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Productivity · head to head

Mimestream vs Rectangle

Mimestream logo

Mimestream

Productivity

Native Mac email client built specifically for Gmail and Google Workspace accounts, and nothing else

From
$4.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Rectangle logo

Rectangle

Utilities

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Rectangle has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Mimestream it only works with Gmail and Google Workspace, so it is entirely useless for anyone with an iCloud, Outlook, Yahoo or other IMAP account.; 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: Mimestream covers Native Gmail labels, Rectangle covers Keyboard shortcuts.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Mimestream and Rectangle actually diverge.

Attributes where Mimestream and Rectangle differ
AttributeMimestreamRectangle
Starting price$4.99/monthFree
Pricing modelPer user per monthOpen source, no licence fee
Free tierNoYes
CategoryProductivityUtilities

Identical on both: platforms (Mac), 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 Mimestream

  • Native Gmail labels
  • Gmail filters
  • Fast local search
  • Conversation threading
  • Multiple account support
  • Native macOS integration

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.

Mimestream

  • A Mac user whose email is entirely Gmail or Google Workspace and wants a faster native alternative to the Gmail web appnot Rectangle
  • Someone who finds Apple Mail handling of Gmail labels and search unreliable or confusingnot Rectangle
  • A Google Workspace user managing multiple accounts who wants them combined in one native menu bar appnot Rectangle
  • A user who wants Gmail-specific filters and search operators without opening a browser tabnot Rectangle

Rectangle

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

Where each one falls short

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

Mimestream

  • It only works with Gmail and Google Workspace, so it is entirely useless for anyone with an iCloud, Outlook, Yahoo or other IMAP account.
  • It is a subscription with no permanent free tier or lifetime purchase option, so the cost is ongoing for as long as it is used.
  • It is Mac only, so it does nothing for a Windows machine or for mobile email, which still relies on the standard Gmail app or another client.
  • Because it depends entirely on Gmail API access, any change Google makes to that API could affect Mimestream functionality outside the developer control.
  • A user who wants one email client for multiple different providers has to run Mimestream alongside a second app for non-Gmail accounts, rather than consolidating everything in one place.

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

Mimestream

$4.99/month
  • Mimestream$4.99/month
    • 49.99 USD per year if billed annually
    • Free trial before purchase
    • Covers multiple Gmail or Google Workspace accounts

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 Mimestream if

  • You need native gmail labels.
  • You work on Mac.
  • You also want gmail filters.
Mimestream review

Choose Rectangle if

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

Questions people ask

Is Mimestream or Rectangle better?
Neither clearly leads. Mimestream starts at $4.99/month and Rectangle at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Mimestream or Rectangle?
Rectangle has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $4.99/month for Mimestream and Free for Rectangle.
Does Mimestream or Rectangle run on more platforms?
Both run on Mac, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Rectangle for free?
Yes. Rectangle has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Mimestream starts at $4.99/month.
What is Mimestream best used for?
Mimestream is most often used for a mac user whose email is entirely gmail or google workspace and wants a faster native alternative to the gmail web app, someone who finds apple mail handling of gmail labels and search unreliable or confusing, a google workspace user managing multiple accounts who wants them combined in one native menu bar app, a user who wants gmail-specific filters and search operators without opening a browser tab. Of those, a mac user whose email is entirely gmail or google workspace and wants a faster native alternative to the gmail web app and someone who finds apple mail handling of gmail labels and search unreliable or confusing are not what Rectangle is typically brought in for.
What can Mimestream do that Rectangle cannot?
Mimestream covers Native Gmail labels, Gmail filters, Fast local search, Conversation threading. Rectangle covers Keyboard shortcuts, Drag to snap, Multi-display support, Almost full screen.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Mimestream: Does Mimestream work with Outlook or iCloud Mail?

No. It connects only to Gmail and Google Workspace accounts and cannot be used with any other provider.

Rectangle: Is Rectangle really free?

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

Mimestream: Is Mimestream free?

No. It is a subscription at 4.99 US dollars a month or 49.99 dollars a year, with a free trial but no permanent free tier.

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.

Mimestream: Is it available on iPhone or iPad?

No. Mimestream is a Mac-only native app with no iOS version.

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.

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