I switched to a Mac from a Windows PC several years ago, and I haven't looked back since. Apart from a few quirks and niggles here and there, macOS is arguably more stable, has fewer issues, and is a treat to use compared to Windows -- at least for the ordinary person. That said, there are times when I simply don't understand why a certain feature is missing from a full-fledged desktop operating system focused on productivity. One of them is the ability to snap windows to create a more cohesive workflow. On Windows, you can use FancyZones to create virtual zones where apps can snap into when multitasking. Unfortunately, there's no such feature on macOS.

As a matter of fact, Apple only recently added the ability to snap app instances to either half or the four corners of the screen. Until then, one had to use a third-party app to achieve it. While the native snap tool now works well on my MacBook, it doesn't have any sort of customization. So, you're stuck with a few layouts that may not be useful to power users. Thankfully, there's now a third-party solution that brings the exact functionality of FancyZones to macOS, and it's called MacsyZones. I've been using it on my MacBook for a few days now, and I absolutely love the added functionality.

Extremely lightweight and simple

Works just as an overlay

Installing MacsyZones is like setting up any other app on your Mac. However, you will have to grant the app the relevant permission to make changes to your computer. Once it's up and running, MacsyZones stays persistent in the menu bar at the top of the screen. That's the only way to access the app's settings, as there's no other GUI. When you access the settings for the first time, you may be intimidated by the long list of options. However, the only section you need to focus on is the Layouts tab right at the top. This is where you can create multiple custom layouts to snap windows automatically.

Hit the '+' icon and name your layout. Then, you will see the option to drag, resize, and place your windows wherever you feel like. You can create as many windows as you want, depending on your use case and the size of the screen. Once done, save the layout. Then, make a note of the snap key mentioned in the app's menu. This is the key you need to use every time you want to snap a window onto a certain section of the screen. Now that the basic setup is complete, it's all about executing the arrangement.

Organize your windows as per your workflow

Manually adjust the size of each app

To organize your windows as per the selected layout, all you have to do is hold on to a window with your mouse cursor and press the designated snap key using your keyboard. You will then see the assigned regions on the screen with corresponding numbers dedicated to each section. Drag the window to the section of your choice depending on how you want to resize it. Once you let go of the mouse cursor, you'll see that the app snaps into the assigned size and shape.

The beauty of MacsyZones is that the defined regions for the windows need not be symmetric. For example, the default snapping tool on macOS only snaps apps to one half of the screen or splits the screen into four equal quadrants. However, with MacsZones, you can set one window to be smaller than the rest, one window that occupies 75% of the screen, with three smaller windows taking up the remaining 25%. The choice is completely yours. Once you've arranged your windows, you can also make modifications using the assigned modifier key. Press and hold the key on your keyboard and drag the sliders on each section until you have achieved the desired result.

Once you start using MacsyZones, you can see how it brings about a massive upgrade to your productivity, since it eases out the workflow for a lot of users.

Why didn't I discover this earlier?

Since I spend the majority of my time online every single day, using multiple browser instances and apps isn't uncommon for my type of usage. In fact, I refer to several sources when writing certain articles, which requires me to open multiple windows simultaneously. More importantly, all of these windows need not be of the same size, since one may have a larger information density than the other. Owing to this, an app like MacsyZones has made my life a lot easier, since I can define the space I want to allot to each window, and then simply drag the corresponding window to that position. If you use a secondary monitor, you will certainly appreciate this feature more.