Apple Spaces Alternatives

Apple Spaces is described as 'Spaces, one of the coolest new features of Mac OS X Leopard, lets you switch among multiple desktops. For example, you might create a communication workspace for Mail, iChat, and Address Book, another for media programs like iTunes and iPhoto, and a third for video games' and is an app in the network & admin category. There are more than 10 alternatives to Apple Spaces for Windows, Linux, Mac, BSD and PortableApps.com. The best Apple Spaces alternative is Compiz, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Apple Spaces are VirtuaWin, Mission Control, Sysinternals Desktops and KWin.

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Apple Spaces alternatives are mainly Window Managers but may also be Virtual Desktop Managers or File Managers.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Apple Spaces.
Apple Spaces iconApple Spaces
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Spaces, one of the coolest new features of Mac OS X Leopard, lets you switch among multiple desktops. For example, you might create a communication workspace for Mail, iChat, and Address Book, another for media programs...

More about Apple Spaces
More about Apple Spaces
Apple Spaces alternatives page was last updated Jan 10, 2023
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  1. Compiz icon
    Compiz icon

    Compiz

     161 likes
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    Compiz is a compositing manager adding fancy effects to your windows, from drop shadows to awesome desktop effects like the Desktop Cube or the Expo view.

    27 Compiz alternatives
    Compiz screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Compiz screenshot 1
    Compiz screenshot 2

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  Dark Mode
    3.  Support for scripting
    4.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    5.  No Tracking
    6.  No registration required
    Compiz iconApple Spaces Icon

    Compiz VS Apple Spaces

    Is Compiz a good alternative to Apple Spaces?
     

    • Compiz is the most popular Linux alternative to Apple Spaces.

    • Compiz is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Apple Spaces.

    • Compiz is Free and Open SourceApple Spaces is Paid and Proprietary
    • Compiz is Privacy focused and LightweightApple Spaces is not according to our users
  2. VirtuaWin icon
    VirtuaWin icon

    VirtuaWin

     80 likes
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    VirtuaWin is a virtual desktop manager for the Windows operating system (Win9x/ME/NT/Win2K/XP/Win2003/Vista/Win7/Win10). A virtual desktop manager lets you organize applications over several virtual desktops (also called ‘workspaces’).

    22 VirtuaWin alternatives
    VirtuaWin - Multiple Virtual Desktops

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • PortableApps.com

    VirtuaWin Features

    1.  Portable
    Main Setup Dialog
    Window Rules Dialog
    Discontinued

    The latest version (4.5) is from January 2021.

    VirtuaWin iconApple Spaces Icon

    VirtuaWin VS Apple Spaces

    Is VirtuaWin a good alternative to Apple Spaces?
     

    • VirtuaWin is the most popular Windows alternative to Apple Spaces.

    • VirtuaWin is Free and Open SourceApple Spaces is Paid and Proprietary
  4. Mission Control icon
    Mission Control icon

    Mission Control

     13 likes
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    Mission Control, formerly Exposé, is a feature of the macOS operating system.

    23 Mission Control alternatives
    Mission Control screenshot 1

    License model

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac

    Mission Control Features

    1.  Bundled with macOS
    2.  Window organizer
    Mission Control screenshot 1
    Mission Control screenshot 2
    +1
    Mission Control screenshot 3
    Mission Control iconApple Spaces Icon

    Mission Control VS Apple Spaces

    Is Mission Control a good alternative to Apple Spaces?
     

    • Mission Control is the most popular Mac alternative to Apple Spaces.

    • Mission Control is the most popular commercial alternative to Apple Spaces.

    • Mission Control is Paid and ProprietaryApple Spaces is also Paid and Proprietary
  5. Sysinternals Desktops icon
    Sysinternals Desktops icon

    Sysinternals Desktops

     17 likes
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    Desktops, part of the Sysinternals Suite , allows you to organize your applications on up to four virtual desktops. Read email on one, browse the web on the second, and do work in your productivity software on the third, without the clutter of...

    11 Sysinternals Desktops alternatives
    Sysinternals Desktops screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Sysinternals Desktops screenshot 1
    Discontinued

    The program seems no longer updated. Last version, 2.01, released in October 2021, can be still downloaded from the official website

    Sysinternals Desktops iconApple Spaces Icon

    Sysinternals Desktops VS Apple Spaces

    Is this a good alternative to Apple Spaces?
     

  6. KWin

     9 likes
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    KWin is a window manager for the X Window System, and is in the process of becoming a Wayland compositor. It is an integral part, and the default window manager of the Plasma Workspaces, but it can also be used on its own or with other desktop environments.

