i3 comparisons
i3 is compared head-to-head with Sway, Hyprland and awesome and more: 7 head-to-heads in Window Management Software, each with the specs and prices we checked.
i3 head-to-head
i3 vs each of them
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Platforms | Layout presets | Application rules | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | i3 | Yes | Free | linux | Yes | Yes | 9.4 |
| 2 | Sway | Yes | Free | linux | Yes | 9.3 | |
| 3 | Hyprland | Free | linux | Yes | 9.2 | ||
| 4 | awesome | Yes | Free | linux | Yes | Yes | 9.1 |
| 5 | XMonad | Yes | Free | linux | 9.0 | ||
| 6 | dwm | Yes | Free | linux, openbsd, solaris | No | Yes | 8.9 |
| 7 | IceWM | Free | linux | Yes | 8.8 | ||
| 8 | Qtile | Yes | Free | linux | Yes | Yes | 8.6 |
Compare i3 with any window manager
These are the matchups our editors wrote up. The compare tool pairs i3 with any other product in Window Management Software — and up to four at once — from the same checked specs.
Compare i3 with any tool side by side →
Every window management software head-to-head →
Our full i3 verdict, pricing and fact sheet →
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.
Compared by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update