# FancyZones for Mac: the closest options

Source: https://ribbonformac.com/fancyzones-for-mac  
Updated: 2026-10-29

FancyZones is part of Microsoft PowerToys, which is Windows-only, so there's no Mac version. Which replacement fits depends on why you used it. For a few fixed zones on a big monitor, a snapping app with custom areas comes closest. For thirds on an ultrawide, Rectangle's thirds may be enough. If you used zones to fit more windows than halves allow, a scrolling window manager solves the same problem differently.

## What FancyZones does

FancyZones lets you draw a layout of zones on each monitor (columns, rows, a grid, or your own shapes), then snap windows into a zone by holding Shift while you drag, or, with its override option on, with <kbd>Win</kbd> plus an arrow. It's most popular on ultrawide and large monitors, where Windows' own halves waste space.

## What macOS has built in

macOS 15 Sequoia and later snaps to halves and quarters by dragging to edges and corners, or with <kbd>Fn</kbd><kbd>⌃</kbd> plus an arrow. There's no way to define your own zones. See [how to tile windows on a Mac](https://ribbonformac.com/how-to-tile-windows-on-mac).

## The closest Mac apps

| App | Custom zones | Price | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Rectangle | No; fixed halves, thirds, quarters, sixths | Free, open source | The usual first install; covers most FancyZones layouts on a single monitor |
| Rectangle Pro | Yes, snap areas you draw | $9.99 once | Also saves layouts of apps and restores them with one shortcut |
| Magnet | Fixed areas | Paid, Mac App Store | Simple drag-to-snap and shortcuts |
| Raycast | No; window commands with hotkeys | Free for personal use | A launcher that also places windows |

If you liked FancyZones because you could draw zones, Rectangle Pro is the closest match. If you only ever used three columns, Rectangle's thirds may be enough.

## Ultrawide monitors

FancyZones is popular on ultrawides because halves are too wide there. On a Mac ultrawide, the same thinking applies: three or four columns beat two. The [ultrawide window manager guide](https://ribbonformac.com/ultrawide-monitor-window-manager-mac) compares the options in detail.

## A different answer: no zones at all

Zones are a fixed number of slots. That works until you need one more window than you have zones, and then something gets covered.

A scrolling window manager drops the slots. In [Ribbon](https://ribbonformac.com/), every window is a column on a horizontal strip that can be wider than the screen. Each column keeps the width you gave it (<kbd>⌃</kbd><kbd>⌥</kbd><kbd>R</kbd> cycles through a quarter, a third, a half, two thirds, three quarters and full width by default, and you can change the presets). On an ultrawide, four columns might be visible at once; open a fifth and the strip scrolls rather than squeezing the others. There's no layout to draw, and nothing to snap: windows are placed as they open.

You can [try the strip in the live demo](https://ribbonformac.com/#demo). Ribbon is [$9.99 once](https://ribbonformac.com/#pricing) for macOS 13 or later on Apple silicon.

## Coming from Windows: other things to know

- <kbd>Win</kbd> plus an arrow becomes <kbd>Fn</kbd><kbd>⌃</kbd> plus an arrow on macOS 15 and later. See [Windows Snap on a Mac](https://ribbonformac.com/windows-snap-layouts-on-mac).
- Alt-Tab switches apps on a Mac, not windows. See [Alt-Tab on a Mac](https://ribbonformac.com/alt-tab-on-mac).
- Virtual desktops are called Spaces. See [multiple desktops on a Mac](https://ribbonformac.com/mac-virtual-desktops-spaces).

## FAQ

### Is there FancyZones for Mac?

No. PowerToys is Windows-only. Rectangle Pro's custom snap areas are the closest match; Rectangle covers fixed layouts for free.

### What's the best FancyZones alternative for an ultrawide Mac monitor?

For fixed columns, Rectangle or Rectangle Pro. For more windows than columns, a scrolling window manager like Ribbon, which lets the layout extend past the screen edge.

### Can macOS snap to thirds?

Not by itself. Built-in tiling does halves and quarters. Rectangle, Raycast and window managers add thirds.

## Keep reading
- [Windows Snap on Mac](https://ribbonformac.com/windows-snap-layouts-on-mac) — Win+arrow, Snap Layouts and Snap Assist mapped to macOS tiling and apps.
- [Ultrawide window manager](https://ribbonformac.com/ultrawide-monitor-window-manager-mac) — Thirds, centre layouts or a scrolling strip: making a 34" or 49" screen usable.
- [Split screen into three](https://ribbonformac.com/split-screen-three-windows-mac) — The built-in three-window layout, equal thirds, and what happens when a fourth window opens.
- [Auto-arrange windows](https://ribbonformac.com/auto-arrange-windows-mac) — Fill & Arrange in macOS 15, why it doesn't stick, and managers that place windows for you.
- [Best window manager for Mac](https://ribbonformac.com/best-window-manager-for-mac) — Built-in tiling, snappers, grid tilers and scrolling managers, and who each suits.