Alternative

A BetterSnapTool alternative that brings back your whole layout, not one window.

BetterSnapTool is a long-running window snapper from the Mac App Store. People look for an alternative when they notice they snap the same windows into place every morning, after every sleep and every time they dock.

Short answer: BetterSnapTool places one window at a time and does not save the whole arrangement. SnapState saves the full setup, apps, windows on every Space, displays and browser tabs, and restores it in one click or automatically on wake and monitor connect. $9.99 one-time for up to three Macs.

Where BetterSnapTool falls short

BetterSnapTool moves the window you drag into a snap area when you drag it to an edge or press a shortcut. It does not keep a record of where all your windows were, so after sleep, a restart, a macOS update or plugging into a dock you start from a messy screen and rebuild the layout window by window. It does not relaunch apps, put apps back on their Spaces, handle full screen windows or reopen browser tabs.

What SnapState does instead

SnapState is a native macOS menu bar app that saves named workspaces. Each one keeps the windows on every Space with position and size, the apps needed to relaunch them, the display layout, full screen windows, and all open tabs in Safari, Chrome, Edge, Brave, Arc and Chromium once Automation permission is granted. Restore from the menu bar, with Control-Command-1 to 6, or automatically on wake from sleep, when a monitor connects or disconnects, or when a matching display layout appears.

BetterSnapTool vs SnapState at a glance

Save a multi-app layout: SnapState yes, BetterSnapTool no.
Restore after sleep, restart or docking: SnapState restores automatically; with BetterSnapTool you snap each window again.
Windows on every Space and full screen apps: SnapState puts them back; BetterSnapTool only acts on the window you snap.
Browser tabs: SnapState reopens tabs in Safari and Chromium browsers; BetterSnapTool does not.
Price: SnapState is $9.99 once for up to three Macs, with a 14-day refund.

Keep BetterSnapTool if you like snapping

The two run fine side by side: snap with BetterSnapTool while you work, save the result as a SnapState workspace, and let SnapState put it back. See also Rectangle, Magnet and Raycast vs SnapState, the Magnet alternative and BetterTouchTool window layouts vs SnapState.

Questions people ask

Does BetterSnapTool save window layouts?

BetterSnapTool snaps individual windows into halves, quarters and custom snap areas. It does not save a multi-app arrangement across Spaces and displays, relaunch apps or reopen browser tabs.

Why do my windows move after sleep or reconnecting a monitor even with BetterSnapTool?

macOS re-detects displays on wake and reconnect and often piles windows onto one screen. BetterSnapTool has no saved workspace to put back, so you snap each window again. SnapState can restore the saved workspace automatically on wake or when a monitor connects.

Can I use SnapState with BetterSnapTool?

Yes. BetterSnapTool snaps while you work, SnapState saves the result and restores it.

How much is SnapState?

$9.99 once for up to three Macs, no subscription.

Get SnapState for $9.99One-time purchase · up to three Macs · 14-day refund