KWin AlternativesWindow Managers and other similar apps like KWin

KWin is described as 'Window manager for the X Window System, and is in the process of becoming a Wayland compositor. It 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' and is a Window Manager in the os & utilities category. There are more than 50 alternatives to KWin for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Windows, Wayland, BSD and Mac apps. The best KWin alternative is Compiz, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like KWin are VirtuaWin, awesome, Qtile and Mission Control.

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KWin alternatives are mainly Window Managers but may also be Wayland Compositors or Virtual Desktop Managers.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of KWin.
KWin
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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...

More about KWin
KWin alternatives page was last updated May 11, 2024
  1. Compiz icon
     161 likes

    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.

    27 Compiz alternatives
    Compiz screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  Dark Mode
    3.  Support for scripting
    4.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    5.  No Tracking
    6.  No registration required
    Compiz icon

    Compiz VS KWin

    Is Compiz a good alternative to KWin?
     
    • Compiz is the most popular Linux alternative to KWin.

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

    • Compiz is Free and Open SourceKWin is also Free and Open Source
    • Compiz is Privacy focused and LightweightKWin is not according to our users
  2. VirtuaWin icon
     80 likes

    VirtuaWin is a virtual desktop manager for the Windows operating system (Win9x/ME/NT/Win2K/XP/Win2003/Vista/Win7/Win10). A virtual desktop manager lets you organize applications over several virtual desktops (also called ‘workspaces’).

    22 VirtuaWin alternatives
    VirtuaWin - Multiple Virtual Desktops

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • PortableApps.com

    VirtuaWin Features

    1.  Portable
    Discontinued

    The latest version (4.5) is from January 2021.

    VirtuaWin icon

    VirtuaWin VS KWin

    Is VirtuaWin a good alternative to KWin?
     
    • VirtuaWin is the most popular Windows alternative to KWin.

    • VirtuaWin is Free and Open SourceKWin is also Free and Open Source
  3. awesome icon
     34 likes

    awesome is a highly configurable, next generation framework window manager for X. It is very fast, extensible and licensed under the GNU GPLv2 license.

    75 awesome alternatives
    awesome screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD

    awesome Features

    1.  X server
    2.  Tiling
    3.  Extensible window manager
    awesome icon

    awesome VS KWin

    Is awesome a good alternative to KWin?
     
  4. Qtile icon
     8 likes

    A full-featured, hackable tiling window manager written and configured in Python.

    68 Qtile alternatives
    Qtile screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux

    Qtile Features

    1.  Support for Multiple Monitors
    2.  Support for scripting
    3.  Command line interface
    4.  Tiling
    5.  Extensible window manager
    Qtile icon

    Qtile VS KWin

    Is Qtile a good alternative to KWin?
     
  5. Mission Control icon
     13 likes

    Mission Control, formerly Exposé, is a feature of the macOS operating system.

    23 Mission Control alternatives
    Mission Control screenshot 1

    License model

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac

    Mission Control Features

    1.  Bundled with macOS
    2.  Window organizer
    Mission Control icon

    Mission Control VS KWin

    Is Mission Control a good alternative to KWin?
     
    • Mission Control is the most popular Mac alternative to KWin.

    • Mission Control is the most popular commercial alternative to KWin.

    • Mission Control is Paid and ProprietaryKWin is Free and Open Source
  6. Preme for Windows icon
     48 likes

    Preme is a free software for Windows which lets you add cool desktop features and enhances the desktop functionality.

    61 Preme for Windows alternatives
    quick window

    License model

    • FreeProprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Preme for Windows Features

    1.  Touch Bar Manager
    2.  Touchbar integration
    Preme for Windows icon

    Preme for Windows VS KWin

    Is Preme for Windows a good alternative to KWin?
     
  7. niri icon
     3 likes

    Windows are arranged in columns on an infinite strip going to the right. Opening a new window never causes existing windows to resize.

    70 niri alternatives
    niri screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Wayland

    niri Features

    1.  Rust
    2.  Tiling Window Manager
    niri icon

    niri VS KWin

    Is niri a good alternative to KWin?
     
  8. dwm icon
     24 likes

    dwm is a dynamic window manager for X. It manages windows in tiled, monocle and floating layouts. All of the layouts can be applied dynamically, optimising the environment for the application in use and the task performed.

    73 dwm alternatives
    dwm screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Support for Multiple Monitors
    2.  X server
    dwm icon

    dwm VS KWin

    Is dwm a good alternative to KWin?
     
  9. Xmonad icon
     26 likes

    xmonad is a dynamically tiling X11 window manager that is written and configured in Haskell. In a normal WM, you spend half your time aligning and searching for windows. xmonad makes work easier, by automating this.

    71 Xmonad alternatives
    Xmonad screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux

    Xmonad Features

    1.  X server
    2.  Tiling
    3.  Extensible window manager
    Xmonad icon

    Xmonad VS KWin

    Is Xmonad a good alternative to KWin?
     
  10. Labwc icon
     2 likes

    Labwc stands for Lab Wayland Compositor, where lab can mean any of the following:

    16 Labwc alternatives
    Labwc screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Linux

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  No registration required
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  No Tracking
    4.  Wayland Support
    Labwc icon

    Labwc VS KWin

    Is Labwc a good alternative to KWin?
     
  11. SwayFX icon
     3 likes

    Sway is an incredible window manager, and certainly one of the most well established wayland window managers. However, it is restricted to only include the functionality that existed in i3. This fork ditches the simple wlr_renderer, and replaces it with our fx_renderer, capable...

    59 SwayFX alternatives
    SwayFX screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Arch Linux
    • Gentoo Linux
    • Fedora
    • Nix Package Manager
    • Sway
    • FreeBSD
    • Wayland

    SwayFX Features

    1.  No registration required
    2.  No Tracking
    3.  Compositor
    4.  Wayland Support
    5.  OPENGL
    SwayFX icon

    SwayFX VS KWin

    Is SwayFX a good alternative to KWin?
     
  12. Gnome Mutter icon
     1 like

    Mutter is a Wayland display server and X11 window manager and compositor library.

    64 Gnome Mutter alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • GNOME
    • Wayland

    Gnome Mutter Features

    1.  Wayland Support
    Gnome Mutter icon

    Gnome Mutter VS KWin

    Is Gnome Mutter a good alternative to KWin?
     
12 of 54 KWin alternatives