TesseraSnapPowerToys is free. Here is what TesseraSnap adds.
FancyZones makes you design zones first. TesseraSnap has 22 placements on keys from install; Pro adds a throw gesture and layouts.
- Built in Rust
- About 2 MB, one process
- Free, no time limit
- Pro $9.99 once, per PC
Left third, from a fresh install
Steps from each tool's own documentation.
FancyZones 5 steps
- Open the editor: Win+Shift+`
- Pick the Columns layout
- Close the editor
- Turn on Override Windows Snap in PowerToys Settings
- Win+← until the window reaches the first zone
TesseraSnap 1 step
- Ctrl+Alt+D
Where TesseraSnap is better
What people install a window manager for, with nothing to set up.
Press again to keep going
A half becomes two thirds, then a third; a third walks across the screen. FancyZones' repeat only changes which zone.
A flick instead of a drag
Hold Ctrl+Alt anywhere over a window and toss it. Nothing in PowerToys' documentation does this.
Your desk, back in place
Layouts move the windows you already have, by shortcut or when you dock or wake. Workspaces relaunches apps, which then jump into place.
- Move & Resize, with undo Hold keys and drag from anywhere in a window; Esc undoes. (Pro)
- One small program One process that only places windows, not a suite of twenty tools.
- Pin Mode and Stash Dock a window beside the rest, or slide it off the edge. (Pro)
Side by side
| PowerToys | TesseraSnap | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free, open source | Free; Pro $9.99 once per PC |
| Placements on keys, no setup | —Design a zone layout first | ✓22 shortcuts on install |
| Press again to change size | —Moves to the next zone | ✓Half → two thirds → third |
| Throw gesture | — | ✓16 targets, keys or a mouse button (Pro) |
| Restore a whole desk | Workspaces relaunches apps | ✓Layouts move open windows, on dock or wake (Pro) |
| Move and resize from inside a window | Grab And Move (preview) | ✓Any keys, Esc undoes (Pro) |
| Draw your own zones | ✓Grid and canvas editor | Ten custom sizes, no editor |
| Always on top | ✓ | —Pin Mode and Stash instead |
| Windows 10 | ✓ | —Windows 11 only |
Stay with PowerToys if
- you want to draw your own zones, overlapping or across monitors
- you rely on Always On Top, Crop And Lock or Window Hopper
- you need Windows 10, open source or no cost at all
Or run both
- Keys don't clash: PowerToys uses Win, TesseraSnap Ctrl+Alt.
- If FancyZones should own dragging, switch off TesseraSnap's snap areas.
- Always On Top and the other tools keep working.
Try it next to PowerToys
Free, no time limit, no account. Every install includes a 7-day Pro trial.
Sources, checked 22 October 2026
PowerToys releases (v0.102.2933.0, 21 October 2026); Microsoft Learn: FancyZones, Workspaces (its FAQ: PowerToys "cannot tell an app to launch to a specific position"), Grab And Move, Window Hopper, Crop And Lock. PowerToys and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. TesseraSnap is not affiliated with Microsoft.