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Head-to-head · Window Management Software

awesome vs Qtile

  • 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
Qtile #8 in Window Management Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Qtile

awesome leads on 0 checks, Qtile 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 planboth

awesome scores higher on our rubric for window management software: 9.1 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #8.

awesome is the better fit for linux users who want Lua customization. Qtile is the better fit for linux users who prefer Python configuration.

  • awesome fits best

    Linux users who want Lua customization

  • Qtile fits best

    Linux users who prefer Python configuration

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Side by side

Feature awesome 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Qtile 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.6
Ranking #4 in Window Management Software #8 in Window Management Software
Best for Linux users who want Lua customization Linux users who prefer Python configuration
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Linux Linux
Features awesome 4/4 · Qtile 4/4
Layout presets ✓ ✓
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.
  • Supports tiling and floating layouts on X11 and Wayland
  • Python configuration customizes layouts, widgets, commands, and bindings
  • Includes app rules, window groups, scratchpads, and remote control
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.
  • Requires comfort with Python configuration
  • Targets Linux desktop environments rather than multiple operating systems
  • Its programmable approach may be more than users seeking simple window controls need
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 →

Qtile is a free, open-source window manager for Linux users who want keyboard-driven organization and a programmable desktop. Its configuration is written in Python, so it suits people who prefer to customize their window behavior directly…

Read the review →
  1. awesomeWindow Management Software 9.1Free plan
  2. QtileWindow Management Software 8.6Free plan

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.

  • Qtile — where it wins

    • Supports tiling and floating layouts on X11 and Wayland
    • Python configuration customizes layouts, widgets, commands, and bindings
    • Includes app rules, window groups, scratchpads, and remote control

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires comfort with Python configuration
    • Targets Linux desktop environments rather than multiple operating systems
    • Its programmable approach may be more than users seeking simple window controls need
  • awesome9.1/10 · Free plan

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

    Visit awesomeFull verdict →
  • Qtile8.6/10 · Free plan

    A free, programmable Linux window manager for users comfortable configuring in Python.

    Visit QtileFull 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