1. Decide what actually needs to sit side by side
Start from the pair of tasks, not from a number of columns. If a customer's chat is open on the left and an order spreadsheet is open in a separate program on the right, OS-level window placement is the more convenient option. If you're constantly comparing your work Telegram with email or another web service, a split inside Centrio may work better. Both approaches let you keep context visible without constant switching.
Splitting the screen doesn't create an extra account and doesn't change how sign-in works. Two tabs from the same browser profile can show the exact same session. If you need two different accounts on the same service, set up session separation first, and only then work out window placement — otherwise a good-looking layout won't solve the underlying problem.
| Task | Good first option |
|---|---|
| A chat plus an installed program | Windows Snap or macOS Split View |
| Two permanent web services in one window | Centrio Pro split screen |
| A one-off check of a second conversation | Two separate windows |
| Three or four work channels | A multi-zone layout, if your screen is wide enough |
2. Placing two messengers side by side on Windows
On Windows, use Snap window docking. Open the two apps you need, select the first and press Win+Left Arrow. Then select the second and press Win+Right Arrow. On Windows 11, layouts are also available through Win+Z or by hovering over a window's maximize button. The set of available layouts depends on your screen size.
If both services live in the same browser, first pull the tab you need out into its own window. OS-level snapping works with windows: it won't automatically turn two tabs hiding behind each other into two visible panels. Snap settings live under Settings → System → Multitasking.
After placing the windows, check the width of the input field and whether the sender's name is visible. Don't force an exact 50/50 split at all costs — give more space to the conversation with longer messages and less to a reference panel. If an app enforces a minimum width, fall back to a simpler window arrangement.
3. Placing two windows side by side on Mac
On macOS, Split View places two supported windows side by side in a dedicated full-screen space. Open the apps you need and hover over the green window button. Choose full-screen placement on the left or right, then pick the second window. Menu wording differs between macOS versions — look for the Split View options under the green button's menu for your version.
You can drag the divider to change the proportions. To swap out one side, use that window's own menu. Newer versions of macOS also offer tiled window placement on a regular desktop, which is handy when you need other elements to stay visible — don't confuse it with full-screen Split View when following instructions written for your specific system version.
If a window isn't offered as a pairing option, check whether the app supports the mode and try a plain resize instead. For two web services, you'll first need two browser windows. A separate browser profile is only necessary once you want to separate accounts, not just show two pages side by side.
4. On Linux, start with your desktop environment
Window placement on Linux is determined by your desktop environment and its settings. First check what edge-snapping or window-management options are available. Don't blindly carry over Windows shortcuts — in your setup they may already be bound to something else. For a one-off pairing, manually resizing two windows is enough.
For a recurring workflow, settle on which windows you need and the order you open them in. If you're already using a window manager with convenient layouts, a separate split feature may not even be necessary. If it matters that you can carry the same set of web services between different work setups, an in-app layout is worth considering.
Account for a second monitor and display scaling. Your system may offer plenty of physical space, but high pixel density doesn't guarantee that four narrow columns will stay readable. Judge by actual text and field size, not just the resolution listed in your monitor's specs.
5. Turning on split screen in Centrio
In Centrio, split screen divides the web-services area inside a single window. It's a Pro feature. Free lets you work with three services, but the built-in split isn't part of that plan. OS-level placement of separate windows remains a capability of your operating system, independent of this.
Before turning on a layout, add the services you need and finish signing into each one. That way you're setting up an actual working pair, not two sign-in screens. Name each instance clearly — for example, "Telegram — work" and "Mail — orders." If one service is represented by several accounts, checking the name matters even more.
- Open split-screen controls. If the feature is hidden, check the extensions section in settings and enable "Split screen."
- Start with two columns — the simplest layout to test and to use for everyday replies.
- Assign a service to each zone. Confirm the correct accounts are open on the left and on the right.
- Adjust the proportions with the divider, then check how a long message and the reply field read.
- Once the layout works, save the set as a preset so you can return to it without reselecting services.
6. Which layout fits your work
Centrio's supported layouts include two and three columns, a 2×2 grid, and asymmetric arrangements with two zones in one row and one in another. Four zones are useful for a broad overview, but not necessarily comfortable for four parallel conversations. The more panels you have, the less room each conversation gets.
Pick a layout based on the action you're doing. For replying to a customer while checking facts, two large areas work better. For watching queues, a grid can work, and for writing a long message, temporarily go back to a roomier layout. If you find yourself constantly changing the page zoom, you probably have too many panels.
An asymmetric layout helps highlight your main source — for example, a large area for the customer conversation and two smaller ones for an internal channel and email. Don't add another panel just because it fits; each one should have a clear reason to stay on screen.
| Layout | Practical use case | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| 2 columns | Replying to a customer + work context | Do long messages fit |
| 3 columns | Three short-lived streams | Are labels and the input field still visible |
| 2×2 grid | Overview of several channels | Is each zone tall enough |
| Asymmetric | Main conversation + two sources | Is the main area correctly highlighted |
7. Save a preset for a task, not an app
A preset is useful when it brings back a meaningful working situation. "Morning overview" is clearer than "2×2 grid" — it explains why the set exists. Save a separate "Customer replies" preset with two zones for a different situation. The point of a preset is to remove repeated setup, not to pile up dozens of nearly identical variants.
A preset stores the layout and which services are assigned to it. Don't treat it as a saved copy of a conversation, a backup of your accounts, or a guarantee that a specific message will open. What the web client shows is determined by the service itself and the current session. Always check which conversation is actually selected after applying a preset.
Check a preset right after saving it: switch to a different one and back. If you renamed or removed a service, review any presets tied to it. It's a small habit that helps you catch outdated assignments before a work call starts, when there's no time left to rebuild the screen.
8. How to avoid replying in the wrong account
Panels sitting side by side cut down on switching, but they don't remove the need to check the recipient. Before sending, look at the conversation and account name. Be especially careful moving identical templates between work and personal conversations — a familiar keystroke can send text into whichever panel currently has focus.
After clicking into a neighboring panel, first confirm that the correct input field is active. When pasting an order number or address, it's worth reading the pasted text before sending. Don't place two similarly named sessions next to each other without a visual distinction — clear service names matter more here than a decorative theme.
For two conversations within the same account, whether you can open both at once depends on the service itself and how it handles windows. Centrio's split screen positions services, but it doesn't promise to turn any messenger into an interface with two independent internal conversations. For two different accounts, use separate instances of the service.
9. Cramped panels and missing notifications
If a web client switches to a compact view and hides the chat list, first give it more room — this can simply be the site reacting to a narrow width. Try two columns instead of four, maximize the window, and only then adjust the zoom. Zooming out too far hurts readability and increases the chance of a mistake.
If messages are visible but there's no sound, check notification settings separately from the split layout. A service being visible on screen doesn't mean system banners are allowed for it. On the other hand, a service hidden behind another panel isn't necessarily disabled — go by its actual settings and a real test, not by its position on screen.
Run a short working test: read a long message, attach a safe test file, switch focus, minimize the window and come back. If the main scenario feels awkward, reduce the number of zones. A good layout helps you finish a specific task — it doesn't have to use every available zone.
Sources
Product pages checked on September 17, 2026. Prices and plan limits can change; check checkout before paying.
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Free includes up to 3 services. Pro is billed in RUB: 199 ₽ per month or 1,590 ₽ per year. Any illustrative price in another currency is not the billed amount.