Wayland AlternativesWindow Managers and other similar apps like Wayland

Wayland is described as 'Project to define a protocol for a compositor to talk to its clients as well as a library implementation of the protocol' and is a Window Manager in the os & utilities category. There are four alternatives to Wayland for Linux, BSD and Mac. The best Wayland alternative is Compiz, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Wayland are X11, XQuartz and Mir.

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

Wayland

Window Manager
Free • Open Source

Wayland is intended as a simpler replacement for X11, easier to develop and maintain. Desktop environments that support Wayland include GNOME and [KDE...

More about Wayland

Wayland alternatives page was last updated Jun 2, 2023

Compiz
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.
26 Compiz alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
- Window Manager
Platforms
- Linux
Compiz Features
1. Ad-free
2. Dark Mode
3. Privacy focused
4. Support for scripting
5. Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
6. No Tracking
7. No registration required
8. Lightweight
Show all NaN Compiz features ▾
Compiz VS Wayland
Is Compiz a good alternative to Wayland?
- Compiz is the most popular Linux alternative to Wayland.
- Compiz is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Wayland.
- Compiz is Free and Open SourceWayland is also Free and Open Source
- Compiz is Privacy focusedWayland is not according to our users

X11
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...
4 X11 alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
- Desktop Environment
Platforms
- Linux
- BSD
X11 Features
Desktop Widget
Windows-like
Show all NaN X11 features ▾
X11 VS Wayland
Is X11 a good alternative to Wayland?

XQuartz
This provides a windowing system for some applications that normally run on Linux, as well as for forwarding GUI from the server to your client computer.
3 XQuartz alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
- Window Manager
- Desktop Environment
Platforms
- Mac
XQuartz Features
X server
Graphical User Interface
Show all NaN XQuartz features ▾
XQuartz VS Wayland
Is XQuartz a good alternative to Wayland?
- XQuartz is the most popular Mac alternative to Wayland.
- XQuartz is Free and Open SourceWayland is also Free and Open Source

Mir
The purpose of Mir is to enable the development of user interfaces shells. In the case of Ubuntu, Mir will be utilized by next generation Unity. In addition, Mir will be developed in a manner that will retain its flexibility and usability in order that shells other than Unity...
3 Mir alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
- Window Manager
Platforms
- Linux
Mir Features
X server
Show all NaN Mir features ▾
Mir VS Wayland
Is Mir a good alternative to Wayland?