Compare
TileMyMac vs PaperWM.spoon
PaperWM.spoon is a free, open-source scrolling window manager for macOS, built as a Spoon for Hammerspoon and set up in Lua. TileMyMac uses the same scrolling idea, and you set it up by clicking.
How they differ
Both work the same basic way: windows sit side by side in a row, and you slide along the row to reach the ones past the edge of your screen. If you like that idea, either one will feel right.
PaperWM.spoon does a lot, and it's free and open source (MIT). It's actively maintained, and its README covers trackpad swipes, stacked columns, mouse dragging and scrolling, rules for which apps and screens it manages, and per-app window widths. If you already use Hammerspoon and enjoy Lua, it fits right in.
The catch is setup. You install Hammerspoon, clone the Spoon into ~/.hammerspoon/Spoons, and write your config and hotkeys in Lua in ~/.hammerspoon/init.lua. Its README also asks you to change two Mission Control settings by hand, and to arrange your displays vertically so windows don't bleed onto the next screen. There's no settings window or guided setup.
TileMyMac is one app you download. Everything is set in a settings window, with no config files, and a guided setup on first launch lets you practise the shortcuts for real. You also get a Shortcuts list in the menu bar, Check for Updates, email support and a 7-day money-back guarantee.
Side by side
| Feature | TileMyMac | PaperWM.spoon |
|---|---|---|
| How it arranges windows | Scrolling: every window takes the next spot in a row | Scrolling too: windows sit side by side in a row you slide along |
| Price | $19.99 once | Free and open source (MIT) |
| Setup | A settings window. No files to edit | Install Hammerspoon, add the Spoon, then write a Lua config in ~/.hammerspoon/init.lua. No settings window |
| First launch | A guided setup that checks your Mac's settings and has you practise the shortcuts for real | You change two Mission Control settings by hand, as its README explains |
| Shortcuts | Ready to go, with a Shortcuts list in the menu bar | Bound in Lua: use the defaults or set your own |
| Trackpad | Swipe with three or four fingers to slide the row | Swipe with 2, 3 or 4 fingers to scroll; off until you turn it on in Lua |
| Several displays | Each display gets its own row | You can choose which screens it tiles. Its README suggests arranging displays vertically |
| Stacks | Stack windows in one column, or show a stack as tabs | Stacked columns: split evenly, or an accordion that keeps title bars visible |
| Workspaces | Up to 9 workspaces, each its own row of windows | Uses Mission Control Spaces, with shortcuts to switch and move windows |
| Canvas layout | One long desk where windows keep their own size (new in 0.2.0) | Not mentioned in its README |
| Mac Setup check | Finds missing permissions and settings, with Fix buttons (new in 0.2.0) | Not mentioned in its README |
| Updates | Check for Updates in the menu bar, with notes on the /updates page | Installed with git or SpoonInstall |
| Support | Email support. 7-day money-back guarantee | An open-source project on GitHub, with contributions welcome |
| Status | New (version 0.1.0), with free updates | Actively maintained, last updated October 2026 |
Who should pick which
Pick PaperWM.spoon if you enjoy tinkering with Lua and want free and open source. Pick TileMyMac if you want it to just work with no config files.
Pick PaperWM.spoon if
- You already use Hammerspoon, or enjoy writing your setup in Lua.
- You want a free, open-source tool you can read and change.
- You want fine control, like per-app widths and rules for which windows it manages.
Pick TileMyMac if
- You'd rather click through a settings window than edit a config file.
- You want a guided setup that teaches you the shortcuts.
- You'd like each display to get its own row, with no need to rearrange them.
- You want updates in the app, email support and a money-back guarantee.
Questions
Is TileMyMac based on PaperWM.spoon?
No. TileMyMac's window engine is Paneru, a separate open-source project (MIT). Paneru's README says it was inspired by niri and PaperWM.spoon, so the idea is the same, but TileMyMac doesn't need Hammerspoon or Lua.
Why pay for TileMyMac when PaperWM.spoon is free?
You don't have to. If you like Hammerspoon and Lua, PaperWM.spoon is a great free choice. TileMyMac is a one-time purchase for people who want a settings window instead of config files, a guided setup, updates and email support.
Can I use my PaperWM.spoon config in TileMyMac?
No. TileMyMac doesn't read Lua, so there's nothing to import. Setup takes about a minute in the settings window.
Should I run PaperWM.spoon and TileMyMac together?
We'd suggest picking one. Both move and resize your windows, so running them side by side can make windows jump between two layouts.
Try the row right on our home page: see how TileMyMac works.
Get TileMyMacSources: PaperWM.spoon on GitHub, PaperWM.spoon README, Hammerspoon, Paneru on GitHub. Something out of date? Tell us and we'll fix it.