Compiz AlternativesWindow Managers and other similar apps like Compiz

Compiz is described as 'Compositing manager adding fancy effects to your windows, from drop shadows to awesome desktop effects like the Desktop Cube or the Expo view' and is a very popular Window Manager in the os & utilities category. There are more than 25 alternatives to Compiz for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Mac, Windows, BSD and KDE Plasma apps. The best Compiz alternative is KDE Plasma, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Compiz are Cinnamon, Wayland, Budgie and KWin.

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Alternatives list

  1. KDE Plasma icon
     463 likes
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    Plasma is a cross-device work environment by the KDE Community where trust is put on the user's capacity to best define their own workflow and preferences.

    30 KDE Plasma alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    • KDE Plasma
    • postmarketOS
     
    • KDE Plasma is the most popular Linux alternative to Compiz.

    • KDE Plasma is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Compiz.

    • KDE Plasma is Free and Open SourceCompiz is also Free and Open Source
    • KDE Plasma is CustomizableCompiz is not according to our users
  2. Wayland icon
     34 likes
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    Wayland is a project to define a protocol for a compositor to talk to its clients as well as a library implementation of the protocol.

    4 Wayland alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  3. Budgie icon
     45 likes
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    The Budgie Desktop is a feature-rich, modern desktop designed to keep out the way of the user. It consists of a number of components to provide a more complete desktop experience.

    29 Budgie alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  4.  9 likes
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    KWin is a window manager for the X Window System, and is in the process of becoming a Wayland compositor. It is an integral part, and the default window manager of the Plasma Workspaces, but it can also be used on its own or with other desktop environments.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
     
  5. X11 icon
     17 likes
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    The X.Org project provides an open source implementation of the X Window System. The development work is being done in conjunction with the freedesktop.org community. The X.Org Foundation is the educational non-profit corporation whose Board serves this effort, and whose Members...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
     
  6. WindowFX icon
     7 likes
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    Revolutionize your operating system with WindowFX. Utilize an unprecedented number of special effects for your windows and maximize your computing experience.

    16 WindowFX alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
    • WindowFX is the most popular Windows alternative to Compiz.

    • WindowFX is the most popular commercial alternative to Compiz.

    • WindowFX is Paid and ProprietaryCompiz is Free and Open Source
  7. Wayfire icon
     6 likes
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    Wayfire is a 3D Wayland compositor, inspired by Compiz and based on wlroots. It aims to create a customizable, extendable and lightweight environment without sacrificing its appearance.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • FreeBSD
     
  8. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    CubeDesktop NXT provides you up to 16 workspaces, each with its own wallpaper and set of icons, allowing you to quickly and easily switch between them using a live and interactive 3D environment.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  9. ActiveDock 2 icon
     4 likes
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    ActiveDock 2 is a customizable alternative to the standard macOS Dock, offering advanced features for app launching, window management, appearance customization, and more. It fully replaces the classic Apple Dock and Launchpad while preserving their familiar look and behavior...

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
     
    • ActiveDock 2 is the most popular Mac alternative to Compiz.

    • ActiveDock 2 is Paid and ProprietaryCompiz is Free and Open Source
  10. Contexts icon
     11 likes
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    Switch between application windows effortlessly – with a click, a quick gesture, keyboard shortcuts or search; no matter how many of them you have open; even on multiple spaces & multiple displays.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
     
  11. Witch icon
     13 likes
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    Witch lets you access all of your windows by pressing a shortcut and choosing from a clearly arranged list of window titles.

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
     
12 of 31 Compiz alternatives