethyst lists one plan. Amethyst: $0.
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.
How does Amethyst compare with other desktop utilities?
Amethyst's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 36 of the 94 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 20.
Is Amethyst good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Amethyst A for value for money. Amethyst has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of Amethyst?
Amethyst is free, so making your own would save you nothing. And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Amethyst’s own pages on Oct 9, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Amethyst's own pages on 9 October 2026. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-06-22.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Ian Ynda-Hummel. Prices change, so check ianyh.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
3,189
Tools graded, in 94 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
3,189
tools graded
94
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Amethyst, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/amethyst
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Amethyst: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 9, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/amethyst
Know someone choosing between desktop utilities?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/amethyst/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded desktop utilities after Amethyst, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Desktop Utilities Insider's GuideEvery one of the 95 desktop utilities we grade, compared
- LocalSend Insider's GuideOpen-source file sharing between nearby devices, no cloud3.2 GPA
- Ninite Insider's GuideInstalls and updates many Windows apps at once3.2 GPA
- 7-Zip Insider's GuideFree, open-source file archiver with the 7z format3.0 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Amethyst’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Amethyst is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Ian Ynda-Hummel. Prices and plans change: check ianyh.com before you buy.