herbstluftwm
herbstluftwm: A scriptable, keyboard-oriented window manager built around manually arranged frames. Ranked #23 of 65 in Window Management Software by our editors (7.1/10); pricing: Open source; best for linux users who prefer manual frame-based tiling.
At a glance
- Editor score7.1 / 10
- PricingOpen source
- Best forLinux users who prefer manual frame-based tiling
- Paid fromFree
- Layout presetsYes
- Facts checked19 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Recursively split frames support flexible manual tiling layouts.
- Tags keep independent layouts across virtual desktops.
- Rules, runtime configuration, and saved layouts support tailored workflows.
Where it doesn't
- Manual tiling requires arranging windows rather than relying on automatic placement.
- Documented for X/X11, not Wayland.
- Keyboard-driven controls and herbstclient may not suit users seeking a graphical setup.
Our verdict on herbstluftwm
herbstluftwm is an open-source manual tiling window manager for the X window system, aimed at Unix-like desktop users who want keyboard-oriented, scriptable control. Its core model is a set of persistent frames that users split recursively to arrange tiled windows. Separate floating windows remain available alongside tiled ones, and virtual desktops—called tags—can each keep an independent layout. The product is listed for Linux and macOS, with its documentation describing X/X11. It is a fit for people who want to shape window placement directly, rather than delegate layout decisions to an automatic tiler.
The standout feature is the combination of frame-based layouts and runtime control. Keyboard commands move, resize, and focus windows, while herbstclient allows settings, rules, keybindings, and virtual desktops to be changed without restarting. Application and window-property rules can direct placement or behavior, and layouts can be saved and loaded for reuse. Multi-monitor management is supported, with shared tags across monitors. Together, these capabilities offer a configurable workflow for users comfortable with keyboard operations and a scriptable window manager; they are less suited to someone looking for a primarily graphical, point-and-click approach.
The main trade-off is the manual, X-focused approach. Users arrange frames themselves, so those seeking automatic tiling or a Wayland-documented setup should consider another window manager. Floating windows provide a separate option when a window should not join the tiled layout, but the overall organization still centers on user-directed frames, tags, and rules. Choose herbstluftwm if that control and its reusable layouts match your desktop habits; look elsewhere if you want automatic placement or a documented Wayland workflow.
Your product? Our editors can test herbstluftwm in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
herbstluftwm pricing
herbstluftwm fact sheet
| Free plan | Not verified |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Platforms | linux, macos |
| Maximum displays | Not verified |
| Layout presets | Yes |
| Application rules | Yes |
| Window grouping | Not verified |
| Virtual desktop controls | Yes |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Linux, macOS |
| Pricing | Open source |
| Website | herbstluftwm.org |
| Facts checked | 19 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to herbstluftwm
- 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 herbstluftwm alternatives →
Used herbstluftwm? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used herbstluftwm 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.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
herbstluftwm is listed in our Window Management Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/herbstluftwm/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/herbstluftwm.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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