XMonad vs IceWM

XMonad9.0Visit IIceWM8.8Visit

Higher score XMonad #5 in Window Management Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit XMonad

vs

I IceWM #7 in Window Management Software 8.8/10 Open source ✓ 3 of 4 features Visit IceWM

• XMonad fits best

  Linux users wanting extensible Haskell layouts

• IceWM fits best

  Long-established Linux desktop users

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Side by side

Feature	XMonad 9.0/10 Visit ↗	IIceWM 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.0	8.8
Ranking	#5 in Window Management Software	#7 in Window Management Software
Best for	Linux users wanting extensible Haskell layouts	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 XMonad 2/4 · IceWM 3/4
Layout presets	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Application rules	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Window grouping	✓	✓
Virtual desktop controls	✓	✓
Specs
Platforms	linux	linux
Maximum displays	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	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.	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	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.	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	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 →	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 →

Strengths and trade-offs

• 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.

• 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

• XMonad9.0/10 · Free plan

  A free, open-source Linux window manager for keyboard-driven, Haskell-configurable layouts.

  Visit XMonadFull verdict →
• IIceWM8.8/10 · Open source

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

  Visit IceWMFull verdict →