Scopo vs Amethyst
Amethyst is an automatic tiler for macOS. Open a window and it is placed for you, according to the active layout: tall, wide, column, fullscreen, and more. You cycle layouts, swap windows, and throw them to other Spaces from the keyboard, and it is free and open source.
Scopo tiles the windows you choose, when you choose. Press Option+D to split the focused window's tile and pick a window from a live picker, or drag the on-hover handle. Splits nest into columns, stacks, and grids, each Space keeps its own layout on every monitor, and the same app is also a window switcher with live previews, search, tabbed windows, and a command bar.
| Feature | Scopo | Amethyst |
|---|---|---|
| Scoped to the Space you're working in | Layouts per Space | |
| Window-level switching (not just apps) | Directional focus only | |
| Cross-Space navigation from the keyboard | Move window only | |
| Per-project shelf for files, links & text | ||
| Client / context profiles | ||
| Search across windows | ||
| Live window previews | ||
| Window tiling / snapping | Automatic (layouts) | |
| Price | Free forever, Pro from $1.25/mo | Free, open source |
| Open source |
Where Amethyst shines
- Windows are tiled the moment they open, with no manual step.
- Several layouts you can cycle through per Space.
- Free, open source, and works with native macOS Spaces.
Where Scopo is different
- You decide which windows tile; nothing rearranges on its own.
- Nested splits and tabbed tiles, built by keystroke or drag, and restored after a restart.
- A window switcher with live previews and search on top of tiling.
Choose Amethyst if
You want every window tiled automatically into a layout and prefer not to think about placement.
Choose Scopo if
You want tiling under your control, plus a real window switcher and search, scoped to each Space.