How I rank Linux window managers
How I rank Linux window managers
https://www.howtogeek.com/how-i-rank-linux-window-managers/
Publish Date: 2026-02-22 08:30:00
Source Domain: www.howtogeek.com
On the surface, most Linux window managers look deceptively similar. It’s only once you start using them that you realize how differently they handle your workflow. Here’s a quick breakdown of how Linux window managers differ—and which ones I rank above the rest.
What are the main things I look for in a Linux window manager?
There are three main things I look for in a Linux window manager (WM): how it handles window layouts, how its configuration system works, and whether it runs on Wayland or X11. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of how these factors influence your overall workflow.
How is the window manager managing the windows?
There are three fundamental ways a window manager can handle your windows: floating, tiling, and the very new—scrolling.
Floating window managers—also known as stacking window managers—are what most people are already familiar with from using Windows or a standard Ubuntu desktop. App windows float freely on the screen, can overlap each other, and are moved around primarily with the mouse—think of it like organizing papers on a desk. It’s intuitive, but the more papers (windows) you add, the harder it gets to find what you need. Common examples include Openbox, IceWM, and Fluxbox.
Next are tiling window managers. They ditch the paper-like metaphor and instead treat your screen like a grid of tiles. Every window gets its own dedicated space…
