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LanesMac vs AeroSpace
AeroSpace is a free, open-source tiling window manager for macOS inspired by i3. It splits the screen into a tree of tiles and is set up with a text config file. LanesMac takes a different approach: every window is a column on a strip that scrolls, so opening a window never shrinks the others.
Every feature free for 24 hours. No account needed.
Choose LanesMac if…
- You want every window to keep its width when you open another one
- You like moving around with trackpad swipes as well as the keyboard
- You'd rather use a settings window than edit a config file
- You want stacks and tabbed columns without writing any configuration
Choose AeroSpace if…
- You want a free, open-source tool
- You prefer i3-style tree tiling where everything fits on one screen
- You rely on many virtual workspaces you switch between with the keyboard
- You enjoy tuning your setup in a config file
Side by side
| Feature | LanesMac | AeroSpace |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | Scrolling strip of full-height columns | i3-style tree of tiles on each workspace |
| Opening a window | Opens beside the focused one; others keep their size | Splits the space, so existing tiles get smaller |
| Setup | Settings window, no config file | TOML config file |
| Trackpad | Swipe to scroll the strip | Keyboard-driven |
| Workspaces | One strip per display; macOS Spaces not managed | Its own virtual workspaces |
| System Integrity Protection | No changes needed | No changes needed |
| Price | One-time $19.99, lifetime license | Free and open source |
Based on each project's public documentation as of 2026. See AeroSpace for its latest features.
Scrolling instead of splitting
In a tree tiler, the screen is a fixed amount of space. Each new window takes a share of it, so four windows each get roughly a quarter. In LanesMac, the strip simply grows: a code editor stays at the width you chose while a browser and a terminal sit next to it, ready to scroll into view.
Workspaces vs one long strip
AeroSpace organises windows into many workspaces. LanesMac gives each display one strip and helps you find windows with search (⌃⌥Space), an overview (⌃⌥O) and jumping straight to windows 1 to 9. If you think in numbered workspaces, AeroSpace may suit you better; if you think in a row of things you're working on, LanesMac will feel natural.
Questions
Is LanesMac free like AeroSpace?
No. LanesMac is a one-time purchase with a lifetime license for one Mac, and every feature is free for 24 hours after the first launch so you can compare them yourself.
Can I run LanesMac and AeroSpace together?
No. Two window managers moving the same windows will fight each other. Quit one before starting the other.
See which one fits
The quickest way to decide is to try it with your own windows. LanesMac is free for 24 hours, then a one-time purchase.