1
Arch Wiki
wiki.archlinux.org/title/HyprlandAlso covers desktop customization
Hyprland is a tiling Wayland compositor with dynamic tiling and a custom renderer, documented in the ArchWiki.
Alternatives
The Best i3wm Alternatives in 2026
24 alternatives3 free · 3 open source
Looking for something like i3wm? Here are 24 alternatives, ranked by how closely they match it on purpose, features and platforms. Of these, 3 are free or have a free plan and 3 are open source.
i3 is a tiling window manager for X11 with documented code and Xinerama support.
Top picks at a glance
First suggestionArch WikiHyprland is a tiling Wayland compositor with dynamic tiling…Free or freemium optionbackieebackiee provides Windows wallpaper downloads, live…Open source optionBSPWMArrange desktop windows as leaves in a binary tree with…Another optionArch WikiSway is an i3-compatible tiling compositor for Wayland…
Quick comparison
| # | Alternative | Pricing | Open source | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arch Wiki | — | Not stated | Web, Windows |
| 2 | Arch Wiki | — | Not stated | Web |
| 3 | Window Manager Index | — | Not stated | Web, Windows |
| 4 | Qtile | — | Not stated | Web, Windows |
| 5 | xmonad | — | Not stated | Web, Windows |
| 6 | herbstluftwm | — | Not stated | Web, Windows |
| 7 | BSPWM | — | Yes | Windows |
| 8 | awesomewm | — | Not stated | Web |
| 9 | Flexoki | — | Yes | Web |
| 10 | theme.park | — | Not stated | Web |
All i3wm alternatives
2
Arch Wiki
wiki.archlinux.org/title/SwayAlso covers desktop customization
Sway is an i3-compatible tiling compositor for Wayland, documented in the ArchWiki.
3
Window Manager Index
wiki.archlinux.org/title/Window_managerAlso covers desktop customization
The ArchWiki explains window managers and links to a comparison of tiling window managers.
4
Qtile
qtile.orgAlso covers desktop customization
Configure Qtile with Python and use its full-featured tiling window manager for arranging windows.
5
xmonad
xmonad.orgAlso covers desktop customization
xmonad provides a dynamically tiling window manager for X11, written and configured in Haskell.
6
herbstluftwm
herbstluftwm.orgAlso covers desktop customization
herbstluftwm arranges windows through a manual tiling window manager for the X window system.
7
Also covers desktop customization
Arrange desktop windows as leaves in a binary tree with bspwm, a tiling window manager that responds to X events.
8
Also covers api and desktop customization
Awesome is a highly configurable and extensible window manager for X, described as fast and framework-based.
9
Also covers desktop customization
Flexoki offers a color scheme for prose and code, designed for reading and writing on digital screens.
10
theme.park
theme-park.devAlso covers desktop customization
theme.park collects themes and skins for 48 applications, with several installation methods documented.
11
Dracula
draculatheme.comAlso covers desktop customization
Dracula provides a color scheme for code editors, terminal emulators, and other applications.
12
Reference Card
i3wm.org/docs/refcard.htmlAlso covers desktop customization
This i3 reference card lists keyboard shortcuts for common window manager actions.
13
dwm
dwm.suckless.orgAlso covers desktop customization
Manage windows on X11 with dwm, a dynamic window manager from suckless.org with customization information.
14
Hyprland
hypr.landAlso covers desktop customization and linux
Hyprland provides dynamic tiling and Wayland features through a compositor with plugin support.
15
Extension Manager
mattjakeman.com/apps/extension-managerAlso covers desktop customization
Extension Manager browses, installs, and manages GNOME Extensions, with search and extension details in the app.
16
Also covers desktop customization · free plan
backiee provides Windows wallpaper downloads, live wallpapers, and interactive widgets.
17
ScreenPlay
screen-play.appAlso covers desktop customization and linux
ScreenPlay provides live wallpapers, widgets, and screensavers through an open-source app for Windows and macOS.
18
Desktop Environment Comparison
eylenburg.github.io/de_comparison.htmAlso covers desktop customization and linux
This page compares desktop environments for Linux and Unix, with macOS and Windows included for reference.
19
Also covers desktop customization · free
Dynamic Theme updates Windows wallpaper or lock screen images from Bing or Windows Spotlight.
20
Also covers desktop customization and linux
These dotfiles configure Hyprland with a dynamic tiling setup for Arch Linux and Fedora.
21
Also covers desktop customization and linux · free
OpenRGB controls RGB lighting devices without relying on manufacturer software.
22
Wallsync
wallsync.pages.devAlso covers desktop customization and linux
WallSync indexes wallpaper sites for categories such as anime, minimalist, 4K, and live wallpapers.
23
WallSync
roigoatzzz.netlify.appAlso covers desktop customization and linux
WallSync maintains a collection of wallpaper sites, including sources for anime, minimal, 4K, and live wallpapers.
24
WinClassic
winclassic.netAlso covers desktop customization and linux
WinClassic hosts discussions about classic Windows themes, shell customization, and related modifications.
No alternatives match this filter.
Alternatives to similar tools
backiee24 alternativesawesomewm24 alternativesDynamic Theme24 alternativesWindow Manager Index24 alternativesDesktop Environment Comparison24 alternativesArch Wiki24 alternatives
What is the best alternative to i3wm?
Based on features, tags and platforms, the closest alternatives to i3wm are Arch Wiki, Arch Wiki, and Window Manager Index.
Is there a free alternative to i3wm?
Yes. backiee, Dynamic Theme, and OpenRGB are free or offer a free plan.
Are there open-source alternatives to i3wm?
Yes: BSPWM, Flexoki, and Simple Config.
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