Now the first thing that comes up is what a window manager is. A window manager, in technical terms, can be referred to as software that helps users run different applications on their computers.
To run an application, you need a windows manager. In other words, without a windows manager in your system, the applications will not work properly as windows manager is the software responsible for the appearance of windows while running different applications.
There are various types of Windows Manager, such as Stacking, Tiling, and Dynamic. Stacking Window Managers are also known as Floating Window Managers. All these Windows Managers have different features and requirements and work on different types of Operating Systems.
Best Windows Managers For Linux – Our Pick👌
The default windows manager on Linux is X. It is based on the graphic user interface, and these windows managers help the applications run and display on your device and connect them with a mouse and keyboards.
The basic function of the Windows Manager on Linux is to set and maintain the border, title bar, size of windows, starting of programs, and configuration of the windows.
So, now we are going to talk about various Windows Managers for Linux, so the various windows managers for Linux are as follows:
1. Qtile
Qtile is one of the best Windows Managers for Linux using Python programming. Although compared to other software, this software is not so powerful, the configuration of this software is completely satisfying, and its features completely fulfill the needs of its users.
It is also open-source software. The users can also customize the various settings of the software according to their choice and preferences.
The interface of this software is user-friendly and has basic features; because of these basic features, it is very simple to give commands on this software, and commands can include writing custom layouts and widgets.
Also, the simplicity of this software makes it more favorable for people who are not so technically advanced.
The makers of the software have also provided the option to the users who know Python language to manipulate windows or set up workspaces; they can change the configuration or scripting of the software.
In these cases, the software is well-documented so that the users do not face problems while working n this software. The only problem with this software is that this windows manager is hackable.
2. Ratpoison
For people who prefer to do online documentation of their work, Ratpoison is the most suitable for them as it works smoothly in online documentation.
Also, people with only basic knowledge about windows managers should use this software because it does not have many advanced features making t suitable for such uses.
The interface of the software is quite simple as well as user-friendly. Also, the configuration of the software is not too advanced, so the software does not have many graphics or window decorations; there is a minimum of all these advanced features in this software.
Users enjoy using this software because it allows splitting the windows and opening multiple tabs in a single window, which helps the users do multiple tasks simultaneously without messing up. Also, there are minimum chances of glitches or crashes in the software.
Also, if you are a person who prefers using more keyboard keys than the mouse, then this is the most suitable software for you as it can help you maintain minimum contact with the mouse while using this software; all you need to do is remember the shortcut keys.
Because of these simple and basic features, this software is light-weighted. Also, the users must pay any charges to download or install this software.
3. BSPWM
The users can split their windows, but they cannot multitask because the software allows you to do one task at a time, and when the task is completed properly, it allows you to do the next task.
BSPWM is a type of open-source tiling Windows Manager that is free of cost and light-weighted for users’ convenience. There is a special utility in this software known as Sxhkd. This utility makes this software well-known as well as superior to other software.
The main task of this software is to maintain support with other input devices and enhance their performance so that the users can perform their tasks smoothly. Also, as the software is based on binary space partitioning and binary trees, this utility focuses on the critical binding of the activities of the software.
The other features of this software include an automatic mode in which the users can set the position of the application windows, and the users can also control these windows by making changes in the configuration.
4. Awesome WM – Best window manager for Linux
Awesome WM is one of the best windows managers for Linux. It uses a range of libraries, but it mainly depends on the XCB library. It is a type of tiling windows manager. The programming language that the software uses is Lua. And it is light-weighted as well as open-source software.
Earlier the software was part of DWM software, but then the makers made it into full-fledged software that completely satisfies users’ needs.
Several customization options are available to the users by changing the configuration of the software; the users can also change the basic settings of the software according to their preferences and choices.
The users need not pay any charges to install the software; all they need to do is install it from the package manager. The software interface is a graphical user interface, and people who prefer advanced features and powerful software should opt for this software as it has advanced features and works well on powerful computers.
The software allows the users to open multiple windows on a desktop, and the software also supports D-Bus.
5. Tilix – ubuntu window manager
Tilix has several advanced features and is based on the Gnome interface. Also, it is a type of tiling windows manager.
Along with the option of customizing the features, the users can set the background effects and wallpapers. Also, it provides a huge range of wallpapers for the selection by the users.
The users can also open multiple layouts in a single window using this software. The users also have the option where can work with custom titles as well as custom hyperlinks. The users can install this software from the package manager.
6. Openbox
Openbox is one of the light-weighted software as it will use a maximum of 100 MB of storage on your desktop and will help you work using the software without any glitches and problems.
