bemenu vs Winstep Nexus Dock
bemenu
github.comWinstep Nexus Dock
winstep.netSide by side
| Figure | bemenu | Winstep Nexus Dock |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 3 |
| Spec score · App Launcher Software | 8.4 (#8) | 7.5 (#23) |
| Spec score · App launchers | 8.4 (#10) | 7.9 (#16) |
| Spec score · App Launchers | 8.3 (#12) | 7.6 (#22) |
| Customization | Environment variables can set options, choose a backend, select renderer paths, and override rendering scale. | Nexus supports themes, configurable behaviors, animated icons, visual effects and skins from major third-party docks. |
| Purpose | bemenu is a dynamic menu library and client program inspired by dmenu. | Nexus provides one-click access to frequently used applications, folders, documents and commands from a customizable Windows dock. |
Plans
Winstep Nexus Dock
- NexusFree
- Nexus commercial license$12.95, paid once
- Nexus Ultimate$29.95, paid once
In their own words
bemenu
bemenu is a dynamic menu library and client program inspired by dmenu. It provides the bemenu and bemenu-run clients, with build targets for curses, X11, and Wayland backends. Users can configure environment variables for options, backend selection, renderer paths, and rendering scale. The project documents default keyboard bindings and an optional Vim-style mode enabled with --binding vim. Wayland use depends on a compositor implementing the wlr-layer-shell protocol, typically a wlroots-based compositor. Clipboard pasting uses wl-paste and xclip at runtime, in that order. Building requires a C compiler, and scdoc is needed to generate the man page. The project also documents macOS build steps using Homebrew prerequisites and a build-osx.sh flow; its provided Nix expression installs only the curses backend. The client program and sources other than the library and bindings use GNU GPLv3 or later, while the library and bindings use GNU LGPLv3 or later. The project lists pinentry-bemenu as an integration. bemenu is free and open source, with no paid plans or usage limits stated.
Winstep Nexus Dock
Winstep Nexus Dock is a customizable Windows dock for opening frequently used applications, folders, documents and commands. It can show running applications, replace the taskbar and display system tray icons. Built-in modules include a clock, Recycle Bin, email checker, weather and CPU, RAM and network meters. Nexus Ultimate adds multiple docks, sub-docks, shelves, drawers, Grid Stacks, Launch Pads and additional modules. Customization options include themes, configurable behavior, animated icons, visual effects and skins from major third-party docks. Nexus supports Windows UWP apps and Progressive Web Apps from Chrome, Brave and Microsoft Edge. Listed system requirements include Windows 7, 8, 10 or 11, 120 MB of free disk space and a minimum 800×600 screen resolution; ARM Windows devices are supported. The free Nexus plan is for personal use and allows one alarm. A commercial license costs $12.95 as a one-time purchase, and Nexus Ultimate costs $29.95, paid once. The Ultimate purchase page lists a fully functional 30-day trial.