The ArchWiki explains window managers and links to a comparison of tiling window managers.
Wayland Compositor Index
The ArchWiki explains the Wayland display server protocol and links to a compositor comparison.
About Wayland Compositor Index
The Wayland Compositor Index is a section of the ArchWiki dedicated to the Wayland display server protocol, the widely established successor to the X Window System. It explains core Wayland concepts, including that display servers using the protocol are called compositors, as they combine display server and compositing window manager functions.
The page provides hardware compatibility guidance, outlining the two main buffer APIs (GBM and EGLStreams) and their support across different GPU vendors, plus instructions for running X11 applications seamlessly via Xwayland. It also hosts a categorized list of available Wayland compositors, sorted by stacking or tiling behavior, with links to each project's official repository or documentation for users looking to evaluate or set up a Wayland desktop environment.
Key features
- Explains Wayland protocol basics and its role as Xorg successor
- Details GPU compatibility requirements for GBM and EGLStreams
- Categorizes Wayland compositors by stacking or tiling type
- Links to official sources for each listed compositor
- Includes guidance for running X11 apps via Xwayland
Best for: It is most useful for Linux desktop users, particularly Arch Linux users, evaluating or setting up Wayland compositors.
Good for
- Curated list of compositors with clear type categorization
- Includes practical hardware compatibility guidance for GPU vendors
- Links directly to official compositor repositories and documentation
- Explains core Wayland concepts for new users
Watch out for
- Some sections are marked as needing expansion
- Content is tailored to the Arch Linux ecosystem with AUR-specific package references
- No user reviews or hands-on testing notes for listed compositors
Wayland Compositor Index at a glance
- Category
- Software & Utilities › Desktop Customization
- Type
- Website
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Platforms
- Web
- Open source
- Not stated
- Language
- English
- Last checked
- Oct 5, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
Wayland Compositor Index alternatives
Tools and sites you could use instead, ranked by how closely they match.
Sway is an i3-compatible tiling compositor for Wayland, documented in the ArchWiki.
Hyprland is a tiling Wayland compositor with dynamic tiling and a custom renderer, documented in the ArchWiki.
dotfiles.github.io explains how dotfiles can help back up, restore, and synchronize preferences and settings.
Pick
24 alternatives
WLED runs an ESP32 web server for controlling NeoPixel and other addressable LED lights.
Hyprland provides dynamic tiling and Wayland features through a compositor with plugin support.
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Wayland Compositor Index FAQ
What is the Wayland Compositor Index?
It is a section of the ArchWiki that covers the Wayland display server protocol and lists available Wayland compositors.
What Wayland compositors are listed?
The index includes stacking and tiling compositors such as Sway, Mutter, KWin, and labwc, with links to their official pages.
What hardware do I need to run Wayland?
You need a compatible display driver and a GPU that supports either the GBM or EGLStreams buffer API, depending on your chosen compositor.
Can I run X11 applications on Wayland?
Yes, Xwayland can be used to run native X11 applications seamlessly on Wayland systems.
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