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Head-to-head · Window Management Software

Hyprland vs XMonad

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Hyprland #3 in Window Management Software 9.2/10 Open source ✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Hyprland
XMonad #5 in Window Management Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit XMonad

Hyprland leads on 0 checks, XMonad on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 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 XMonad
  • Most featuresHyprland · 3 of 4

Hyprland scores higher on our rubric for window management software: 9.2 against 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #5.

Hyprland is the better fit for linux users seeking dynamic tiling and plugins. XMonad is the better fit for linux users wanting extensible Haskell layouts.

  • Hyprland fits best

    Linux users seeking dynamic tiling and plugins

  • XMonad fits best

    Linux users wanting extensible Haskell layouts

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Side by side

Feature Hyprland 9.2/10 Visit ↗ XMonad 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 9.0
Ranking #3 in Window Management Software #5 in Window Management Software
Best for Linux users seeking dynamic tiling and plugins Linux users wanting extensible Haskell layouts
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 · XMonad 2/4
Layout presets Not checked yet Not checked yet
Application rules ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Window grouping ✓ ✓
Virtual desktop controls ✓ ✓
Specs
Platforms linux linux
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.
  • Configurable Haskell layouts can vary by virtual workspace.
  • Supports floating, tabbed, decorated, and automatically tiled windows.
  • Reload configuration on the fly; extend it with xmonad-contrib.
Cons
  • Requires users to build and configure their own desktop environment.
  • Limited to Linux.
  • It is a compositor, not a complete desktop environment.
  • Configuration in Haskell is a poor fit for users who want a graphical editor.
  • Designed for X11, not a general-purpose window manager across platforms.
  • Multi-monitor support relies on Xinerama.
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 →

XMonad is a dynamically tiling window manager for X11, written and configured in Haskell. It is aimed at Linux users who want predictable, keyboard-driven control and are comfortable shaping their desktop through configuration. Windows can…

Read the review →
  1. HyprlandWindow Management Software 9.2Open source
  2. XMonadWindow Management Software 9.0Free 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.

  • XMonad — where it wins

    • Configurable Haskell layouts can vary by virtual workspace.
    • Supports floating, tabbed, decorated, and automatically tiled windows.
    • Reload configuration on the fly; extend it with xmonad-contrib.

    Where it doesn't

    • Configuration in Haskell is a poor fit for users who want a graphical editor.
    • Designed for X11, not a general-purpose window manager across platforms.
    • Multi-monitor support relies on Xinerama.

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