X11 Alternatives

X11 is described as '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' and is an app in the os & utilities category. There are five alternatives to X11 for Linux and Mac. The best X11 alternative is Wayland, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like X11 are Compiz, XQuartz, Smithay and Mir.

X11 iconX11
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The X.Org project provides an open source implementation of the X Window System. The development work is being done in...

More about X11
More about X11
X11 alternatives page was last updated Mar 19, 2025
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Alternatives
  1. Wayland icon

    Wayland

     32 likes
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    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.

    5 Wayland alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Wayland screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Support for Multiple Monitors

    Wayland VS X11

     

    • Almost everyone thinks Wayland is a great X11 alternative.

    • Wayland is the most popular Linux alternative to X11.

    • Wayland is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to X11.

    • Wayland is Free and Open SourceX11 is also Free and Open Source
    • Wayland is LightweightX11 is not according to our users
  2. Compiz icon

    Compiz

     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.

    27 Compiz alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Compiz screenshot 1

    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 VS X11

     
  4. XQuartz icon

    XQuartz

     14 likes
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    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

    Platforms

    • Mac
    XQuartz screenshot 1

    XQuartz Features

    1.  X server
    2.  Graphical User Interface

    XQuartz VS X11

     

    • XQuartz is the most popular Mac alternative to X11.

    • XQuartz is Free and Open SourceX11 is also Free and Open Source
  5. Smithay icon

    Smithay

     1 like
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    A smithy for rusty wayland compositors.

    2 Smithay alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux

    Smithay Features

    1.  Rust

    Smithay VS X11

     

  6. Mir

     1 like
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    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

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Linux

    Mir Features

    1.  X server

    Mir VS X11

     
5 of 5 X11 alternatives