The Best Window Management Software in 2026
We researched window management software from official websites, including pricing pages, plan tables, and product documentation. Products are ranked on the category’s core job, value for money, and verified features, helping you compare tools for positioning, resizing, snapping, grouping, and organizing application windows.
Our top picks
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Top ranked
i3#1 of 659.4/10A configurable X11 window manager for Linux users who want precise tiling and workspace control.
Free plan
-
Runner-up
Sway#2 of 659.3/10A free, open-source Wayland compositor for configurable window layouts and i3 users.
Free plan
-
Top-ranked free plan
awesome#4 of 659.1/10A free, open-source X window manager built for keyboard control and deep customization.
Free plan
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
The full ranking 65 tools, best first · page 1 of 2
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Best forLinux users wanting configurable tiling
A configurable X11 window manager for Linux users who want precise tiling and workspace control.
- Window grouping
- Layout presets
- Application rules
9.4/10★★★★★Visit i3 -
Best forLinux users wanting an i3-compatible Wayland option
A free, open-source Wayland compositor for configurable window layouts and i3 users.
- Application rules
- Virtual desktop controls
9.3/10★★★★★Visit Sway -
Best forLinux users seeking dynamic tiling and plugins
A flexible Linux building block for users who want to configure their own desktop.
- Window grouping
- Application rules
- Virtual desktop controls
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Hyprland -
Best forLinux users who want Lua customization
A free, open-source X window manager built for keyboard control and deep customization.
- Window grouping
- Layout presets
- Application rules
9.1/10★★★★★Visit awesome -
Best forLinux users wanting extensible Haskell layouts
A free, open-source Linux window manager for keyboard-driven, Haskell-configurable layouts.
- Window grouping
- Virtual desktop controls
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit XMonad -
Best forLinux, OpenBSD, or Solaris users wanting tiling
A focused tiling manager for users comfortable configuring and compiling source code.
- Window grouping
- Application rules
- Virtual desktop controls
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit suckless.org -
Best forLong-established Linux desktop users
A focused Linux window manager with workspaces, rules, themes, and multi-monitor support.
- Window grouping
- Application rules
- Virtual desktop controls
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit IceWM -
Best forLinux users who prefer Python configuration
A free, programmable Linux window manager for users comfortable configuring in Python.
- Window grouping
- Layout presets
- Application rules
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Qtile -
Best forMac users who want scriptable BSP tiling
A free, scriptable macOS utility for BSP tiling and flexible window control.
- Application rules
- Virtual desktop controls
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit yabai -
Best forMac users wanting free tiling with custom layouts
Automatic macOS tiling with configurable layouts, app rules, and keyboard shortcuts.
- Layout presets
- Application rules
- Virtual desktop controls
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Amethyst -
Best forWindows and Mac users needing flexible tiling
A configurable, command-line window manager with free personal use and paid commercial licenses.
- Layout presets
- Application rules
- Virtual desktop controls
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit komorebi -
Best forMac users wanting keyboard-driven tree tiling
A free, open-source macOS window manager built around keyboard-driven tree tiling.
- Application rules
- Virtual desktop controls
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit AeroSpace -
Best forLinux users who want Lisp-configurable window control
StumpWM offers deep window control for Linux users comfortable configuring Common Lisp.
- Window grouping
- Layout presets
- Application rules
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit StumpWM -
Best forLinux users who want scriptable binary-tree tiling
A free, scriptable tiling window manager for Linux users comfortable with shell configuration.
- Application rules
- Virtual desktop controls
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit bspwm -
Best forWindows virtual desktops
A free, open-source desktop switcher for organized Windows workspaces.
- Application rules
- Virtual desktop controls
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit VirtuaWin -
Best forLinux users who like scrollable tiling
A free, open-source Linux compositor built around horizontally scrolling tiled columns.
- Application rules
- Virtual desktop controls
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit niri -
Best forMac users needing straightforward window snapping
A free Mac window manager with keyboard shortcuts, edge snapping, and flexible tiling.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Rectangle -
Best forLinux users wanting flexible desktop window rules
Openbox offers flexible window rules and virtual desktops in a free Linux window manager.
- Application rules
- Virtual desktop controls
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Openbox -
Best forWindows users focused on virtual desktops
A deep virtual-desktop organizer for Windows, with rules, profiles, plugins, and monitor support.
- Layout presets
- Application rules
- Virtual desktop controls
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit Dexpot -
Best forWindows users wanting free tiling and saved sessions
Free window tiling with customizable layouts, app rules, and saved sessions.
- Layout presets
- Application rules
- Virtual desktop controls
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit bug.n -
Best forWindows users seeking free dynamic tiling
A free Windows tiler with reusable layouts, app rules, and virtual desktops.
- Layout presets
- Application rules
- Virtual desktop controls
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit FancyWM -
Best forWindows users managing multi-monitor setups
A Windows utility for arranging, automating, and managing multi-monitor desktops.