The software has many advanced features and the option where the users can customize the setting by making changes in the configuration of the software. The basic features of this software are very amazing and understandable for people.
7. XMonad
Along with working smoothly on high-powerful computers, Xmonad works well on less-powerful computers. The configuration of the software is simple, so if the users want to edit the configuration, they can easily customize the software’s settings according to their preferences.
Also, the software’s working is simple and user-friendly, so the users can easily understand and work on the software without facing too many difficulties.
People can also open multiple windows on this software; the software for its working depends on a huge range of libraries.
8. DWM
Suppose you are looking for an older windows manager. In that case, this suits our fit as it is one of the oldest windows managers and has basic features, the features of DWM are simple as well as minimum, and this helps people understand the working of the software.
The application focuses on improving the environment of the software, which will help the users to execute their tasks easily. The features of this software are quite similar to Awesome and XMonad.
DWM stands for ‘Dynamic Windows Manager,’ and compared to other dynamic window managers, it is the most superior of all and is reliable as there are rarely any chances of technical glitches and crashes, so there are no chances of loss of data also.
Because of the basic features, the software does not have the option where the users can customize the desktop background effects, wallpapers, and other settings according to their choices. Hence, they need to work with the default settings of the software. If they want to change the settings of the software, then they will have to do the coding of the software.
Therefore, this software will fit your requirements if you have basic knowledge about windows managers and do not require too advanced features for your work.
9. i3 Windows Manager
i3 Windows Manager is software for which the users need not pay any charges; they just need to follow the pre-decided steps and install the software from the package managers.
The features that distinguish it from other software are that it is manually written, which means that the users can easily change the configuration as well as the settings of the software.
Also, they just need to write plain text, and the configuration will be changed easily. Also, it is an open-source as well as light-weighted software. The software is based on the C programming language, and the makers made this software mainly focusing on Linux users as well as BSD users.
Also, the software is a fast window manager focusing on minimizing the users’ work, so it is most suitable for users who want advanced features in their software. And it also provides the option of setting and changing the themes and the focus modes of the windows managers.
The software has many advanced features, but working on high-powered computers will work smoothly on low-powered computers, making it one of the best windows managers for Linux.
The other advantage of this software is that it does not require LUA for functioning, and since it is based on a data tree structure, the layouts of the windows are flexible and can be changed easily.
10. Spectrwm
Spectrwm is a type of tiling windows manager that is perfect and precise with its working. The software’s settings are quite flexible, which means that the users can change the settings and the configuration of the software according to their needs and requirements.
The configuration of the software can be changed using plain text also. The software has several advanced features also that make the working of the software fast and concise. The advanced features include a quick launch menu, a status bar, and drag-to-float options.
Also, suppose you are an individual who prefers to work with the keyboard rather than the mouse. In that case, this is the most suitable software for you because people who remember the shortcut keys can work using this software without maintaining much contact with the mouse.
The software allows users to customize the features such as the wallpaper, border color, and width according to their choices. It is similar to software such as XMonad and DWM and has several similar features.
11. Enlightenment
Enlightenment’s functioning is quite easy and understandable for users who only have basic knowledge about windows manager and do not know any programming language.
When you install this software, the software has its basic features. Still, while using it, the software regularly asks the users about the size of the status bar, windows size and colors, color combinations, and the desired language helping them to customize the wallpaper and other settings according to their preferences.
These features of this software are quite pleasing as well as appealing to the users. Various options and drop-down menus are available for users to help them easily access the clock, status bar, or volume buttons. The software works in coordination with network managers.
If you prefer to work mostly with the keyboard keys, this software will not be very useful to you because it is mouse-driven.
The software also provides the option of having virtual desktops; the users can easily switch between the virtual desktops and the desktop widget.
Also, the software is open-source and light-weighted, making it suitable for computers that are less powerful or have less battery life.
12. Sway
For using Sway, the users need not pay any charges, which is one of the major reasons this software is well known it has advanced features and is free of charge.
Along with being free, the software is open-source and light-weighted software also. Also, the software works in coordination with Wayland and has features.
Whenever you open any application using this software, the main focus is to maximize the screen coverage of the application on the screen. Still, the software provides the option to the users that they can arrange the size of the window according to their convenience.
And in case you want to do multiple activities at a time, you can also easily open multiple windows using this software. Along with converting a window to a grid, it also provides the option where the users can select the arrangement of the window, which means that they are set vertically, horizontally, or in a stacked arrangement.
