1
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.
Alternatives
The Best xmonad Alternatives in 2026
24 alternatives4 free · 8 open source
Looking for something like xmonad? Here are 24 alternatives, ranked by how closely they match it on purpose, features and platforms. Of these, 4 are free or have a free plan and 8 are open source.
xmonad provides a dynamically tiling window manager for X11, written and configured in Haskell.
Top picks at a glance
First suggestionWindow Manager IndexThe ArchWiki explains window managers and links to a…Free or freemium optionbackieebackiee provides Windows wallpaper downloads, live…Open source optionBSPWMArrange desktop windows as leaves in a binary tree with…Another optionQtileConfigure Qtile with Python and use its full-featured…
Quick comparison
| # | Alternative | Pricing | Open source | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Window Manager Index | — | Not stated | Web, Windows |
| 2 | Qtile | — | Not stated | Web, Windows |
| 3 | herbstluftwm | — | Not stated | Web, Windows |
| 4 | BSPWM | — | Yes | Windows |
| 5 | awesomewm | — | Not stated | Web |
| 6 | i3wm | — | Yes | Linux |
| 7 | Reference Card | — | Not stated | Web, Windows |
| 8 | dwm | — | Not stated | Web, Windows |
| 9 | Arch Wiki | — | Not stated | Web, Windows |
| 10 | Extension Manager | — | Not stated | Web |
All xmonad alternatives
2
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.
3
herbstluftwm
herbstluftwm.orgAlso covers desktop customization · same kind of website
herbstluftwm arranges windows through a manual tiling window manager for the X window system.
4
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.
5
Also covers desktop customization · same kind of website
Awesome is a highly configurable and extensible window manager for X, described as fast and framework-based.
6
Also covers desktop customization · open source
i3 is a tiling window manager for X11 with documented code and Xinerama support.
7
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.
8
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.
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
Extension Manager
mattjakeman.com/apps/extension-managerAlso covers desktop customization · same kind of website
Extension Manager browses, installs, and manages GNOME Extensions, with search and extension details in the app.
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
Also covers desktop customization · open source
Ironbar is a customizable GTK4 status bar for Wayland, written in Rust.
13
Hyprland
hypr.landAlso covers desktop customization · same kind of website
Hyprland provides dynamic tiling and Wayland features through a compositor with plugin support.
14
Also covers desktop customization · same kind of website · free plan
backiee provides Windows wallpaper downloads, live wallpapers, and interactive widgets.
15
Also covers desktop customization · same kind of website · free
Dynamic Theme updates Windows wallpaper or lock screen images from Bing or Windows Spotlight.
16
Also covers desktop customization · same kind of website
Manage and synchronize dotfiles across multiple machines with chezmoi, which emphasizes secure handling.
17
Also covers desktop customization · same kind of website
dotfiles.github.io explains how dotfiles can help back up, restore, and synchronize preferences and settings.
18
Also covers desktop customization · open source
river separates the Wayland compositor from the window manager, allowing a compatible manager to be chosen.
19
Also covers desktop customization · open source
The awesome project provides a window manager for the desktop with a Lua configuration interface.
20
Also covers desktop customization · open source
labwc provides a Wayland compositor that stacks windows rather than tiling them.
21
Also covers desktop customization · open source
Forge adds window tiling and management controls to the GNOME Shell desktop.
22
Also covers desktop customization · same kind of website · free
Vin Star Theme offers third-party themes for Windows and some Windows software.
23
Also covers desktop customization · same kind of website · open source
FluentFlyout adds media controls and a taskbar widget to Windows 11, with a flyout for playback controls.
24
Also covers desktop customization · same kind of website · free
Sweezy Cursors offers animated cursor designs for Chrome and Windows, including themes drawn from games and anime.
No alternatives match this filter.
Alternatives to similar tools
backiee24 alternativesChezmoi24 alternativesawesomewm24 alternativesDynamic Theme24 alternativesdotfiles24 alternativesWindow Manager Index24 alternatives
What is the best alternative to xmonad?
Based on features, tags and platforms, the closest alternatives to xmonad are Window Manager Index, Qtile, and herbstluftwm.
Is there a free alternative to xmonad?
Yes. backiee, Dynamic Theme, and Modern Style are free or offer a free plan.
Are there open-source alternatives to xmonad?
Yes: BSPWM, i3wm, Iron Bar, and river.
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