AeroSpace vs herbstluftwm
AeroSpace
github.com
herbstluftwm
herbstluftwm.orgSide by side
| Figure | AeroSpace | herbstluftwm |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 0 | 1 |
| Spec score · Window Management Software | 7.4 (#32) | 8.1 (#12) |
| Integrations | Callbacks can run commands when the focused workspace changes, with the guide showing an example that notifies SketchyBar. | The FAQ describes using external EWMH panels such as xfce4-panel and using dmenu for a run dialog. |
| Intended users | The project says AeroSpace targets advanced users and developers and is keyboard-centric. | The project describes itself as a manual tiling window manager for users of the X window system. |
| Layouts | It provides horizontal and vertical tile layouts and horizontal and vertical accordion layouts. | Its tiling layout works by splitting frames into subframes that can be split again or filled with windows. |
| Product | AeroSpace is an i3-like tiling window manager for macOS. | herbstluftwm is a manual tiling window manager for the X window system. |
| Support | The project asks users to start with GitHub Discussions rather than filing issues directly. | The project offers community help through IRC, Reddit, GitHub issues, and a mailing list. |
Plans
In their own words
herbstluftwm
herbstluftwm is a manual tiling window manager for the X window system. Each virtual desktop, called a tag, has a tiling layer and a floating layer, allowing windows to occupy split frames or be placed freely. Frames can be divided into further subframes or filled with windows, and keyboard controls move, resize, and focus tiled and floating windows. Configuration runs through herbstclient and can be changed while the manager is running without a restart. Screen space can be divided into virtual monitors that need not match physical displays; monitors share a common pool of tags. The project is licensed under the Simplified BSD License and is listed as free at free. The download page lists packages for Linux distributions and Mac OS X via MacPorts, and confirms operation on Cygwin. The project also offers released source tarballs and links to its current development version. Community help is available through IRC, Reddit, GitHub issues, and a mailing list.