dwm
dwm: A focused tiling manager for users comfortable configuring and compiling source code. Ranked #6 of 65 in Window Management Software by our editors (8.9/10); pricing: Free plan; best for linux, OpenBSD, or Solaris users wanting tiling.
At a glance
- Editor score8.9 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forLinux, OpenBSD, or Solaris users wanting tiling
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Layout presetsNo
- Founded2006
- Facts checked19 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Offers tiled, monocle, and freely movable floating layouts
- Uses tags, multi-tag views, and application-specific placement rules
- Supports Xinerama and RandR multi-monitor controls
Where it doesn't
- Configuration is compiled from source rather than changed in a settings interface
- Focused on X window management rather than a broad desktop suite
- Requires comfort building and customizing software
Our verdict on dwm
dwm is a lightweight dynamic window manager for the X Window System, aimed at Linux, OpenBSD, and Solaris users who want direct control over window placement. Its layouts cover tiled windows arranged in master and stacking areas, a monocle view that maximizes windows to the screen, and floating windows that can be moved or resized. Tag-based grouping and multi-tag views give users a way to organize windows without relying only on a single fixed layout. It is free and open source, with a founding year of 2006.
Configuration is the defining trade-off. Rather than offering a conventional settings interface, dwm is configured through source code and compiled. That suits users who are comfortable building and customizing software, but makes it a poor fit for people seeking point-and-click setup. Application rules can match class, instance, and title, allowing windows to be assigned behavior based on those attributes. A configurable status bar can show tags, layout, and window title, while keyboard or mouse controls support window management.
Multi-monitor support uses Xinerama and RandR, with keyboard controls for moving windows between screens. This makes dwm a fit for users who want a compact manager with layout, tagging, rules, and monitor controls tied to the X ecosystem. Choose it if source-level configuration is part of the appeal and its Unix-like platform focus matches your desktop. Choose another option if you need a graphical configuration workflow or a window manager outside the listed platforms.
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dwm pricing
dwm fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Platforms | linux, openbsd, solaris |
| Maximum displays | Not verified |
| Layout presets | No |
| Application rules | Yes |
| Window grouping | Yes |
| Virtual desktop controls | Yes |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Linux |
| Integrations | 3 integrations: Xinerama, RandR, X.Org |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | dwm.suckless.org |
| Facts checked | 19 Sep 2026 |
dwm integrations
dwm lists 3 integrations on its own site.
- Xinerama
- RandR
- X.Org
Alternatives to dwm
- 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
dwm vs the competition
Compare dwm with any tool side by side →
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The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used dwm for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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