awesome

At a glance

• Editor score
  9.1 / 10
• Pricing
  Free plan
• Best for
  Linux users who want Lua customization
• Free plan
  Yes
• Paid from
  Free
• Layout presets
  Yes
• Facts checked
  19 Sep 2026

• 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.

Our verdict on awesome

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 per-screen tags. Named tags help organize windows, while application-based rules can define placement, sizing, fullscreen, and floating properties. Its intended audience is power users and developers comfortable shaping their graphical environment rather than relying on a fixed desktop workflow.

Lua is central to awesome’s configuration and extensibility, giving users a way to tailor layouts, rules, widgets, and status bars. The project also supports integrations and standards including XCB, D-Bus, and Freedesktop specifications. This makes it a fit for people who want window management to be adaptable and scriptable, while the same emphasis on configuration may be a drawback for anyone looking for a simple, mostly graphical setup. Packages are available through Linux and BSD distributions, and the project supports building from source.

The project describes awesome as a window manager for X, so buyers seeking a broader desktop environment or a solution beyond that platform should look elsewhere. According to the project’s site, version 4.3 is the latest stable release and is dated 28 January 2019; development versions are also provided. With no paid tier in its open-source model, awesome is best suited to Linux users willing to configure their environment in Lua and work with X. Those who prefer a turnkey window manager or do not want to maintain custom configuration are less likely to find it a fit.

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awesome pricing

awesome fact sheet

awesome integrations

awesome lists 4 integrations on its own site.

• Lua
• XCB
• D-Bus
• Freedesktop standards

Alternatives to awesome

• i3A configurable X11 window manager for Linux users who want precise tiling and workspace control.9.4
• SwayA free, open-source Wayland compositor for configurable window layouts and i3 users.9.3
• HyprlandA flexible Linux building block for users who want to configure their own desktop.9.2

See all awesome alternatives →

awesome vs the competition

• Aawesome vs i3
• Aawesome vs Sway
• Aawesome vs Hyprland
• Aawesome vs XMonad
• ADawesome vs dwm
• AIawesome vs IceWM

Compare awesome with any tool side by side →

Featured on iTechGuides

awesome is listed in our Window Management Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update