1
Also covers desktop customization and git · same kind of website
Awesome is a highly configurable and extensible window manager for X, described as fast and framework-based.
Alternatives
The Best herbstluftwm Alternatives in 2026
24 alternatives0 free · 7 open source
Looking for something like herbstluftwm? Here are 24 alternatives, ranked by how closely they match it on purpose, features and platforms. Of these, 7 are open source.
About herbstluftwmherbstluftwm.org
Visitherbstluftwm arranges windows through a manual tiling window manager for the X window system.
Top picks at a glance
First suggestionawesomewmAwesome is a highly configurable and extensible window…Open source optionFetchFetch turns a terminal’s ASCII distribution logo into a…Another optionArch WikiSway is an i3-compatible tiling compositor for Wayland…
Quick comparison
| # | Alternative | Pricing | Open source | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | awesomewm | — | Not stated | Web |
| 2 | Arch Wiki | — | Not stated | Web |
| 3 | Fetch | — | Not stated | Web |
| 4 | Chezmoi | — | Not stated | Web |
| 5 | Elkowar's Wacky Widgets | — | Not stated | Linux |
| 6 | Fetch | — | Yes | Linux, macOS |
| 7 | Lively | — | Yes | Web, Windows |
| 8 | HydraPaper | — | Not stated | Linux, Web |
| 9 | GUI | — | Yes | Linux, Windows |
| 10 | Qtile | — | Not stated | Web, Windows |
All herbstluftwm alternatives
2
Arch Wiki
wiki.archlinux.org/title/SwayAlso covers desktop customization and git · same kind of website
Sway is an i3-compatible tiling compositor for Wayland, documented in the ArchWiki.
3
Fetch
asdesai.com/p/fetchAlso covers desktop customization and git · same kind of website
Fetch renders a distribution’s ASCII logo as a rotating 3D object alongside live system information.
4
Also covers desktop customization and git · same kind of website
Manage and synchronize dotfiles across multiple machines with chezmoi, which emphasizes secure handling.
5
Elkowar's Wacky Widgets
elkowar.github.io/ewwAlso covers desktop customization and git
Eww is a Rust widget system for creating custom desktop widgets, including configurations similar to those in AwesomeWM.
6
Also covers desktop customization and git · open source
Fetch turns a terminal’s ASCII distribution logo into a rotating 3D object and displays live system information.
7
Also covers desktop customization and git · same kind of website · open source
Lively Wallpaper is free, open-source software for animated desktop wallpapers and screensavers.
8
HydraPaper
hydrapaper.gabmus.orgAlso covers desktop customization and git · same kind of website
HydraPaper manages wallpaper collections and supports multi-monitor setups.
9
Also covers desktop customization and git · open source
Catppuccinifier recolors wallpapers using a command-line or graphical interface on Linux and Windows.
10
Qtile
qtile.orgAlso covers desktop customization · same kind of website
Configure Qtile with Python and use its full-featured tiling window manager for arranging windows.
11
Also covers desktop customization and git · open source
This repository contains the source for wearewaylandnow.com, an opinionated site about the Wayland desktop environment.
12
Also covers desktop customization and git · open source
LWP creates layered parallax wallpapers whose layers move with the mouse cursor.
13
theme.sh
github.com/lemnos/theme.shAlso covers desktop customization and git
theme.sh changes terminal color schemes, with hundreds of themes and support for terminals using OSC color controls.
14
Window Manager Index
wiki.archlinux.org/title/Window_managerAlso covers desktop customization · same kind of website
The ArchWiki explains window managers and links to a comparison of tiling window managers.
15
xmonad
xmonad.orgAlso covers desktop customization · same kind of website
xmonad provides a dynamically tiling window manager for X11, written and configured in Haskell.
16
Docs
picom.appAlso covers desktop customization · same kind of website
The picom manual documents compositor options, window rules, animations, configuration, and examples.
17
Also covers desktop customization · open source
Arrange desktop windows as leaves in a binary tree with bspwm, a tiling window manager that responds to X events.
18
Also covers desktop customization · open source
i3 is a tiling window manager for X11 with documented code and Xinerama support.
19
Reference Card
i3wm.org/docs/refcard.htmlAlso covers desktop customization · same kind of website
This i3 reference card lists keyboard shortcuts for common window manager actions.
20
dwm
dwm.suckless.orgAlso covers desktop customization · same kind of website
Manage windows on X11 with dwm, a dynamic window manager from suckless.org with customization information.
21
UltraUXThemePatcher
mhoefs.eu/software_uxtheme.php?lang=enAlso covers desktop customization · same kind of website
UltraUXThemePatcher modifies Windows system files to enable third-party themes, according to its project page.
22
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.
23
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.
24
ElevenClock
marticliment.com/elevenclockAlso covers desktop customization · same kind of website
Customize the clock displayed on Windows 11 systems with ElevenClock, a free software project.
No alternatives match this filter.
Alternatives to similar tools
Chezmoi24 alternativesawesomewm24 alternativesWearewaylandnow24 alternativesWindow Manager Index24 alternativesArch Wiki24 alternativesHydraPaper24 alternatives
What is the best alternative to herbstluftwm?
Based on features, tags and platforms, the closest alternatives to herbstluftwm are awesomewm, Arch Wiki, and Fetch.
Are there open-source alternatives to herbstluftwm?
Yes: Fetch, Lively, GUI, and Wearewaylandnow.
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