Scopo vs AeroSpace
AeroSpace brings i3-style tiling to macOS. It is free, open source, and needs no SIP changes. Every window is tiled automatically into a tree of splits, you move focus and windows with vim-style keys, and workspaces are AeroSpace's own, independent of macOS Spaces, so switching is instant with no animation.
Scopo puts you in charge of tiling: you choose which windows go into a split, with a keystroke or a drag, and the rest float as usual. It keeps native macOS Spaces as the workspace unit, so Mission Control, trackpad gestures, and full-screen apps keep working, and it adds what a tiler does not have: a window switcher with live previews, window and tab search, tabbed windows, and a command bar.
| Feature | Scopo | AeroSpace |
|---|---|---|
| Scoped to the Space you're working in | Own workspaces | |
| Window-level switching (not just apps) | Directional focus only | |
| Cross-Space navigation from the keyboard | Own workspaces only | |
| Per-project shelf for files, links & text | ||
| Client / context profiles | ||
| Search across windows | ||
| Live window previews | ||
| Window tiling / snapping | Automatic (i3-style) | |
| Price | Free forever, Pro from $1.25/mo | Free, open source |
| Open source |
Where AeroSpace shines
- True i3-style automatic tiling: every window is placed for you.
- Instant workspace switching with no macOS animation.
- Free, open source, config-file driven, and works without disabling SIP.
Where Scopo is different
- Manual tiling: split the windows you choose, keep the rest floating, no config file.
- A real window switcher: live previews, most-recent-first order, and search by title or tab.
- Uses native macOS Spaces, so Mission Control, gestures, and full-screen apps work unchanged.
Choose AeroSpace if
You want every window tiled automatically, i3-style, and you are happy to live in a config file and AeroSpace's own workspaces.
Choose Scopo if
You want to switch between specific windows fast, tile only when it helps, and keep using macOS Spaces the way they are.