DisplayFusion vs herbstluftwm
DisplayFusion
displayfusion.com
herbstluftwm
herbstluftwm.orgSide by side
| Figure | DisplayFusion | herbstluftwm |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 11 | 1 |
| Spec score · Window Management Software | 9.2 (#1) | 8.1 (#12) |
| Integrations | Online wallpaper providers listed in the EULA include Bing Desktop, Digital Blasphemy, NASA APOD and Wallpaper Abyss. | The FAQ describes using external EWMH panels such as xfce4-panel and using dmenu for a run dialog. |
| Recent release | Version 12.1.1 was released July 23, 2026 with a settings scaling option and fixes for crashes, delayed hooks and wallpaper-image pasting. | The site lists version 0.9.6, released on 2026-04-03, with a CSS-inspired theme engine and a herbstclient mode for sending multiple commands through one instance. |
| Support | The purchase page directs customers with license questions to contact the company for help. | The project offers community help through IRC, Reddit, GitHub issues, and a mailing list. |
| What it does | DisplayFusion is Windows software for managing multi-monitor desktops with taskbars, wallpaper, window controls and automation. | herbstluftwm is a manual tiling window manager for the X window system. |
Plans
DisplayFusion
- DisplayFusion FreeFree
- FreeFree
- DisplayFusion Pro Standard$34, paid once
- Pro Standard$34, paid once
- DisplayFusion Pro on Steam$39.99, paid once
- DisplayFusion Pro Personal$49, paid once
- Pro Personal$49, paid once
- DisplayFusion Pro Site$899, paid once
- Pro Site$899, paid once
- DisplayFusion Pro Enterprise$3,899, paid once
In their own words
DisplayFusion
DisplayFusion provides controls and customization for Windows multi-monitor setups. It can add a taskbar to each monitor and configure resolution, colour depth, refresh rate, orientation, profiles, and screen splitting. Window tools support snapping, sizing, and moving windows, with saved profiles for window positions. Triggers respond to events such as window creation, focus, desktop unlock, or system idle, then run preset commands or custom scripts. A phone or tablet can control DisplayFusion remotely for actions such as changing wallpaper or toggling monitors. Wallpaper can come from a user's collection, online sources, or a direct image URL. Corporate deployment options include silent installer settings and custom ADMX templates for Active Directory Group Policy. The download page lists Windows 11, Windows 10 version 1607 or higher, and Windows Server 2016, 2019, and 2022, with x86, x64, and ARM64 support. A free 30-day Pro trial is followed by a free version. Pro Standard costs $34.00 USD once per machine and includes a lifetime license and future versions.
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.