    54 KWin alternatives
    KWin's desktop cube.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD

    KWin Features

    1.  Extensible window manager
    Apple Spaces Icon

    KWin VS Apple Spaces

    Is KWin a good alternative to Apple Spaces?
     
  7. Raskin icon
    Raskin icon

    Raskin

     11 likes
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    Experience Raskin's unique bird's eye view to browse and manage your pictures, presentations, PDFs…

    12 Raskin alternatives
    Raskin screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac

    Raskin Features

    1.  Works Offline
    Raskin screenshot 1
    Raskin screenshot 2
    +2
    Raskin screenshot 3
    Raskin iconApple Spaces Icon

    Raskin VS Apple Spaces

    Is Raskin a good alternative to Apple Spaces?
     
  9. WindowsPager icon
    WindowsPager icon

    WindowsPager

     25 likes
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    WindowsPager is a desktop-switcher/pager for Windows to manage virtual workspaces/desktops. It will integrate smoothly into the desktop panel.

    10 WindowsPager alternatives
    Screenshot: Fullscreen Vista

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows

    WindowsPager Features

    1.  Portable
    2.  Support for Multiple Monitors
    Patterns
    Discontinued

    The program hasn't been updated since 2011

    WindowsPager iconApple Spaces Icon

    WindowsPager VS Apple Spaces

    Is WindowsPager a good alternative to Apple Spaces?
     
  10. Nimi Visuals icon
    Nimi Visuals icon

    Nimi Visuals

     12 likes
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    Adds eye-candy effects to windows (and start menu) like deformations (e.g: jelly windows - that makes moved window wiggle like being made from jelly; or fold - which hides windows by folding up horizontally, and unfolds when showing), physics (e.g.

    27 Nimi Visuals alternatives
    Nimi Visuals screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Nimi Visuals Features

    1.  Portable
    Nimi Visuals screenshot 1
    Nimi Visuals screenshot 2
    Discontinued

    It says that it has automatically stopped production.

    Nimi Visuals iconApple Spaces Icon

    Nimi Visuals VS Apple Spaces

    Is Nimi Visuals a good alternative to Apple Spaces?
     
  11. mDesktop icon
    mDesktop icon

    mDesktop

     6 likes
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    mDesktop is a lightweight application that allows the user to utilize multiple virtual desktops. Also, mDesktop integrates with Hotcorners. mDesktop currently supports up to ten virtual desktops.

    10 mDesktop alternatives
    Tray Options

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows

    mDesktop Features

    1.  Support for Hot corners
    Settings
    Discontinued

    The latest version (1.7.2) is from May 2018.

    mDesktop iconApple Spaces Icon

    mDesktop VS Apple Spaces

    Is mDesktop a good alternative to Apple Spaces?
     
  12. Sawfish icon
    Sawfish icon

    Sawfish

     3 likes
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    Sawfish is an extensible window manager using a Lisp-based scripting language. Its policy is very minimal compared to most window managers. Its aim is simply to manage windows in the most flexible and attractive manner possible.

    53 Sawfish alternatives
    Sawfish screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux

    Sawfish Features

    1.  Support for scripting
    Sawfish iconApple Spaces Icon

    Sawfish VS Apple Spaces

    Is Sawfish a good alternative to Apple Spaces?
     
  13. GiMeSpace Desktop Extender icon
    GiMeSpace Desktop Extender icon

    GiMeSpace Desktop Extender

     16 likes
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    GiMeSpace Desktop Extenders are scrolling virtual desktop managers and the only virtual desktop/window managers that give you seamless unlimited desktop space. New since version 2 is that you can now also resize your windows without any limitations.

    14 GiMeSpace Desktop Extender alternatives
    Demo of 3D version

    License model

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows

    GiMeSpace Desktop Extender Features

    1.  Support for Multiple Monitors
    Options
    Help
    GiMeSpace Desktop Extender iconApple Spaces Icon

    GiMeSpace Desktop Extender VS Apple Spaces

    Is this a good alternative to Apple Spaces?
     
  14. maComfort icon
    maComfort icon

    maComfort

     3 likes
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    Brings Mac to Windows.

    Makes Windows feel and look like Mac. Enables features like Quicklook (file preview without opening), Spaces (virtual desktops), Active Corners, Mac hotkeys & key combinations and more!.

    4 maComfort alternatives
    maComfort screenshot 1

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows

    maComfort Features

    1.  Support for Hotkeys
    2.  Spaces
    Active Corners
    Mac Key Combinations
    +1
    Spaces (Virtual Desktops)
    maComfort iconApple Spaces Icon

    maComfort VS Apple Spaces

    Is maComfort a good alternative to Apple Spaces?
     
12 of 14 Apple Spaces alternatives