Is SnapState a good SnapBack alternative?
Yes, if you want Spaces, full screen windows and browser tabs restored automatically. If you mostly want free snapping, SnapBack fits better.
Comparison
SnapState vs SnapBack: which Mac workspace app should you use?
Short answer: Pick SnapState if you want your macOS Spaces, full screen windows and browser tabs back, automatically, after sleep, a restart or a monitor change. Pick SnapBack if you mainly want free window snapping with saved layouts on top. SnapState is $9.99 once for up to three Macs.
What SnapBack is
SnapBack is a menu bar window manager for macOS 14.2 and later. The free version snaps windows to halves, thirds and quarters, applies preset layouts, and saves named workspaces you restore with a shortcut. SnapBack Pro is a $9.99 one-time upgrade that adds a command palette, its own in-app Spaces (shortcut groups, not macOS Spaces), custom layouts, cycling HUDs, themes and launchers that open URLs, folders or terminal commands on restore. Source: snapbackapp.com/pro.
What SnapState is
SnapState is a native menu bar app that saves named workspaces and restores the whole desk: every window on every macOS 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. It can restore on its own on wake from sleep, when a monitor connects or disconnects, or when a matching display layout appears. $9.99 once, up to three Macs, macOS 15.7 or later.
Side by side
| SnapState | SnapBack | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 once, up to three Macs | Free; Pro $9.99 once |
| macOS | 15.7 or later | 14.2 or later |
| Saves named workspaces | Yes | Yes |
| Restores windows to their macOS Spaces | Yes | Not listed on its site |
| Restores full screen windows | Yes | Not listed on its site |
| Reopens browser tabs | Yes, all open tabs (Safari, Chrome, Edge, Brave, Arc, Chromium) | Pro launchers can open a set URL |
| Automatic restore on wake or monitor change | Yes | Adapts to display changes; workspace restore is by shortcut or menu |
| Window snapping and tiling | No | Yes, halves, thirds, quarters, drag to snap |
| Command palette | No | Pro |
| Run terminal commands on restore | No | Pro |
A September 2026 comparison by Resettle also notes that SnapBack is pre 1.0 (0.43.1 in August 2026) and has no support for macOS Spaces, and that its guide says to press your restore shortcut after reconnecting a monitor. Source: getresettle.com/compare.
Where SnapBack is the better pick
If you want free window snapping, preset grid layouts, a command palette or launchers that start a dev server when a workspace opens, SnapBack does those and SnapState does not. It also runs on macOS 14.2, where SnapState needs 15.7.
Where SnapState is the better pick
If your problem is that macOS scrambles your desk, SnapState covers more of it: windows go back to the right Space and display, full screen apps come back full screen, every browser tab reopens, and it can all happen on its own after sleep or a dock reconnect. One license covers three Macs.
Use both?
You can. Snap windows with SnapBack, Rectangle or the built-in macOS tiling while you work, then save the result as a SnapState workspace so Spaces, tabs and displays come back too. See Rectangle alternative and best Mac workspace managers.
What are the honest limits?
SnapState does not tile or snap windows, Firefox is not supported yet, tab groups are not restored, it requires macOS 15.7 or later, and there is no free trial.
Questions people ask
Does SnapBack restore macOS Spaces?
Its site does not list macOS Spaces restore, and a third party comparison says it has no support for Spaces. SnapBack Pro Spaces are shortcut groups inside the app.
How much do they cost?
SnapState is $9.99 once for up to three Macs. SnapBack is free, with a $9.99 one-time Pro upgrade.
Which macOS versions?
SnapState needs macOS 15.7 or later. SnapBack lists macOS 14.2 or later.
Get SnapState for $9.99One-time purchase · up to three Macs · 14-day refund