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Productivity · head to head

Akiflow vs Rectangle

Akiflow logo

Akiflow

Productivity

The ultimate time blocking platform

From
$19/month
Rated
-
Rectangle logo

Rectangle

Utilities

Free open source window snapping for macOS, with a separate paid Rectangle Pro for extra features

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only Rectangle has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Akiflow no native data export feature - tasks cannot be exported to CSV, JSON, or other standard formats; Rectangle rectangle Pro is a separate app rather than an in-app purchase, so upgrading means installing and managing a second piece of software.
  • They diverge on capability: Akiflow covers Universal inbox, Rectangle covers Keyboard shortcuts.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Akiflow and Rectangle actually diverge.

Attributes where Akiflow and Rectangle differ
AttributeAkiflowRectangle
Starting price$19/monthFree
Pricing modelUnknownOpen source, no licence fee
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, AndroidMac
CategoryProductivityUtilities
Founded2020Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Akiflow

  • Universal inbox
  • Time blocking
  • Command bar
  • Drag-and-drop scheduling
  • Recurring tasks
  • Google Calendar
  • Outlook
  • Todoist

Only in Rectangle

  • Keyboard shortcuts
  • Drag to snap
  • Multi-display support
  • Almost full screen
  • Rectangle Pro extras
  • Open source core

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Akiflow

  • Productivitynot Rectangle
  • Collaborationnot Rectangle
  • Task managementnot Rectangle
  • Organizationnot Rectangle

Rectangle

  • A developer who wants source-available window management with no cost and no accountnot Akiflow
  • Anyone replacing Magnet who does not want to pay even a small one-time feenot Akiflow
  • A user who installs software via Homebrew rather than the Mac App Storenot Akiflow
  • A power user who later wants Rectangle Pro extras but does not need them from day onenot Akiflow

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Akiflow

  • No native data export feature - tasks cannot be exported to CSV, JSON, or other standard formats
  • Mobile app integrations limited to 7 native apps compared to 30+ on desktop and web versions
  • Designed for individual users only with no team collaboration features or shared workspaces
  • No native project management capabilities to group related tasks or track project-level progress
  • Limited task-to-event conversion functionality restricting workflow flexibility

Rectangle

  • Rectangle Pro is a separate app rather than an in-app purchase, so upgrading means installing and managing a second piece of software.
  • It is Mac only, so it offers nothing for a user who also runs Windows and wants one window manager everywhere.
  • It has no official paid support channel, being a community open source project, so issues are handled through GitHub rather than a vendor support desk.
  • Some very old or unusually built third party apps still resist Rectangle window snapping, a limitation shared with most third party window managers on macOS.
  • Because it is not distributed through the Mac App Store, some users have to manually approve accessibility permissions and updates rather than getting silent App Store updates.

Pricing, plan by plan

Akiflow

$19/month
  • Pro$34/month
    • Universal task inbox from 30+ apps
    • Time blocking with calendar integration
    • Aki AI assistant
  • Pro Annual$19/month
    • Universal task inbox from 30+ apps
    • Time blocking with calendar integration
    • Aki AI assistant

Rectangle

Free
  • RectangleFree
    • Free and open source, no account needed
    • Keyboard and drag window snapping
    • Multi-display support
  • Rectangle Pro$9.99/one-time
    • Separate paid app, not an in-app unlock
    • Cursor-following snap areas
    • Per-app window size memory

Which should you pick?

Choose Akiflow if

  • You need universal inbox.
  • You work on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android.
  • You also want time blocking.

Choose Rectangle if

  • You need keyboard shortcuts.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Mac.
  • You also want drag to snap.

Questions people ask

Is Akiflow or Rectangle better?
Neither clearly leads. Akiflow starts at $19/month and Rectangle at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Akiflow or Rectangle?
Rectangle has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $19/month for Akiflow and Free for Rectangle.
Does Akiflow or Rectangle run on more platforms?
Akiflow runs on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android. Rectangle runs on Mac.
Can I use Rectangle for free?
Yes. Rectangle has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Akiflow starts at $19/month.
What is Akiflow best used for?
Akiflow is most often used for productivity, collaboration, task management, organization. Of those, productivity and collaboration are not what Rectangle is typically brought in for.
What can Akiflow do that Rectangle cannot?
Akiflow covers Universal inbox, Time blocking, Command bar, Drag-and-drop scheduling. Rectangle covers Keyboard shortcuts, Drag to snap, Multi-display support, Almost full screen.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Akiflow: Does Akiflow offer a free trial?

Yes, Akiflow provides a 7-day free trial with full feature access and no credit card required initially, though credit card details are needed to start. You can extend the trial to 14 days by booking a 1:1 onboarding call with the team.

Source
Rectangle: Is Rectangle really free?

Yes. The core app is free and open source with no feature gating or trial period.

Akiflow: What apps does Akiflow integrate with?

Akiflow has native integrations with 18+ apps including Slack, Gmail, Notion, Asana, ClickUp, Zoom, Google Calendar, Trello, Todoist, Jira, GitHub, Microsoft Teams, and Outlook. It also connects with 9,000 additional apps through Zapier and IFTTT.

Source
Rectangle: What does Rectangle Pro add?

Cursor-following snap areas, per-app window size memory and some additional layouts, sold as a separate one-time purchase app.

Akiflow: Can I use Akiflow offline?

The desktop app for Mac and Windows supports offline mode, allowing you to work without an internet connection and automatically syncing all changes once you reconnect.

Source
Rectangle: How is it different from Magnet?

Rectangle is free and open source; Magnet is a paid Mac App Store app from the start with no free tier.

Akiflow: Does Akiflow support team collaboration?

No, Akiflow is designed exclusively for individual power users. There are no team plans, no enterprise tier, and no freemium option. Users can share availability with others via email links but cannot collaborate directly within the app.

Source
Akiflow: What devices can I use Akiflow on?

Akiflow is available on Web, Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android with real-time syncing across all platforms. Mobile apps provide task capture, schedule viewing, and Siri integration on iOS.

Source
Akiflow: How much does Akiflow cost?

Akiflow costs $34/month billed monthly or $19/month billed annually ($228/year). There is no free plan, only a 7-day trial. Students, researchers, and healthcare workers can apply for discounts.

Source
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