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Utilities · head to head

Rectangle vs Starbucks

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
Starbucks logo

Starbucks

Utilities

Starbucks mobile ordering, payment and Starbucks Rewards loyalty app

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Rectangle rectangle Pro is a separate app rather than an in-app purchase, so upgrading means installing and managing a second piece of software.; Starbucks loading a prepaid balance onto the app effectively lends Starbucks money interest-free until it is spent, and Starbucks has reported billions of dollars in unredeemed stored value outstanding at any time.
  • They diverge on capability: Rectangle covers Keyboard shortcuts, Starbucks covers Mobile order and pay.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Rectangle and Starbucks actually diverge.

Attributes where Rectangle and Starbucks differ
AttributeRectangleStarbucks
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence feeFree app, revenue from prepaid stored value and purchases
PlatformsMaciOS, Android

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Utilities).

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 Rectangle

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

Only in Starbucks

  • Mobile order and pay
  • Starbucks Rewards
  • Stored value card
  • Personalised offers
  • Delivery integration
  • Order customisation

What people use each for

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

Rectangle

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

Starbucks

  • A regular customer wanting to order ahead and skip the in-store queuenot Rectangle
  • Someone accumulating Rewards Stars toward free drinks through routine purchasesnot Rectangle
  • A customer who prefers paying with a preloaded balance instead of a card at each purchasenot Rectangle
  • Someone wanting personalised offers based on their usual ordernot Rectangle

Where each one falls short

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

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.

Starbucks

  • Loading a prepaid balance onto the app effectively lends Starbucks money interest-free until it is spent, and Starbucks has reported billions of dollars in unredeemed stored value outstanding at any time.
  • Mobile order pickup often creates its own bottleneck at busy stores, so the convenience of skipping the register queue can be offset by waiting at the pickup counter instead.
  • Rewards redemption values and item eligibility change periodically, so accumulated Stars do not have a fixed, predictable cash value over time.
  • The app collects detailed purchase history to power targeted offers, which is the trade for the free loyalty programme rather than a neutral convenience feature.
  • Auto-reload linked to a card can catch users off guard with unexpected small recurring charges if they are not tracking their balance.

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Starbucks

Free
  • Starbucks RewardsFree
    • Free to join
    • Stars earned per dollar spent
    • No cost beyond purchases made

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Starbucks if

  • You need mobile order and pay.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android.
  • You also want starbucks rewards.
Starbucks review

Questions people ask

Is Rectangle or Starbucks better?
Neither clearly leads. Rectangle starts at Free and Starbucks at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Rectangle or Starbucks?
Rectangle starts at Free and Starbucks at Free.
Does Rectangle or Starbucks run on more platforms?
Rectangle runs on Mac. Starbucks runs on iOS, Android.
Can I use Rectangle for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Rectangle best used for?
Rectangle is most often used for a developer who wants source-available window management with no cost and no account, anyone replacing magnet who does not want to pay even a small one-time fee, a user who installs software via homebrew rather than the mac app store, a power user who later wants rectangle pro extras but does not need them from day one. Of those, a developer who wants source-available window management with no cost and no account and anyone replacing magnet who does not want to pay even a small one-time fee are not what Starbucks is typically brought in for.
What can Rectangle do that Starbucks cannot?
Rectangle covers Keyboard shortcuts, Drag to snap, Multi-display support, Almost full screen. Starbucks covers Mobile order and pay, Starbucks Rewards, Stored value card, Personalised offers.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Rectangle: Is Rectangle really free?

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

Starbucks: Does it cost anything to join Starbucks Rewards?

No, joining and using the app is free; you pay only for what you order.

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.

Starbucks: What happens to money loaded onto the app if I stop using Starbucks?

It remains as a stored balance unless redeemed; Starbucks does not pay interest on it and, subject to local law, unredeemed balances can eventually be treated as breakage revenue.

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.

Starbucks: Can I pay without preloading a balance?

Yes, many stores accept direct card or contactless payment without using the app's stored value feature.

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