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Head-to-head · Window Management Software

awesome vs IceWM

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score awesome #4 in Window Management Software 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit awesome
IceWM #7 in Window Management Software 8.8/10 Open source ✓ 3 of 4 features Visit IceWM

awesome leads on 0 checks, IceWM on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreawesome · 9.1/10
  • Free planonly awesome
  • Most featuresawesome · 4 of 4

awesome scores higher on our rubric for window management software: 9.1 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #7.

awesome is the better fit for linux users who want Lua customization. IceWM is the better fit for long-established Linux desktop users.

  • awesome fits best

    Linux users who want Lua customization

  • IceWM fits best

    Long-established Linux desktop users

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Side by side

Feature awesome 9.1/10 Visit ↗ IceWM 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.8
Ranking #4 in Window Management Software #7 in Window Management Software
Best for Linux users who want Lua customization Long-established Linux desktop users
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Open source
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Linux Linux
Features awesome 4/4 · IceWM 3/4
Layout presets ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Application rules ✓ ✓
Window grouping ✓ ✓
Virtual desktop controls ✓ ✓
Specs
Platforms linux linux
Maximum displays Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Offers both tiling and floating layouts, with per-screen tags.
  • Lua configuration supports application rules and fine-grained window control.
  • Includes custom widgets, status bars, and D-Bus support.
  • Per-window rules control placement, size, layers, visibility, and workspaces
  • Configurable workspaces, shortcuts, themes, and focus modes
  • RandR and Xinerama support multi-monitor desktop setups
Cons
  • Designed for X, rather than a general-purpose desktop environment.
  • Lua-based configuration may not suit users seeking a mostly graphical setup.
  • The latest stable release listed by the project is version 4.3, dated 28 January 2019.
  • Designed for X11 rather than a broader desktop environment
  • Documentation is the listed support channel
  • Its scope is window management, not a full desktop suite
Our verdict

For Linux users who want control over how windows are arranged and managed, awesome is a free, open-source window manager for X. It combines tiling and floating layouts with keyboard-driven operation, multiple-screen support, and…

Read the review →

IceWM is a small, fast X11 window manager for Linux, distributed under the GNU LGPL. It is suited to solo users and small teams who want direct control over desktop windows rather than a full desktop environment. Keyboard and mouse…

Read the review →
  1. awesomeWindow Management Software 9.1Free plan
  2. IceWMWindow Management Software 8.8Open source

Strengths and trade-offs

  • awesome — where it wins

    • Offers both tiling and floating layouts, with per-screen tags.
    • Lua configuration supports application rules and fine-grained window control.
    • Includes custom widgets, status bars, and D-Bus support.

    Where it doesn't

    • Designed for X, rather than a general-purpose desktop environment.
    • Lua-based configuration may not suit users seeking a mostly graphical setup.
    • The latest stable release listed by the project is version 4.3, dated 28 January 2019.

  • IceWM — where it wins

    • Per-window rules control placement, size, layers, visibility, and workspaces
    • Configurable workspaces, shortcuts, themes, and focus modes
    • RandR and Xinerama support multi-monitor desktop setups

    Where it doesn't

    • Designed for X11 rather than a broader desktop environment
    • Documentation is the listed support channel
    • Its scope is window management, not a full desktop suite
  • awesome9.1/10 · Free plan

    A free, open-source X window manager built for keyboard control and deep customization.

    Visit awesomeFull verdict →
  • IceWM8.8/10 · Open source

    A focused Linux window manager with workspaces, rules, themes, and multi-monitor support.

    Visit IceWMFull verdict →

More comparisons

All window management software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update