A Moom alternative for Mac with free Saved Layouts
Moom is a deep, configurable window manager. Pivot covers saved layouts and grid placement for free, and adds a shortcut that arranges every window for you.
If you use Moom mainly to save and restore window arrangements, Pivot may cover what you need without a purchase. If you rely on Moom’s custom actions, it probably will not. This page sets out the difference.
What Moom does well
Moom, from Many Tricks, is known for the palette that appears when you hover over a window’s green button. The palette is customizable, and Moom lets you build your own move and resize actions, chain them together, and organize them in folders.
Moom also has an on-screen grid, snap zones you can define yourself, keyboard control for moving and resizing without the mouse, and saved layouts that can target specific apps. At the time of writing, the Many Tricks site lists Moom 4 at $15 with a free trial and a requirement of macOS 10.13 or newer. For people who want to tune every detail, that depth is the point.
How Pivot differs
Pivot has fewer settings and leans on automation.
- Saved Layouts (free). Save the current arrangement, name it, and restore it from the menu bar or with a shortcut. Layouts can restore automatically when a matching display setup returns. See the step-by-step guide.
- Grid (free). Draw the region you want and Pivot moves and resizes the frontmost window to fit it.
- Auto Layout (Pro). One shortcut arranges every open window into a balanced workspace, so there is nothing to set up first.
- Smart Dot (Pro). Drag the point where windows meet to resize the connected group. Rotate, Swap, and Flip rearrange windows while the layout stays intact.
- Infinity Layout (free, beta). Group windows into horizontal zones on one display and scroll between them.
Moom and Pivot side by side
| Feature | Moom | Pivot |
|---|---|---|
| Main idea | A customizable palette and actions you define yourself | One shortcut arranges every open window (Auto Layout, Pro) |
| Saved layouts | Included with the paid app | Free and unlimited, with restore shortcuts |
| Grid placement | On-screen grid | Grid: draw a region and the frontmost window fits it (free) |
| Price | $15 at the time of writing, with a free trial | Free download with a free tier. Pro is a one-time $4.99 beta price (listed at $9.99). |
| System requirements | macOS 10.13 or newer | macOS 14 or later, Apple silicon only |
When Moom is the better choice
- You are on an older macOS. Pivot requires macOS 14 or later on Apple silicon. Moom lists macOS 10.13 or newer.
- You depend on custom actions. Chained actions, folders, and a palette you design yourself are Moom’s strengths. Pivot does not try to match that level of configuration.
- You like the green button palette. It is Moom’s signature control, and Pivot works differently.
- Your Moom setup already works. A tuned set of layouts and shortcuts is worth keeping.
What Pivot costs
Pivot is a free download, and every installation starts with a 5-day Pro trial that needs no payment card. After the trial, Grid, unlimited Saved Layouts, layout restore shortcuts, display-aware auto-restore, and Infinity Layout stay free. Pro adds Auto Layout and Smart Dot. It is a one-time purchase at a beta price of $4.99 (listed at $9.99), with one Mac per license. See what is free and what is Pro.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free alternative to Moom’s saved layouts?
Yes. Pivot’s Saved Layouts are unlimited and remain free after the 5-day Pro trial, including restore shortcuts and display-aware auto-restore.
Does Pivot have a green button palette like Moom?
No. Pivot works from the menu bar and keyboard shortcuts. Grid lets you draw a region for the frontmost window, and Auto Layout arranges every open window at once.
Which Macs does Pivot support?
Pivot requires an Apple silicon Mac running macOS 14 or later. Moom lists macOS 10.13 High Sierra or newer.
Try Saved Layouts in Pivot
Arrange one workspace you rebuild often, save it, and restore it tomorrow. That is enough to tell whether Pivot can replace your current setup.
Download Pivot for macOS ↓Free download. Requires an Apple silicon Mac running macOS 14 or later. No card needed for the trial. Prefer to look first? See the demos on the Pivot page.