IkunaIkuna vs SnapState
Both save and restore full workspaces, tabs included. SnapState also does Spaces and charges $9.99 once (macOS 15.7+). Ikuna runs on macOS 13+, has a free tier, and adds focus analytics and distraction blocking.
SnapState and Ikuna are closer than most pairs on this page: both save a named workspace and restore its apps, window layout, and open browser tabs. The differences are in coverage and everything around the restore. SnapState restores apps and windows onto their saved macOS Spaces (added in version 2.7), triggers restores automatically when displays connect, disconnect, or wake, and keeps workspace data local with no analytics. It costs $9.99 once for up to 3 Macs and requires macOS 15.7. Ikuna restores tabs across more browsers (Safari, the Chromium family, Firefox, and Opera; SnapState lists Safari, Chrome, Arc and more), runs on macOS 13+, syncs workspaces across your Macs through your own iCloud account, and adds a layer SnapState does not have: a Focus Intelligence dashboard, Focus Shield distraction blocking, and Rituals. Ikuna does not restore windows onto Spaces yet. Ikuna's free tier covers 4 workspaces; SnapState has no free tier but offers a 14-day refund. Facts about SnapState come from getsnapstate.com, checked 20 October 2026.
Side by side
| Ikuna | SnapState | |
|---|---|---|
| Saves window positions | Yes — exact layout per monitor | Yes — display-aware placement |
| Relaunches closed apps | Yes | Yes |
| Restores all browser tabs | Yes — Safari, Chromium, Firefox, Opera | Yes — Safari, Chrome, Arc, more |
| Restores macOS Spaces | Not yet | Yes — since 2.7 |
| Automatic restore on monitor reconnect | Yes — Device Link (Pro) | Yes — display connect/disconnect/wake |
| Focus analytics dashboard | Yes — context-switch patterns | No |
| Distraction blocking | Yes — Focus Shield | No |
| Rituals (wallpaper, sound cue) | Yes | No |
| iCloud sync across Macs | Yes — private iCloud, since v1.1 | Not advertised (local only) |
| Mobile continuity | Trigger (iPhone) — on the App Store | No |
| Pricing | Free tier · Pro €9/mo | $9.99 one-time (3 Macs, 14-day refund) |
| macOS requirement | 13+ | 15.7+ |
Where Ikuna has the advantage
Free tier and a lower macOS floor
Ikuna runs on macOS 13 and above, and its free plan saves and restores up to 4 workspaces with no card required. SnapState requires macOS 15.7 and $9.99 up front (with a 14-day refund).
Firefox and Opera tab restore
SnapState advertises tab restore for Safari, Chrome, Arc and more. Ikuna restores every open tab in Safari, the Chromium family, Firefox, and Opera.
A focus layer on top of restore
Ikuna's Focus Intelligence dashboard shows your context-switching patterns, and Focus Shield blocks distracting apps per workspace. SnapState is restore-only, with no analytics or blocking.
iCloud sync across Macs
Ikuna syncs workspaces between your Macs through your own private iCloud account (since v1.1). SnapState keeps workspace data local to one Mac.
Where SnapState has the advantage
Restores macOS Spaces
Since version 2.7, SnapState puts apps and windows back onto the Space they were saved on, including full-screen windows. Ikuna restores across physical displays but does not place windows onto virtual desktops yet.
Automatic triggers for display changes
SnapState can restore a workspace automatically when displays connect, disconnect, or wake from sleep. Ikuna's Device Link covers monitor reconnects (Pro); everything else is manual or shortcut-driven.
One-time price, local-only privacy
SnapState is $9.99 once for up to 3 Macs, and it collects nothing — workspace data stays local. Ikuna Pro is a subscription, and its limited product telemetry can be switched off fully in Settings, but it is not zero by default.
The bottom line
SnapState is no longer the lightweight active-tab tool it launched as: it now restores apps, windows, all open tabs, and Spaces, for a one-time $9.99. On macOS 15.7+ with exactly that need, it is a fair pick. Ikuna answers a bigger brief: more browsers, a lower macOS floor, iCloud sync, a permanent free tier, and a focus layer (analytics, distraction blocking, rituals) on top of the restore. The honest gap on our side is Spaces — SnapState has it, Ikuna does not yet.
Frequently asked questions
Does SnapState restore all my browser tabs?
Yes, for the browsers it supports — its site lists Safari, Chrome, Arc and more. This changed in 2026: earlier versions saved only the active tab per window. Ikuna restores every open tab in Safari, the Chromium family, Firefox, and Opera.
Does SnapState restore macOS Spaces?
Yes. Since version 2.7, SnapState restores windows onto the Space they were saved on, including full-screen windows. Ikuna does not restore onto Spaces yet — it restores apps, tabs, and window positions across physical displays.
Is SnapState or Ikuna better value?
SnapState is $9.99 once for up to 3 Macs — strong value for layout, tabs, and Spaces restore. Ikuna's free tier restores full contexts, tabs included, for up to 4 workspaces at €0, and Pro (€9/month) adds the focus analytics, Focus Shield, and Rituals layer SnapState does not have.
Does SnapState work on macOS 13 or 14?
No. SnapState requires macOS 15.7 or later. Ikuna supports macOS 13 and above.