Amethyst vs DisplayFusion
Amethyst
github.com
DisplayFusion
displayfusion.comSide by side
| Figure | Amethyst | DisplayFusion |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 11 |
| Spec score · Window Management Software | 7.9 (#18) | 9.2 (#1) |
| Support | The project directs users to its troubleshooting guide for common issues and suggests Twitter or Gitter for questions or feedback. | The purchase page directs customers with license questions to contact the company for help. |
| What it does | Amethyst is a tiling window manager for macOS along the lines of xmonad. | DisplayFusion is Windows software for managing multi-monitor desktops with taskbars, wallpaper, window controls and automation. |
Plans
DisplayFusion
- DisplayFusion FreeFree
- FreeFree
- DisplayFusion Pro Standard$34, paid once
- Pro Standard$34, paid once
- DisplayFusion Pro on Steam$39.99, paid once
- DisplayFusion Pro Personal$49, paid once
- Pro Personal$49, paid once
- DisplayFusion Pro Site$899, paid once
- Pro Site$899, paid once
- DisplayFusion Pro Enterprise$3,899, paid once
In their own words
Amethyst
Amethyst is a free tiling window manager for macOS, intended to arrange windows into layouts in the style of xmonad. Its built-in choices include Tall, Wide, Two Pane, several column variants, Widescreen-Tall, Fullscreen, Column, Row, Floating, and Binary Space Partitioning. Keyboard shortcuts can switch layouts, resize the main pane, change focus, move windows between screens or Spaces, and toggle floating or global tiling. Users can configure the app through its interface or a YAML file in their home directory; when present, that file takes precedence over GUI settings. JavaScript custom layouts are available as a beta feature. Amethyst supports application rules, virtual desktop controls, and layout presets, but not window grouping. It requires macOS 10.15 or later and permission to use macOS accessibility APIs. Downloads are available from the releases page or through the Homebrew cask. The project says it does not collect personal information or transmit information over a network, and its repository identifies the license as MIT. It recommends disabling automatic rearrangement of Spaces by most recent use because that setting can make keyboard navigation unpredictable.
DisplayFusion
DisplayFusion provides controls and customization for Windows multi-monitor setups. It can add a taskbar to each monitor and configure resolution, colour depth, refresh rate, orientation, profiles, and screen splitting. Window tools support snapping, sizing, and moving windows, with saved profiles for window positions. Triggers respond to events such as window creation, focus, desktop unlock, or system idle, then run preset commands or custom scripts. A phone or tablet can control DisplayFusion remotely for actions such as changing wallpaper or toggling monitors. Wallpaper can come from a user's collection, online sources, or a direct image URL. Corporate deployment options include silent installer settings and custom ADMX templates for Active Directory Group Policy. The download page lists Windows 11, Windows 10 version 1607 or higher, and Windows Server 2016, 2019, and 2022, with x86, x64, and ARM64 support. A free 30-day Pro trial is followed by a free version. Pro Standard costs $34.00 USD once per machine and includes a lifetime license and future versions.