- Layout presets
- Application rules
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit DisplayFusion -
Best forLinux users who prefer manual frame-based tiling
A scriptable, keyboard-oriented window manager built around manually arranged frames.
- Layout presets
- Application rules
- Virtual desktop controls
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit herbstluftwm -
Best forMac users wanting saved layouts and window actions
Moom saves window layouts and adds customizable controls for moving and resizing on Mac.
- Window grouping
- Layout presets
- Application rules
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit Many Tricks -
Best forWindows users arranging windows into custom grids
MaxTo organizes Windows desktops with custom grids, reusable layouts, and app-based placement.
- Layout presets
- Application rules
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit MaxTo -
Best forMac users automating saved window arrangements
Free, open-source window layouts and workspace automation for Mac.
- Window grouping
- Layout presets
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit Setpiece -
Best forUsers seeking a free tiling manager across platforms
A keyboard- and mouse-driven tiler with workspaces, app rules, and editable text configuration.
- Layout presets
- Application rules
- Virtual desktop controls
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit spectrwm -
Best forLinux users wanting grid-based manual tiling
A configurable, scriptable tiling window manager for Linux users who prefer manual control.
- Application rules
- Virtual desktop controls
6.5/10★★★☆☆Visit subtle -
Best forMac and Windows users who prefer grid placement
A one-time purchase for precise grid placement, resizing and multi-monitor workflows.
- Layout presets
6.4/10★★★☆☆Visit Divvy -
Best forMac users who prefer gesture-based window snapping
A one-time-purchase Mac utility for snapping and arranging windows with gestures.
- Virtual desktop controls
6.3/10★★★☆☆Visit Swish -
Best forWindows users wanting snapping and linked resizing
A focused Windows utility for snapping, tiling and resizing adjacent windows together.
6.2/10★★★☆☆Visit AquaSnap -
Best forMac users who want custom snap zones
A free, open-source Mac window manager with saved custom zones and layouts.
- Layout presets
- Virtual desktop controls
6.1/10★★★☆☆Visit MacsyZones -
Best forWindows users wanting free mouse-driven snapping
A free, open-source Windows utility for mouse-driven window control and saved layouts.
- Layout presets
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit AltSnap -
Best forMac users wanting simple snapping
A focused Mac window manager with flexible snapping and a perpetual license.
5.9/10★★★☆☆Visit Magnet -
Best forMac users wanting advanced application switching
A focused Mac switcher for searchable control across apps, windows, tabs, and Spaces.
- Virtual desktop controls
5.8/10★★★☆☆Visit Many Tricks -
Best forWindows users focused on multi-monitor taskbars
A taskbar-first multi-monitor utility with window controls and a one-time price.
5.7/10★★★☆☆Visit Actual Tools -
Best forWindows users needing rules and virtual desktops
A rule-driven Windows manager with virtual desktops, profiles, tiling, and a one-time price.
- Window grouping
- Layout presets
- Application rules
5.6/10★★★☆☆Visit Actual Tools -
Best forLinux users wanting basic tiling and stacking
A free Linux window manager for basic tiling, stacking, workspaces, and multihead use.
- Virtual desktop controls
5.5/10★★★☆☆Visit Bluetile -
Best forMac users who need saved grid-based layouts
Save window layouts and move windows across displays on macOS.
- Layout presets
5.4/10★★★☆☆Visit Lasso -
Best forMac users wanting inexpensive custom snap areas
A paid Mac utility for edge snapping, custom snap areas, and keyboard controls.
5.3/10★★★☆☆Visit BetterSnapTool -
Best forWindows users needing exact window sizes and positions
A free Windows utility for exact window dimensions, positions, and repeatable layouts.
- Window grouping
- Layout presets
- Application rules
5.2/10★★★☆☆Visit Sizer -
Best forMac users wanting basic keyboard placement
A focused, open-source Mac utility for keyboard-based window placement.
5.1/10★★★☆☆Visit ShiftIt -
Best forMac users focused on keyboard app switching
A focused macOS switcher for keyboard-first users who move between apps and windows.
- Virtual desktop controls
5.0/10★★☆☆☆Try Command-Tab Plus -
Best forMac users who need focus and distraction control
A focused macOS dimming utility, not a conventional window-positioning manager.
- Window grouping
4.9/10★★☆☆☆Visit Monocle -
Best forWindows users wanting extra title-bar controls
A focused free utility for adding manual window controls on Windows.
- Virtual desktop controls
4.8/10★★☆☆☆Visit eXtra Buttons -
Best forWindows users wanting simple window movement and resizing
A free, portable Windows utility for mouse-based window movement, resizing, and snapping.
4.7/10★★☆☆☆Visit Corz.org -
Best forMac users wanting lightweight floating browser windows
A focused Mac utility for keeping reference content visible while you work.
4.6/10★★☆☆☆Visit Fenêtre -
Best forMac users wanting distraction-free window focus
A focused macOS utility for reducing visual distraction without rearranging windows.
4.5/10★★☆☆☆Visit HazeOver -
Best forWindows users needing an extended virtual desktop
A focused Windows desktop extender for users who need more workspace on one screen.