The software also follows all the commands of i13 Windows Manager, which makes it superior to other applications. Lastly, this application is more useful if you remember keyboard shortcuts properly.
13. JWM
People with old computers or computers that do not have many advanced features should try this software because this software works the best in less-powerful computers.
JWM stands for ‘Joe’s Window Manager’ and is open-source and light-weighted software. This software works smoothly on less powerful computers because its main focus is to optimize the work on windows, so it uses less space and storage, which is why it works smoothly on computers with basic features.
The software uses several libraries such as libXext and Cairo for its working, but mainly it depends on the Xlib library. All these libraries have different uses and purposes, as the Cairo library is useful for icons and backgrounds; in the same way, some are used for background wallpaper and some for color combinations.
Also, the programming language on which this software is based is C language. This software can be found in most Linux distress and is mostly used in portable PCs.
14. Fluxbox
Fluxbox is one of the best windows managers for Linux as it can work on any system smoothly. The software’s features are advanced and easily understandable by the users so that they do not face any problems while using it.
And the configuration of the software is also very simple. Therefore people who have only basic knowledge about windows managers or are new to the technical world can understand and use this software without facing many difficulties.
Also, it allows the users to change the wallpaper of the Windows easily and has a huge range of windows wallpaper also for the users’ convenience.
The software uses C++ programming language and is licensed to operate under MIT. Also, because of its fast speed and accuracy, it is one of the most preferred Windows Managers for Linux.
But this software will not be of much use if you prefer keyboard keys more than a mouse because this software is mostly mouse-driven.
14. KWin
The unique feature of Kwin has the option of wobbly windows for the users, and it provides a huge range of effects and wallpapers for your desktop background, so you can edit your desktop effects and wallpaper anytime you want. The interface of this software is quite advanced and user-friendly.
Also, the functioning of the software is simple and amazing. The best part about this software is its flexible functioning, which means that the users can change the software configurations without making much effort. Also, the users can adjust the other settings according to their requirements.
15. Musca – Best tiling window managers
Musca is one of the most advanced Windows Managers for Linux. The advanced features include the option of multiple windows at a time. For the user’s convenience, the software allows the addition of different names to the windows and to the multiple tabs that the users can open in the multiple windows.
Also, users can delete these windows according to their choice and requirements if they want. Also, the interface of this software is quite advanced and user-friendly, making the working structure of the software user-friendly and easily understandable for the users.
The option of multiple windows in the application is just like the virtual desktop; therefore, naming the windows and tabs in groups makes it easier for the users to identify them on the virtual desktop. The software can add floating windows automatically also.
The other characteristics of this software are that the basic features of this software are also very simple and do not require advanced knowledge to operate it.
📗FAQ
What are the best window managers for Linux?
In a graphical user interface, a window manager is system software that manages the positioning and appearance of windows inside a windowing system.
Awesome, Xmonad, Fluxbox, DWM, Openbox, Enlightenment, RatPoison, iceWm, JWM, kWin, FVwm, Windowmaker, TWM, BSPWM are some best window managers for Linux.
What is cinnamon for Ubuntu?
Cinnamon is a Linux desktop environment offering cutting-edge revolutionary features and a conventional user interface. The desktop design is comparable to Gnome 2. Gnome Shell’s core technology is comparable.
It provides various features like animation effects, desktop effects, and transparency using composition. Cinnamon also gives a lot of customization features like one can customize the panel, calendar, theme, applets, extensions, etc.
Is XFCE a window manager?
Xfce is a portable and flexible desktop environment built on GTK 3. It comes with a window manager, a file manager, a desktop, and a panel to offer a full user experience.
What is X11 on Linux?
Linux/Unix machines, including those at Thayer, use the remote-display protocol X11. You can use an SSH client to remotely access graphical Linux apps by running an X11 server on your computer.
How do I change the Window Manager in Linux?
You can use the command dpkg-reconfigure followed by an installed display manager to switch your display manager.
You’ll get a screen with options to change your display manager after executing the dpkg-reconfigure command; select ok on the manager you want to use.
Is Gnome shell a window manager?
Gnome shell combines panel items for the panel and window manager. It gives mutter and clutter support. Also, the functions of the Gnome shell can be changed with the help of extensions written in javascript.
Gnome extensions website has these extensions, and users may download them from there. Some extensions can also be found in a GIT repository.
Conclusion on Linux the best window managers
So, these are the different Windows Managers that work suitably for Linux. Therefore, the users can install all these software in their Linux according to their choice and requirements.