Sway
Sway: A free, open-source Wayland compositor for configurable window layouts and i3 users. Ranked #2 of 65 in Window Management Software by our editors (9.3/10); pricing: Free plan; best for linux users wanting an i3-compatible Wayland option.
At a glance
- Editor score9.3 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forLinux users wanting an i3-compatible Wayland option
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Facts checked19 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Offers tiling, stacked, tabbed, and floating layouts
- Places matched apps on chosen workspaces or outputs
- Supports i3 configurations and X11 apps through Xwayland
Where it doesn't
- Linux only, so it does not fit cross-platform setups
- Requires familiarity with window-manager configuration
- Not suited to users seeking a graphical window-management interface
Our verdict on Sway
Sway is a tiling Wayland compositor for Linux, designed as a drop-in replacement for the i3 window manager. It is aimed at people who want to arrange application windows with keyboard-driven rules and workspaces rather than rely on a conventional desktop window layout. The project is free and open source, and Sway is distributed through Linux distributions or can be compiled from source.
Its main strength is layout and placement control. Windows can be tiled, stacked, tabbed, or floated; application-matching criteria can direct windows to workspaces or outputs. Named workspaces support switching and movement, and multiple outputs can have workspace placement. Keyboard and mouse bindings provide control, while a scratchpad can temporarily hide and restore windows. For existing i3 users, configuration compatibility may ease a move to a Wayland compositor. Xwayland support also accommodates X11 applications within that environment.
Sway fits Linux users who specifically want a keyboard-oriented tiling compositor and are comfortable working with configuration. Its Wayland, wlroots, Xwayland, and i3 configuration ecosystem is relevant to that choice, but it remains Linux-only and focused on window management rather than broader desktop features. Choose it if configurable layouts, app rules, workspaces, and output placement are central to your setup; look elsewhere if you need a cross-platform window manager or prefer a graphical interface for arranging windows.
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Sway pricing
Sway fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Platforms | linux |
| Maximum displays | Not verified |
| Layout presets | Not verified |
| Application rules | Yes |
| Window grouping | Not verified |
| Virtual desktop controls | Yes |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Linux |
| Integrations | 4 integrations: Wayland, wlroots, Xwayland, i3 configuration |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | swaywm.org |
| Facts checked | 19 Sep 2026 |
Sway integrations
Sway lists 4 integrations on its own site.
- Wayland
- wlroots
- Xwayland
- i3 configuration
Alternatives to Sway
- i3A configurable X11 window manager for Linux users who want precise tiling and workspace control.9.4
- HyprlandA flexible Linux building block for users who want to configure their own desktop.9.2
- awesomeA free, open-source X window manager built for keyboard control and deep customization.9.1
Sway vs the competition
Compare Sway with any tool side by side →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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