XMonad vs Qtile

XMonad9.0Visit QQtile8.6Visit

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

vs

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

• XMonad fits best

  Linux users wanting extensible Haskell layouts

• Qtile fits best

  Linux users who prefer Python configuration

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Side by side

Feature	XMonad 9.0/10 Visit ↗	QQtile 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.0	8.6
Ranking	#5 in Window Management Software	#8 in Window Management Software
Best for	Linux users wanting extensible Haskell layouts	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 XMonad 2/4 · Qtile 4/4
Layout presets	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
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.	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	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.	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	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 →	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 →

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.

• 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

• XMonad9.0/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit XMonadFull verdict →
• QQtile8.6/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit QtileFull verdict →