Best XMonad Alternatives in 2026
Updated
20 tools from window management software ranked against XMonad on the same published basis.
- 1XMonad vs DisplayFusion
- 2XMonad vs Launchpad
- 3XMonad vs spectrwm
- 4XMonad vs awesome
- 5XMonad vs dwm
- 6XMonad vs Qtile
- 7XMonad vs Reloop
- 8XMonad vs Amethyst
- 9XMonad vs i3
- 10XMonad vs komorebi
- 11XMonad vs Ratpoison
- 12XMonad vs bug.n
- 13XMonad vs WindowWatcher
- 14XMonad vs yabai
- 15XMonad vs Actual Multiple Monitors
- 16XMonad vs AeroSpace
- 17XMonad vs RBTray
- 18XMonad vs ShiftIt
- 19XMonad vs HazeOver
- 20XMonad vs ActiveDock
XMonad alternatives compared
| # | Tool | Score | Free plan | From | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DisplayFusion | 7.4 | Free plan | Free | Windows |
| 2 | Launchpad | 7.2 | Free plan | Free | API, Linux, self-hosted, Web |
| 3 | spectrwm | 7.1 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 4 | awesome | 6.9 | Free plan | Free | Linux |
| 5 | dwm | 6.9 | Free plan | Free | Linux |
| 6 | Qtile | 6.9 | Free plan | Free | Linux, self-hosted |
| 7 | Reloop | 6.9 | Free plan | $10/mo | self-hosted |
| 8 | Amethyst | 6.8 | Free plan | Free | Mac |
| 9 | i3 | 6.8 | Free plan | Free | Linux, self-hosted |
| 10 | komorebi | 6.8 | No | $9.17/mo | Mac, Windows |
| 11 | Ratpoison | 6.8 | Free plan | Free | Linux |
| 12 | bug.n | 6.7 | Free plan | Free | Windows |
| 13 | WindowWatcher | 6.7 | Free plan | Free | Windows |
| 14 | yabai | 6.7 | Free plan | Free | Mac |
| 15 | Actual Multiple Monitors | 6.6 | No | — | Windows |
| 16 | AeroSpace | 6.6 | No | — | Mac |
| 17 | RBTray | 6.6 | Free plan | Free | Windows |
| 18 | ShiftIt | 6.6 | Free plan | Free | Mac |
| 19 | HazeOver | 6.5 | No | — | Mac |
| 20 | ActiveDock | 6.4 | No | — | Mac |
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Questions about XMonad alternatives
What is the best alternative to XMonad?
DisplayFusion, number 1 in window management software with a score of 7.4 out of 10. The others here: Launchpad, spectrwm, awesome and 16 more.
What is the best free alternative to XMonad?
DisplayFusion is the best-ranked alternative with a free plan. 15 of the 20 alternatives here publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
How are these alternatives ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes, the fullest spec sheet first: how deeply the product is documented, the platforms it runs on, a free tier or trial to test it, and its standing.