1
picom
github.com/yshui/picomAlso covers desktop customization
picom composites desktop windows on X11 and includes support for animation effects.
Alternatives
The Best Docs Alternatives in 2026
24 alternatives2 free · 5 open source
Looking for something like Docs? Here are 24 alternatives, ranked by how closely they match it on purpose, features and platforms. Of these, 2 are free or have a free plan and 5 are open source.
The picom manual documents compositor options, window rules, animations, configuration, and examples.
Top picks at a glance
First suggestionpicompicom composites desktop windows on X11 and includes…Free or freemium optionbackieebackiee provides Windows wallpaper downloads, live…Open source optionPolybar (X11)Polybar provides a desktop status bar with configuration…Another optionherbstluftwmherbstluftwm arranges windows through a manual tiling…
Quick comparison
| # | Alternative | Pricing | Open source | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | picom | — | Not stated | — |
| 2 | herbstluftwm | — | Not stated | Web, Windows |
| 3 | Polybar (X11) | — | Yes | — |
| 4 | Taskbar Tweaker | — | Not stated | Web, Windows |
| 5 | Awesome Wallpaper | — | Not stated | Web, Windows |
| 6 | DualMonitorBackgrounds | — | Not stated | Web |
| 7 | After Dark CSS | — | Not stated | Web |
| 8 | En | — | Not stated | Web |
| 9 | Arch Wiki | — | Not stated | Web, Windows |
| 10 | Wayland Compositor Index | — | Not stated | Web |
All Docs alternatives
2
herbstluftwm
herbstluftwm.orgAlso covers desktop customization · same kind of website
herbstluftwm arranges windows through a manual tiling window manager for the X window system.
3
Also covers desktop customization · open source
Polybar provides a desktop status bar with configuration options for displaying system information.
4
Taskbar Tweaker
tweaker.ramensoftware.comAlso covers desktop customization · same kind of website
7+ Taskbar Tweaker configures Windows taskbar behavior through a range of customization options.
5
Awesome Wallpaper
awesome-wallpaper.comAlso covers desktop customization · same kind of website
AwesomeWallpaper displays images, animation, video, or system information on a Windows desktop wallpaper.
6
DualMonitorBackgrounds
dualmonitorbackgrounds.comAlso covers desktop customization · same kind of website
Browse and select background images designed to span dual monitors, with resolution options listed on the site.
7
After Dark CSS
bryanbraun.com/after-dark-cssAlso covers desktop customization · same kind of website
After Dark in CSS recreates classic 1990s Mac and PC screensavers using CSS animations and transforms.
8
En
ii.clsty.link/enAlso covers desktop customization · same kind of website
illogical-impulse provides usability-focused dotfiles for Hyprland, with workspace controls and desktop configuration.
9
Arch Wiki
wiki.archlinux.org/title/HyprlandAlso covers desktop customization · same kind of website
Hyprland is a tiling Wayland compositor with dynamic tiling and a custom renderer, documented in the ArchWiki.
10
Wayland Compositor Index
wiki.archlinux.org/title/WaylandAlso covers api and desktop customization · same kind of website
The ArchWiki explains the Wayland display server protocol and links to a compositor comparison.
11
Arch Wiki
wiki.archlinux.org/title/SwayAlso covers desktop customization · same kind of website
Sway is an i3-compatible tiling compositor for Wayland, documented in the ArchWiki.
12
Hyprland
hypr.landAlso covers desktop customization · same kind of website
Hyprland provides dynamic tiling and Wayland features through a compositor with plugin support.
13
Also covers desktop customization · open source
Burn My Windows adds window animations that visually disintegrate windows when they open or close.
14
Hardcode Tray
github.com/bilelmoussaoui/Hardcode-TrayAlso covers desktop customization
Hardcode-Tray detects hardcoded Linux tray icons and replaces them with icons from the selected theme, with an option to revert.
15
Also covers desktop customization · same kind of website · free plan
backiee provides Windows wallpaper downloads, live wallpapers, and interactive widgets.
16
Also covers desktop customization · open source
The awesome project provides a window manager for the desktop with a Lua configuration interface.
17
Elkowar's Wacky Widgets
elkowar.github.io/ewwAlso covers desktop customization
Eww is a Rust widget system for creating custom desktop widgets, including configurations similar to those in AwesomeWM.
18
Also covers desktop customization · same kind of website · free
Dynamic Theme updates Windows wallpaper or lock screen images from Bing or Windows Spotlight.
19
Also covers desktop customization · open source
rice cooker lets users browse and try Hyprland desktop configurations, install a selection, or revert to the original.
20
Mango
github.com/mangowm/mangoAlso covers desktop customization
Mango provides a Wayland compositor built on dwl and includes several window layouts.
21
Also covers api and desktop customization · same kind of website
Awesome is a highly configurable and extensible window manager for X, described as fast and framework-based.
22
Also covers desktop customization · open source
SwayFX extends the Sway compositor with visual effects through changes to its rendering layer.
23
Also covers desktop customization · same kind of website
Manage and synchronize dotfiles across multiple machines with chezmoi, which emphasizes secure handling.
24
Also covers desktop customization · same kind of website
dotfiles.github.io explains how dotfiles can help back up, restore, and synchronize preferences and settings.
No alternatives match this filter.
Alternatives to similar tools
backiee24 alternativesChezmoi24 alternativesDynamic Theme24 alternativesawesomewm24 alternativesdotfiles24 alternativesHardcode Tray24 alternatives
What is the best alternative to Docs?
Based on features, tags and platforms, the closest alternatives to Docs are picom, herbstluftwm, and Polybar (X11).
Is there a free alternative to Docs?
Yes. backiee and Dynamic Theme are free or offer a free plan.
Are there open-source alternatives to Docs?
Yes: Polybar (X11), Burn My Windows, Awesome, and Test Configs.
Alternatives are suggested from the purpose and features described in our listings. Different pages for the same product appear once. Read each description to check whether it fits your task. How we choose alternatives · Suggest an alternative