In today’s productivity-driven world, Mac users are always looking for ways to optimize their workflows and keep their desktops organized. Whether you’re juggling multiple external monitors or frequently plugging into different setups, maintaining window positions across various screens remains a frustrating problem. Enter the Stay Mac App—a simple, no-frills utility claiming to make window management efficient again. But with macOS improving its own window handling and alternative apps entering the space, one has to ask: Is the Stay app still worth it in 2026?
TLDR: Stay is a solid utility app for Mac users who frequently switch between workstations, use multiple display setups, or like a neatly organized desktop. While it hasn’t changed dramatically in recent years and faces competition from newer apps, its simplicity and reliability make it a worthwhile addition for power users. However, casual users might find macOS’s built-in tools good enough. If you crave better control over window positioning, Stay might be just what you’re looking for.
What Is the Stay App?
Stay is a utility app designed to remember and restore the layout and positioning of windows on your Mac. Developed by Cordless Dog, it has been around for over a decade and gained popularity among users who have complex screen arrangements. Whether it’s keeping your browser tab aligned on Monitor A and your code editor on Monitor B, Stay promises to restore this layout exactly how you left it—every time.
The app stores window configurations and lets you restore them with a click or even automatically on certain events like reconnecting a display. Stay differentiates itself with its simplicity: it runs quietly in the background, requires very little CPU power, and gets the job done without fanfare. It’s particularly useful for:
- Designers switching between external monitor setups
- Coders and developers using dual or triple-monitor arrangements
- Remote workers using MacBooks with variable desk configurations
Why Window Management Is Still a Big Deal in 2026
With each new version of macOS, Apple has introduced marginal improvements to window snapping, full-screen views, and multiple desktop support. In macOS Sequoia, released earlier this year, Apple finally added more flexibility with Stage Manager enhancements and better external display options. But even in 2026, native macOS features often fall short for power users who want their windows positioned precisely where they want, every time.
Apple’s native tools are reactive, while Stay is proactive. Instead of you adjusting windows each time after connecting your monitor, Stay already knows where everything should go and does it instantly.*
Key Features of Stay That Still Matter
Despite its longevity, Stay continues to offer several functionalities that remain relevant even in the evolving macOS ecosystem:
- Window Snapshot: Save and assign window positions to specific screen configurations.
- Auto-Restoration: Automatically repositions windows when a saved screen layout is detected.
- App-Specific Support: Customize which apps are managed and which are left untouched.
- Multiple Display Profiles: Perfect for users switching between home, office, and travel setups.
- Menu Bar Presence: Easy access to restore layouts or adjust settings on the fly.
These small but powerful features can save users several minutes every day, and over time, that adds up to hours of increased productivity each week.
Improvements or Lack Thereof?
Here’s where things get a bit murky. Critics point out that Stay hasn’t been actively updated with flashy new features in the last few years. While it remains dependable, the app interface looks a bit dated in 2026 when compared to sleeker utilities like Moom or Rectangle Pro. The last major update was in early 2025, offering better Apple Silicon support and minor UI tweaks. That said, many users argue that *if it’s not broken, don’t fix it*.
How It Performs on Apple Silicon Macs
Whether you’re running a MacBook Pro M3 Ultra or the compact Mac Mini M2, Stay performs well across the board. It’s lightweight, doesn’t hog memory, and starts up instantly. This is especially appealing for users who hate bloated software that slows down their machine. Stay runs natively on Apple Silicon and can manage window setups between macOS Desktops and Spaces with surprising accuracy.
For example, users who alternate between clamshell mode and open-lid configurations appreciate the app’s ability to intelligently distinguish between screen states and adapt without duplicated windows or misaligned positions.
Alternatives: How Stay Compares in 2026
The window management app market has grown more competitive, and Stay now faces serious alternatives. Here’s how Stay stacks up in 2026:
- Rectangle Pro: Highly customizable with keyboard shortcuts and advanced snapping features but lacks screen profile saving.
- Moom: Offers draggable snap areas and preset window layouts. More visual but can feel cluttered.
- Magnet: Very basic snapping-focused tool, good for minimalist users without external displays.
Stay offers something most of these apps don’t—a persistent memory of your window configurations across *different* monitor environments. For users who move between locations or frequently plug and unplug monitors, Stay still reigns supreme.
Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Use Stay in 2026
Like with all tools, Stay isn’t for everyone. Here’s a breakdown:
You’ll likely love Stay if you:
- Use more than one external monitor
- Frequently switch between work setups
- Want window layouts automatically restored without effort
- Are a stickler for screen organization
You might want to skip it if you:
- Primarily use one monitor or don’t change screen setups often
- Only need basic window snapping or arranging
- Prefer apps with slick modern UIs and animations
Pricing and Value in 2026
Stay is a one-time purchase app, currently priced at around $15 USD. In an age where subscription bloat is real, a single-payment model is refreshing. Considering its niche function, even occasional users may find value if their workflows involve frequently switching monitor configurations. There is also a free trial version available, making it easy to test without commitment.
Final Verdict: Is Stay Still Worth It?
As we move deeper into 2026, the Stay Mac app holds its ground as a reliable, lightweight window manager for media professionals, developers, and remote workers alike. While it might lack the bells and whistles of newer UI-centric apps, it does one thing exceptionally well—remember and restore your workspace settings as if by magic.
If you’re the kind of person who opens 10 apps first thing in the morning and arranges them precisely to get work done, Stay will save you time and sanity. But if your Mac usage is more straightforward, with one monitor and a handful of apps, macOS’s built-in features—especially with Stage Manager—may be sufficient.
Bottom Line: Stay might not be flashy, but it’s functional, dependable, and surprisingly indispensable once you give it a go.