Compiz AlternativesWindow Managers and other similar apps like Compiz

Apps similar to Compiz include KDE Plasma, which is free and open source. Other options are Cinnamon, Wayland, KWin and Budgie. There's no shortage of Window Managers like Compiz, with more than 25 alternatives for Linux, Mac and Windows.

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Alternatives
Compiz alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. KDE Plasma icon
     520 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.

    31 KDE Plasma alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    • KDE Plasma
    • postmarketOS
    • openSUSE
    • Arch Linux
    • Fedora
    • FreeBSD
    • SteamOS
    • Wayland
    Good alternative?
     
  2. Cinnamon icon
     208 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.

    26 Cinnamon alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    Good alternative?
     
  3. Wayland icon
     43 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
    Good alternative?
     
  4.  10 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.

    60 KWin alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    Good alternative?
     
  5. 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.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
  6. X11 icon
     21 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
    Good alternative?
     
  7. Wayfire icon
     8 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)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • FreeBSD
    Good alternative?
     
  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.

    15 WindowFX alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Good alternative?
     
  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.

    10 CubeDesktop NXT alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Good alternative?
     
  10. 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
    Good alternative?
     
  11.  3 likes

    Gala is a window manager / compositing manager and an integral part of Pantheon, the desktop environment of elementary OS.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
  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...

    105 ActiveDock 2 alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Good alternative?
     
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