1
Also covers desktop customization, linux, and open source · same kind of open-source project
Awesome Wayland collects resources related to the Wayland display system.
Alternatives
The Best Polybar (X11) Alternatives in 2026
24 alternatives0 free · 24 open source
Looking for something like Polybar (X11)? Here are 24 alternatives, ranked by how closely they match it on purpose, features and platforms. Of these, 24 are open source.
About Polybar (X11)github.com/polybar/polybar
VisitPolybar provides a desktop status bar with configuration options for displaying system information.
Top picks at a glance
First suggestionAwesome WaylandAwesome Wayland collects resources related to the Wayland…Another optionFetchFetch turns a terminal’s ASCII distribution logo into a…
Quick comparison
| # | Alternative | Pricing | Open source | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Awesome Wayland | — | Yes | — |
| 2 | Fetch | — | Yes | Linux, macOS |
| 3 | Themes | — | Yes | — |
| 4 | Iron Bar | — | Yes | — |
| 5 | Waybar | — | Yes | — |
| 6 | Awesome | — | Yes | — |
| 7 | Test Configs | — | Yes | — |
| 8 | AutoWall | — | Yes | Windows |
| 9 | Variety | — | Yes | Linux |
| 10 | HackBGRT | — | Yes | Linux, Windows |
All Polybar (X11) alternatives
2
Also covers desktop customization, linux, and open source · same kind of open-source project
Fetch turns a terminal’s ASCII distribution logo into a rotating 3D object and displays live system information.
3
Also covers desktop customization, linux, and open source · same kind of open-source project
This repository collects Polybar themes in different styles, colors, and variants for desktop customization.
4
Also covers desktop customization and open source · same kind of open-source project
Ironbar is a customizable GTK4 status bar for Wayland, written in Rust.
5
Also covers desktop customization and open source · same kind of open-source project
Waybar provides a customizable status bar for Wayland compositors such as Sway and wlroots-based environments.
6
Also covers desktop customization and open source · same kind of open-source project
The awesome project provides a window manager for the desktop with a Lua configuration interface.
7
Also covers desktop customization and open source · same kind of open-source project
rice cooker lets users browse and try Hyprland desktop configurations, install a selection, or revert to the original.
8
Also covers desktop customization and open source · same kind of open-source project
AutoWall displays live wallpapers on Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11 using an open-source wallpaper engine.
9
Also covers desktop customization, linux, and open source · same kind of open-source project
Variety automatically downloads and rotates wallpapers on Linux systems.
10
Also covers desktop customization, linux, and open source · same kind of open-source project
HackBGRT changes the startup logo displayed by UEFI-based Windows systems.
11
Also covers desktop customization and open source · same kind of open-source project
This repository curates web pages, apps, and portfolios that resemble desktop operating systems.
12
Also covers desktop customization and open source · same kind of open-source project
MacType improves Windows font rendering through an application that changes how text appears across the system.
13
Also covers desktop customization and open source · same kind of open-source project
SecureUxTheme patches Windows theme verification in memory to allow unsigned styles without modifying system files.
14
Also covers desktop customization, linux, and open source · same kind of open-source project
Arc provides a flat GTK theme with transparent elements for desktop shells and applications.
15
Also covers desktop customization, linux, and open source · same kind of open-source project
This repository contains the source for wearewaylandnow.com, an opinionated site about the Wayland desktop environment.
16
Also covers desktop customization, linux, and open source · same kind of open-source project
Awesome Linux Ricing collects themes, tools, and applications for customizing Linux desktops.
17
Also covers desktop customization, linux, and open source · same kind of open-source project
Apply Ant, a flat visual theme for GNOME and other GTK-based desktop environments.
18
Also covers desktop customization, linux, and open source · same kind of open-source project
Forge adds window tiling and management controls to the GNOME Shell desktop.
19
Also covers desktop customization, linux, and open source · same kind of open-source project
AeroThemePlasma offers a KDE Plasma shell with a design based on the Windows 7 desktop.
20
Also covers desktop customization, linux, and open source · same kind of open-source project
Waywallen manages dynamic wallpapers on Linux desktops, according to its project description.
21
Also covers desktop customization, linux, and open source · same kind of open-source project
Hidamari lets Linux users set videos as wallpaper backgrounds on their desktop.
22
Also covers desktop customization, linux, and open source · same kind of open-source project
nwg-look edits GTK settings for desktop environments using the wlroots Wayland environment.
23
Also covers desktop customization, linux, and open source · same kind of open-source project
This repository collects aesthetic wallpapers for desktop backgrounds.
24
Also covers desktop customization, linux, and open source · same kind of open-source project
Pokemon-Terminal provides Pokémon-themed terminal themes, with topics listing shells and terminals including Bash and iTerm2.
No alternatives match this filter.
Alternatives to similar tools
Arc24 alternativesWearewaylandnow24 alternativesPokemon Terminal24 alternativesThemes24 alternativesAwesome Wayland24 alternativesAwesome24 alternatives
What is the best alternative to Polybar (X11)?
Based on features, tags and platforms, the closest alternatives to Polybar (X11) are Awesome Wayland, Fetch, and Themes.
Are there open-source alternatives to Polybar (X11)?
Yes: Awesome Wayland, Fetch, Themes, and Iron Bar.
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