Best i3 Alternatives in 2026
The top i3 alternatives are Sway, Hyprland and awesome: 15 window management software our editors would look at instead of i3, in our ranking order.
i3: A configurable X11 window manager for Linux users who want precise tiling and workspace control. Where it falls short: aimed primarily at advanced users and developers.
Switching from i3? For most window management software buyers the best i3 alternative is Sway, built for linux users wanting an i3-compatible Wayland option.
Why People Look for an i3 Alternative
- Aimed primarily at advanced users and developers
- Designed for X11 rather than a broad range of desktop platforms
- Requires configuration to define bindings, app rules, and workspace behavior
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallSway9.3
Linux users wanting an i3-compatible Wayland option
Visit Sway - Best free optionSway9.3
Has a free plan
Visit Sway
All 15 i3 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 an i3-compatible Wayland option
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
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 who want Lua customization
A free, open-source X window manager built for keyboard control and deep customization.
- Window grouping
- Layout presets
- Application rules
9.1/10★★★★★Visit awesome -
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
i3 Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to i3?
Sway: #2 in our Window Management Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.3 out of 10. A free, open-source Wayland compositor for configurable window layouts and i3 users.
Is there a free alternative to i3?
Yes. Sway, Hyprland, awesome, XMonad and dwm have a free plan or a free tier (15 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for i3 alternatives?
Aimed primarily at advanced users and developers; Designed for X11 rather than a broad range of desktop platforms; Requires configuration to define bindings, app rules, and workspace behavior.
How do I switch from i3?
Export your data from i3 (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 i3.
How to Switch from i3
- Export your data from i3 (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 i3.
i3 vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Platforms | Application rules | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | i3 | Yes | Free | linux | Yes | 9.4 |
| 1 | Sway | Yes | Free | linux | Yes | 9.3 |
| 2 | Hyprland | Free | linux | Yes | 9.2 | |
| 3 | awesome | Yes | Free | linux | Yes | 9.1 |
| 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