List of the Top 8 Window Managers for Linux in 2025

Your personal assistant is crafted to optimize how you interact with your windows and applications. This all-encompassing, cross-platform window manager and switcher provides a consistent approach to window management across three major operating systems: Windows, MacOS, and Linux. Experience the advantages of a window manager and a switcher harmoniously combined into one application. You can embed any website within a frameless window that stays on top for effortless access. Activate any window on the current display, the primary display, or wherever your mouse cursor is positioned, swiftly transfer windows among monitors, and hide all windows specifically on the active screen. For applications that have multiple windows open, if the desired window disappears and you use the keyboard shortcut again, a notification will inform you that the window is no longer accessible. This feature allows users to quickly target another window using the same keyboard shortcut and suggests assigning a new shortcut for bringing that window to the forefront, which promotes a seamless and efficient workflow. By significantly improving productivity, this solution also enhances the overall user experience when juggling various applications, making it an invaluable tool for multitaskers. Additionally, its intuitive design ensures that users can adapt to its features with minimal learning curve.

Awesome is an advanced window manager for X that boasts remarkable configurability, catering primarily to power users and developers. Renowned for its speed and ability to be easily extended, it is distributed under the GNU GPLv2 license. This window manager is tailored for individuals engaged in daily computing tasks who seek in-depth control over their graphical environment. Indeed, among the software applications frequently employed in everyday usage, window managers rank high alongside web browsers, email clients, and text editors. Users who require significant customization options appreciate the diverse array of tools available for managing their daily workflows. Awesome aspires to bridge the gaps in these tools by offering an adaptable and highly configurable window manager that enriches the user experience. With a strong emphasis on flexibility and individual preferences, Awesome distinguishes itself in the competitive realm of window management solutions, ultimately striving to enhance productivity. Its unique features and capabilities make it a compelling choice for those looking to optimize their computing environment.

i3 is a window manager that employs a tiling methodology and has been developed entirely from scratch. It supports both GNU/Linux and BSD operating systems and is made available as Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) under the BSD license. The design philosophy of i3 is primarily aimed at advanced users and developers. From our experiences with modifying wmii, we set several goals for i3. A primary focus is to ensure the software can be tailored by users with programming skills, even if they are not experts in the complexities of X11. To facilitate this, we are committed to providing detailed documentation that clarifies the logic behind various features and their timing, helping users understand the extensive responsibilities managed by a Window Manager through the source code alone. Additionally, we place significant emphasis on the accurate implementation of multi-monitor configurations, allowing each workspace to be allocated to a separate virtual screen. It is essential to guarantee smooth functionality when connecting or disconnecting new displays, such as video projectors, while also accommodating rotated screens, thereby improving user experience and adaptability across diverse work settings. Ultimately, our vision is to foster a more user-friendly and flexible window management environment that meets the demands of modern users.

bspwm is a tiling window manager that represents windows as leaves within a complete binary tree architecture. It operates exclusively by responding to X events and messages sent through a dedicated communication socket. The tool bspc plays a crucial role in transmitting messages to this socket. Notably, bspwm does not handle keyboard or mouse input directly, which necessitates the use of an external program like sxhkd to translate user actions into bspc commands. Each monitor showcases only the tree that corresponds to the currently active desktop, allowing users to view just one desktop's structure at any given moment. This arrangement effectively partitions a monitor's rectangular space into smaller, rectangular sections that represent different windows. As a result, users can navigate their workspace with great efficiency, fostering a clean and organized environment. This unique design enhances productivity by allowing users to focus on one task at a time without distractions.

IceWM is a window manager tailored for the X Window System, focusing on speed, ease of use, and minimal interference. It comes equipped with a taskbar that includes a pager, offers both global and window-specific keybindings, and utilizes a dynamic menu system to streamline navigation. Users can control application windows using either the keyboard or mouse, enabling actions like minimizing to the taskbar, tray, desktop, or complete hiding. Swift switching between windows is made possible with the Alt+Tab shortcut and a visible window list. There is a selection of customizable focus models available from menus, which enhances user control over their desktop environment. Moreover, IceWM adeptly supports multi-monitor setups via RandR and Xinerama functionality. Its extensive configurability, diverse theming options, and thorough documentation contribute to its attractiveness for users seeking a personalized experience. The manager also features an optional external wallpaper manager that allows for transparency effects, a user-friendly session manager, and a system tray to increase functionality. Additionally, the robust features of IceWM empower users to customize their desktop experience extensively to align with their specific preferences and workflows. Ultimately, IceWM stands out as a versatile choice for those wanting a lightweight yet powerful window management solution.

The runtime configuration is entirely managed through the herbstclient tool, which means the configuration file serves primarily as a startup script. Users can modify their settings, window rules, virtual desktops, and keybindings instantly without needing to restart the window manager, which streamlines the process significantly. Each virtual desktop, known as a tag, consists of a tiling layer and a floating layer; the tiling layer fills the entire screen while floating windows can be positioned anywhere on top. Moreover, all monitors share the same set of tags, allowing users to effortlessly switch the content displayed on two different monitors with a single keystroke. This fluid interaction not only simplifies user adjustments but also boosts multitasking efficiency, thereby significantly enhancing the overall user experience. Ultimately, such a design encourages a more dynamic and responsive computing environment for users.

Boost your efficiency by customizing your workspace to suit your unique working preferences. Maximize your screen real estate by skillfully arranging windows to minimize clutter and distractions. Designing personalized layouts, widgets, and commands is a simple process, enabling you to tailor your environment to your specific needs. Assistance is always accessible when you face obstacles, ensuring you're never alone in your endeavors. Take advantage of the extensive functionalities available to modify the system according to your individual requirements. We are dedicated to providing ongoing support for the latest three releases of CPython, the principal Python interpreter, while generally ensuring compatibility with the most recent stable version of PyPy as well. You can easily access comprehensive details regarding the versions and interpreters we test against through our tox configuration file, which promotes transparency and accessibility to our current standards. This level of adaptability not only enhances your workflow but also inspires ongoing advancement in your coding habits, ultimately leading to greater success in your projects. Moreover, by creating an environment that reflects your style, you’re likely to find renewed motivation and creativity in your work.

In traditional window management, much of your time is often wasted on the monotonous tasks of arranging and finding windows. XMonad streamlines your experience by automating these chores, allowing for a more efficient workflow. It's now been over a year since we introduced XMonad version 0.17.0, which marked a pivotal moment as we began our campaign for funding. The support we've garnered from our community has been nothing short of astounding—thank you to everyone! While we transparently share our financial requirements, it can be tough to stay updated if you're not actively involved in the project. By handling the mundane task of window organization, XMonad allows you to concentrate on what truly matters—your productivity. With the power of Haskell backing us and our dedication to sound programming practices, users can anticipate a smooth, crash-free experience as they work. This method not only boosts productivity but also cultivates a more pleasant computing atmosphere, enhancing the overall user experience significantly.