Gala Alternatives

Gala is described as 'Window manager / compositing manager and an integral part of Pantheon, the desktop environment of elementary OS' and is a Window Manager in the os & utilities category. There are more than 10 alternatives to Gala for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Windows, BSD, FreeBSD and Qt apps. The best Gala alternative is Compiz, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Gala are KWin, Wayfire, Raskin and Nimi Visuals.

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Gala alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. Compiz icon
     161 likes
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    Compiz is a compositing manager adding fancy effects to your windows, from drop shadows to awesome desktop effects like the Desktop Cube or the Expo view.

    31 Compiz alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
    • Compiz is the most popular Linux alternative to Gala.

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

    • Compiz is Free and Open SourceGala is also Free and Open Source
    • Compiz is Privacy focused and LightweightGala is not according to our users
  2.  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.

    56 KWin alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
     
  3. 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
     
  4. Raskin icon
     11 likes
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    Experience Raskin's unique bird's eye view to browse and manage your pictures, presentations, PDFs…

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
     
    • Raskin is the most popular Mac alternative to Gala.

    • Raskin is Free and ProprietaryGala is Free and Open Source
  5. Nimi Visuals icon
     12 likes
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    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
     
    • Nimi Visuals is the most popular Windows alternative to Gala.

    • Nimi Visuals is Free and ProprietaryGala is Free and Open Source
  6.  3 likes
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    Picom is a standalone compositor for Xorg, suitable for use with window managers that do not provide compositing. Picom is a fork of compton, which is a fork of xcompmgr-dana, which in turn is a fork of xcompmgr.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
     
  7. 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
     
    • CubeDesktop NXT is the most popular commercial alternative to Gala.

    • CubeDesktop NXT is Paid and ProprietaryGala is Free and Open Source
  8. Winflip icon
     4 likes
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    WinFlip emulates Windows Vistas "Flip 3D" effect for Windows XP. Using the hotkey of your choice, you can find the window youre looking for in a fast, clean 3D interface.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  9.  1 like
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    A light-weight, Exposé-like window switcher for X (feat. OpenGL).

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
     
  10. PaperDE icon
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    A light-weight desktop environment based on Qt/Wayland and wayfire.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Qt
    • Wayland
     
  11. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    General purpose of this program is to use 4 simulating screens simultaneously. To switch into each screen, select one of 4 screens or use shortcut key.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
11 of 11 Gala alternatives