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Head-to-head · Window Management Software

Hyprland vs dwm

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Hyprland #3 in Window Management Software 9.2/10 Open source ✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Hyprland
dwm #6 in Window Management Software 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit suckless.org

Hyprland leads on 0 checks, dwm 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 scoreHyprland · 9.2/10
  • Free planonly dwm

Hyprland scores higher on our rubric for window management software: 9.2 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #6.

Hyprland is the better fit for linux users seeking dynamic tiling and plugins. dwm is the better fit for linux, OpenBSD, or Solaris users wanting tiling.

  • Hyprland fits best

    Linux users seeking dynamic tiling and plugins

  • dwm fits best

    Linux, OpenBSD, or Solaris users wanting tiling

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Side by side

Feature Hyprland 9.2/10 Visit ↗ dwm 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.9
Ranking #3 in Window Management Software #6 in Window Management Software
Best for Linux users seeking dynamic tiling and plugins Linux, OpenBSD, or Solaris users wanting tiling
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Open source Free plan
Free plan Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Linux Linux
Features Hyprland 3/4 · dwm 3/4
Layout presets Not checked yet —
Application rules ✓ ✓
Window grouping ✓ ✓
Virtual desktop controls ✓ ✓
Specs
Platforms linux linux, openbsd, solaris
Maximum displays Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Offers Dwindle, scrolling, master, and monocle layouts.
  • Supports per-workspace settings, special workspaces, and tabbed groups.
  • Includes window and monitor rules, plugins, and socket-based IPC.
  • Offers tiled, monocle, and freely movable floating layouts
  • Uses tags, multi-tag views, and application-specific placement rules
  • Supports Xinerama and RandR multi-monitor controls
Cons
  • Requires users to build and configure their own desktop environment.
  • Limited to Linux.
  • It is a compositor, not a complete desktop environment.
  • Configuration is compiled from source rather than changed in a settings interface
  • Focused on X window management rather than a broad desktop suite
  • Requires comfort building and customizing software
Our verdict

Hyprland is an open-source Wayland compositor for Linux that manages windows with dynamic tiling as well as floating, pseudotiling, and fullscreen modes. It is aimed at people who want to configure their own desktop environment rather than…

Read the review →

dwm is a lightweight dynamic window manager for the X Window System, aimed at Linux, OpenBSD, and Solaris users who want direct control over window placement. Its layouts cover tiled windows arranged in master and stacking areas, a monocle…

Read the review →
  1. HyprlandWindow Management Software 9.2Open source
  2. dwmWindow Management Software 8.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Hyprland — where it wins

    • Offers Dwindle, scrolling, master, and monocle layouts.
    • Supports per-workspace settings, special workspaces, and tabbed groups.
    • Includes window and monitor rules, plugins, and socket-based IPC.

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires users to build and configure their own desktop environment.
    • Limited to Linux.
    • It is a compositor, not a complete desktop environment.

  • dwm — where it wins

    • Offers tiled, monocle, and freely movable floating layouts
    • Uses tags, multi-tag views, and application-specific placement rules
    • Supports Xinerama and RandR multi-monitor controls

    Where it doesn't

    • Configuration is compiled from source rather than changed in a settings interface
    • Focused on X window management rather than a broad desktop suite
    • Requires comfort building and customizing software

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