bemenu review
An open-source, keyboard-driven menu and program launcher with curses, X11 and Wayland backends.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
For people who want a keyboard-driven way to filter menu items or launch programs, bemenu is an open-source menu library and client program. It is inspired by dmenu and is intended as a lightweight launcher or menu interface, rather than a hosted productivity application. Its interactive filtering and selection provide the core experience, while bemenu-run handles program launching. That makes it a focused option for users who want to work with selectable entries and programs through a menu.
The choice of backend is a notable part of bemenu’s scope: it provides curses, X11 and Wayland backends. The project can be built on Linux and macOS, with platform-specific dependencies and installation instructions documented in its repository. Multi-selection adds flexibility when a menu needs to return more than one item. Keyboard bindings are configurable, including Vim bindings, and environment variables can be used for configuration. These features suit users who prefer to tailor a compact launcher to their existing keyboard habits and environment.
Bemenu is open source, with no official paid plans described. Its documented strengths are concentrated in interactive menus and launching programs; it is not positioned around general local-file search, workflow support or a plugin framework. That distinction matters for buyers comparing launchers: choose bemenu when backend choice, configurable keyboard input and a minimal menu are the priorities. Look elsewhere if the central need is finding files or building workflows inside the launcher. Its appeal is the directness of that narrower role, rather than breadth across launcher features.
bemenu pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Interactive filtering, item selection and multi-selection
- Launches programs through bemenu-run
- Offers curses, X11 and Wayland backends
- Where it doesn't
- Its documented launch focus is menu items and programs, not file search
- Does not include workflow support
- Does not include plugin support
bemenu fact sheet, pricing and score →
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.
Last updated · How we research and update