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 FreeBSD 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
     488 likes

    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
    • openSUSE
    • Arch Linux
    • Fedora
    • FreeBSD
    • SteamOS
    • Wayland
     
  2. Cinnamon icon
     203 likes

    Cinnamon is a Linux desktop which provides advanced innovative features and a traditional user experience. The desktop layout is similar to GNOME 2. The underlying technology is forked from GNOME Shell.

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
     
  3. Wayland icon
     41 likes

    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.

    6 Wayland alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  4. Budgie icon
     48 likes

    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

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  5.  9 likes

    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
     
  6. X11 icon
     18 likes

    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...

    6 X11 alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
     
  7. Wayfire icon
     7 likes

    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 (MIT)

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • FreeBSD
     
  8. WindowFX icon
     7 likes

    Revolutionize your operating system with WindowFX. Utilize an unprecedented number of special effects for your windows and maximize your computing experience.

    17 WindowFX alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  9. 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
     
  10. Nimi Visuals icon
     12 likes

    Adds eye-candy effects to windows (and start menu) like deformations (e.g: jelly windows - that makes moved window wiggle like being made from jelly; or fold - which hides windows by folding up horizontally, and unfolds when showing), physics (e.g.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
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  11. xfwm4 icon
     1 like

    Xfwm4 is the window manager for Xfce. Xfwm4 can be run stand-alone, but if used this way, the Xfce Settings Manager will be required as a GUI to make configuration changes.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
     
  12. ActiveDock 2 icon
     4 likes

    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

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
     
12 of 32 Compiz alternatives