- Layout presets
- Virtual desktop controls
4.4/10★★☆☆☆Visit GiMeSpace -
Best forMac users wanting a Windows-like taskbar
A focused way to bring a Windows-like taskbar and Start menu to one Mac.
4.3/10★★☆☆☆Visit WinBar
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Platforms | Layout presets | Application rules | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | i3 | Yes | Free | linux | Yes | Yes | 9.4 |
| 2 | Sway | Yes | Free | linux | Yes | 9.3 | |
| 3 | Hyprland | Free | linux | Yes | 9.2 | ||
| 4 | awesome | Yes | Free | linux | Yes | Yes | 9.1 |
| 5 | XMonad | Yes | Free | linux | 9.0 | ||
| 6 | dwm | Yes | Free | linux, openbsd, solaris | No | Yes | 8.9 |
| 7 | IceWM | Free | linux | Yes | 8.8 | ||
| 8 | Qtile | Yes | Free | linux | Yes | Yes | 8.6 |
| 9 | yabai | Yes | Free | macos | Yes | 8.5 | |
| 10 | Amethyst | Yes | Free | macos | Yes | Yes | 8.4 |
| 11 | komorebi | Yes | $110/user/yr | Windows, macOS | Yes | Yes | 8.3 |
| 12 | AeroSpace | Yes | Free | macos | Yes | 8.2 | |
| 13 | StumpWM | Free | linux | Yes | Yes | 8.1 | |
| 14 | bspwm | Yes | Free | linux | Yes | 8.0 | |
| 15 | VirtuaWin | Yes | Free | windows | Yes | 7.9 | |
| 16 | niri | Yes | Free | linux | Yes | 7.8 | |
| 17 | Rectangle | Yes | Free | macos | No | No | 7.7 |
| 18 | Openbox | Yes | Free | linux | Yes | 7.6 | |
| 19 | Dexpot | Yes | €24.90/device one-time | Windows | Yes | Yes | 7.5 |
| 20 | bug.n | Yes | Free | windows | Yes | Yes | 7.4 |
| 21 | FancyWM | Yes | Free | windows | Yes | Yes | 7.3 |
| 22 | DisplayFusion | Yes | $34 one-time | windows | Yes | Yes | 7.2 |
| 23 | herbstluftwm | Free | linux, macos | Yes | Yes | 7.1 | |
| 24 | Moom | No | $15 one-time | macos | Yes | Yes | 7.0 |
| 25 | MaxTo | No | €29/yr | windows | Yes | Yes | 6.9 |
| 26 | Setpiece (formerly Scene) | Yes | Free | macOS | Yes | No | 6.8 |
| 27 | spectrwm | Yes | Free | linux, macos, windows | Yes | Yes | 6.6 |
| 28 | subtle | Yes | Free | linux | Yes | 6.5 | |
| 29 | Divvy | No | $13.99 one-time | macOS, Windows | Yes | 6.4 | |
| 30 | Swish | No | $16 one-time | macOS | 6.3 | ||
| 31 | AquaSnap | Yes | $29 one-time | Windows | 6.2 | ||
| 32 | MacsyZones | Yes | $7 one-time | macos | Yes | 6.1 | |
| 33 | AltSnap | Yes | Free | windows | Yes | 6.0 | |
| 34 | Magnet | No | macos | 5.9 | |||
| 35 | Witch | No | $14 one-time | macos | 5.8 | ||
| 36 | Actual Multiple Monitors | No | $34.95 one-time | 5.7 | |||
| 37 | Actual Window Manager | No | $59.95 one-time | windows | Yes | Yes | 5.6 |
| 38 | Bluetile | Yes | Free | linux | 5.5 | ||
| 39 | Lasso | No | macOS | Yes | 5.4 | ||
| 40 | BetterSnapTool | No | macos | 5.3 | |||
| 41 | Sizer | Yes | Free | Windows | Yes | Yes | 5.2 |
| 42 | ShiftIt | Free | macos | 5.1 | |||
| 43 | Command-Tab Plus | No | macOS | 5.0 | |||
| 44 | Monocle | No | $14 one-time | macOS | 4.9 | ||
| 45 | eXtra Buttons | Yes | Free | windows | 4.8 | ||
| 46 | KDE Mover-Sizer | Yes | Free | Windows | No | No | 4.7 |
| 47 | Fenêtre | Yes | macos | 4.6 | |||
| 48 | HazeOver | No | macos | 4.5 | |||
| 49 | GiMeSpace Desktop Extender | No | A$23 one-time | windows | Yes | No | 4.4 |
| 50 | WinBar | No | $18.99/device one-time | macos | 4.3 |
Head-to-head All 28 comparisons →
- i3 vs Sway
- i3 vs Hyprland
- i3 vs awesome
- i3 vs XMonad
- i3 vs dwm
- i3 vs IceWM
- i3 vs Qtile
- Sway vs Hyprland
- Sway vs awesome
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How we rank window management software
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update