Best awesome Alternatives in 2026
The top awesome alternatives are i3, Sway and Hyprland: 15 window management software our editors would look at instead of awesome, in our ranking order.
awesome: A free, open-source X window manager built for keyboard control and deep customization. Where it falls short: designed for x, rather than a general-purpose desktop environment..
Switching from awesome? For most window management software buyers the best awesome alternative is i3, built for linux users wanting configurable tiling.
Why People Look for an awesome Alternative
- 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
Quick Picks by What You Need
All 15 awesome Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forLinux users wanting configurable tiling
- Better than awesome:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 9.1
A configurable X11 window manager for Linux users who want precise tiling and workspace control.
- Window grouping
- Layout presets
- Application rules
9.4/10★★★★★Visit i3 -
Best forLinux users wanting an i3-compatible Wayland option
- Better than awesome:
- Editor score 9.3 vs 9.1
A free, open-source Wayland compositor for configurable window layouts and i3 users.
- Application rules
- Virtual desktop controls
9.3/10★★★★★Visit Sway -
Best forLinux users seeking dynamic tiling and plugins
- Better than awesome:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 9.1
A flexible Linux building block for users who want to configure their own desktop.
- Window grouping
- Application rules
- Virtual desktop controls
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Hyprland -
Best forLinux users wanting extensible Haskell layouts
A free, open-source Linux window manager for keyboard-driven, Haskell-configurable layouts.
- Window grouping
- Virtual desktop controls
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit XMonad -
Best forLinux, OpenBSD, or Solaris users wanting tiling
A focused tiling manager for users comfortable configuring and compiling source code.
- Window grouping
- Application rules
- Virtual desktop controls
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit suckless.org -
Best forLong-established Linux desktop users
A focused Linux window manager with workspaces, rules, themes, and multi-monitor support.
- Window grouping
- Application rules
- Virtual desktop controls
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit IceWM -
Best forLinux users who prefer Python configuration
A free, programmable Linux window manager for users comfortable configuring in Python.
- Window grouping
- Layout presets
- Application rules
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Qtile -
Best forMac users who want scriptable BSP tiling
A free, scriptable macOS utility for BSP tiling and flexible window control.
- Application rules
- Virtual desktop controls
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit yabai -
Best forMac users wanting free tiling with custom layouts
Automatic macOS tiling with configurable layouts, app rules, and keyboard shortcuts.
- Layout presets
- Application rules
- Virtual desktop controls
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Amethyst -
Best forWindows and Mac users needing flexible tiling
A configurable, command-line window manager with free personal use and paid commercial licenses.
- Layout presets
- Application rules
- Virtual desktop controls
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit komorebi -
Best forMac users wanting keyboard-driven tree tiling
A free, open-source macOS window manager built around keyboard-driven tree tiling.
- Application rules
- Virtual desktop controls
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit AeroSpace -
Best forLinux users who want Lisp-configurable window control
StumpWM offers deep window control for Linux users comfortable configuring Common Lisp.
- Window grouping
- Layout presets
- Application rules
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit StumpWM -
Best forLinux users who want scriptable binary-tree tiling
A free, scriptable tiling window manager for Linux users comfortable with shell configuration.
- Application rules
- Virtual desktop controls
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit bspwm -
Best forWindows virtual desktops
A free, open-source desktop switcher for organized Windows workspaces.
- Application rules
- Virtual desktop controls
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit VirtuaWin -
Best forLinux users who like scrollable tiling
A free, open-source Linux compositor built around horizontally scrolling tiled columns.
- Application rules
- Virtual desktop controls
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit niri
awesome Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to awesome?
i3: #1 in our Window Management Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A configurable X11 window manager for Linux users who want precise tiling and workspace control.
Is there a free alternative to awesome?
Yes. i3, Sway, Hyprland, XMonad and dwm have a free plan or a free tier (15 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for awesome alternatives?
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.
How do I switch from awesome?
Export your data from awesome (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel awesome.
How to Switch from awesome
- Export your data from awesome (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel awesome.
awesome vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Platforms | Application rules | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | awesome | Yes | Free | linux | Yes | 9.1 |
| 1 | i3 | Yes | Free | linux | Yes | 9.4 |
| 2 | Sway | Yes | Free | linux | Yes | 9.3 |
| 3 | Hyprland | Free | linux | Yes | 9.2 | |
| 4 | XMonad | Yes | Free | linux | 9.0 | |
| 5 | dwm | Yes | Free | linux, openbsd, solaris | Yes | 8.9 |
| 6 | IceWM | Free | linux | Yes | 8.8 | |
| 7 | Qtile | Yes | Free | linux | Yes | 8.6 |
| 8 | yabai | Yes | Free | macos | Yes | 8.5 |
| 9 | Amethyst | Yes | Free | macos | Yes | 8.4 |
| 10 | komorebi | Yes | $110/user/yr | Windows, macOS | Yes | 8.3 |
| 11 | AeroSpace | Yes | Free | macos | Yes | 8.2 |
| 12 | StumpWM | Free | linux | Yes | 8.1 | |
| 13 | bspwm | Yes | Free | linux | Yes | 8.0 |
| 14 | VirtuaWin | Yes | Free | windows | Yes | 7.9 |
| 15 | niri | Yes | Free | linux | Yes | 7.8 |
Head-to-Head
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update