spectrwm
spectrwm is a small, dynamic tiling and reparenting window manager for X11.
What spectrwm is
spectrwm is a small, dynamic tiling and reparenting window manager for X11. It arranges windows using configurable layouts, including a resizable master area, while also allowing floating windows to be moved and resized. Users can move windows between workspaces or within defined regions, and navigate screens by keyboard or mouse. It supports dynamic RandR multi-head configurations, offers a customizable status bar and quick launch menu, and lets users define application-launch key bindings. The software has defaults intended to work without requiring users to learn a programming language for configuration. It can be restarted without losing state and supports Extended Window Manager Hints. spectrwm is free under the ISC license. The project lists version 3.7.0 as its latest release and directs questions and feedback to its #spectrwm channel on OFTC IRC. Listed platforms are Linux, macOS, and Windows; its stated purpose is managing X11 windows.
Good
- Free software released under the ISC license.
- Supports configurable layouts and a resizable master area.
- Windows can move between workspaces or defined regions.
- Customizable status bar and quick launch menu.
- Can restart without losing state.
Watch out
- Its stated purpose is window management for X11.
- Feedback and questions are directed to an OFTC IRC channel.
Who it suits
spectrwm suits people using X11 who want configurable tiling layouts and keyboard- or mouse-based window navigation. It may also fit users who want to define workspaces, regions, and application-launch shortcuts without learning a programming language for configuration.
Verdict
spectrwm offers configurable tiling, floating windows, and workspace controls for X11. Its X11 focus and IRC support channel are worth considering when deciding whether it suits your setup.
Plans and prices
From spectrwm's own pricing page, checked 15 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| spectrwm | Free | ISC-licensed source code · self-built or distribution packages |
The facts
Each one read from spectrwm's own pages, with the date it was checked.
The company
- Company/owner
- OpenHub identifies Conformal Systems as the project manager.checked 15 Oct 2026
What it does
- Compatibility
- It supports Extended Window Manager Hints (EWMH).checked 30 Sep 2026
- Configuration
- It uses a human-readable text configuration file and does not require users to learn a programming language.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Displays
- It supports dynamic RandR multi-head configurations.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Documentation depth
- The project ships a detailed manual covering hundreds of configuration options, actions, signals and window states.checked 15 Oct 2026
- EWMH
- The manager implements Extended Window Manager Hints for desktop interoperability.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- Custom programs, key bindings, quirks, autorun entries and bar_action scripts provide the documented extension mechanisms.checked 15 Oct 2026
- External control
- The manual documents partial EWMH control through tools such as wmctrl and xdotool.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Independent packaging
- The OpenBSD Handbook lists spectrwm as a packaged tiling manager with good OpenBSD support.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The official installation guide provides source-build instructions and package commands for Debian/Ubuntu, Arch, NixOS and NetBSD, with a separate macOS guide.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Latest listed release
- The releases page lists spectrwm 3.7.0 as its latest release.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Launch bindings
- Users can define key bindings that launch applications and custom commands.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Launch controls
- It includes a quick launch menu and user-defined key bindings for launching applications.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Layouts
- Users can switch among multiple tiling layouts and resize the master area.checked 15 Oct 2026
- License
- The code is released under the permissive ISC license, with patches required to use the same license.checked 15 Oct 2026
- License terms
- The license permits use, copying, modification and distribution with or without charge, while providing the software without warranty.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: compositing
- The DEV Community review reports no compositor support for animations, drop shadows or transparency effects.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: desktop integration
- A DEV Community review says spectrwm lacks built-in support for popular bars such as polybar, yabar and lemonbar, so users may need scripts or Conky.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: display glitches
- An Eirenicon user reports occasional Firefox keyboard loss and flickering pop-up menus, although the cause could have been Debian Sid.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: learning curve
- The same long-term reviewer says the workflow took time to learn and required personal configuration changes before it felt comfortable.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: panel usability
- The Eirenicon review describes the built-in panel as troublesome and limited, especially for formatting and colors, and uses polybar or conky instead.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: setup dependencies
- An EndeavourOS forum thread describes startup failures caused by font configuration and greeter compatibility until the user changed the bar font and display-manager setup.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Multi-head support
- Dynamic RandR support allows management of multiple screens.checked 15 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Floating windows
- Floating windows can be moved and resized, and tiled windows can be dragged into floating mode.checked 15 Oct 2026
The full review of spectrwm
spectrwm is a free, small window manager for people who want to arrange X11 windows with configurable tiling and keyboard controls. It suits users who are comfortable choosing a window manager and tuning its settings; its X11 focus is the key reason to look elsewhere if your setup needs a different platform.
Overview
spectrwm combines tiling with floating windows, workspaces and user-defined screen regions. Sane defaults and configuration that does not require a programming language make it less demanding to tailor than a tool built around scripting, while its focus remains firmly on arranging windows rather than providing a broader desktop environment.
It is released under the ISC license and supports EWMH, which helps when working with software that expects those window-manager hints. The releases page identifies version 3.7.0 as the latest release.
Key features
Multiple layouts, configurable tiling and a resizable master area let users choose how screen space is divided. This is useful when one window deserves prominence or a task calls for a different arrangement; users seeking a single fixed layout may not need the extra controls.
Windows can be moved between workspaces or within defined regions. Floating windows can be moved and resized, and a tiled window can be dragged into floating mode. That flexibility accommodates windows that do not suit a tile, though users committed to keeping every window tiled may prefer a stricter approach.
Dynamic RandR multi-head support and keyboard or mouse navigation across screens serve changing multi-display setups. A customizable status bar, quick launch menu and user-defined application bindings keep routine controls close at hand. Restarting without losing state is useful when adjusting the configuration.
Pricing
spectrwm is free, with a free plan listed as free. The plan is ISC-licensed and provides the X11 window manager, including layout presets, application rules and virtual desktop controls. There is no paid tier or free trial to weigh against it.
Platforms
The platform listing names Linux, macOS and Windows, while spectrwm itself is an X11 window manager. That makes its X11 role the deciding compatibility consideration; the platform names alone do not change what kind of software it is.
Who it's for
Choose spectrwm if you want a free, configurable X11 window manager with tiling, floating windows, workspace controls and multi-head support, and prefer settings over a programming-language configuration workflow. It is less suitable if you need a general-purpose desktop environment or a window manager centered on a non-X11 setup. The project points users to its #spectrwm channel on OFTC IRC for questions and feedback.
Pros and cons
- Pros: Sane defaults and non-programming configuration lower the effort of getting a tailored setup.
- Pros: Layouts, workspaces, regions and floating windows give practical control over where windows go.
- Pros: Dynamic RandR multi-head support and navigation by keyboard or mouse suit multi-display use.
- Cons: Its X11 focus makes it a poor choice when a different window-system setup is required.
- Cons: It manages windows rather than supplying a broader desktop environment.
Alternatives
Browse Window Management Software for more options. Consider DisplayFusion if you want a Windows option with a free tier and a paid lifetime license billed per machine. Launchpad is a free alternative for Linux and self-hosted use, but serves a different software role. Reloop is a self-hosted option with a free tier capped at 3,000 emails per month and 100 per day, rather than a window manager.
For macOS tiling, Amethyst offers configurable layouts, keyboard shortcuts and application floating or tiling rules. On Linux, awesome is a free X window manager; bug.n is a free Windows window manager. dwm is a free X window manager for Linux, while i3 is a free, open-source option for GNU/Linux and BSD.
Verdict
spectrwm is a strong fit for users who want a free X11 window manager that balances configurable tiling with floating windows and workspace control, without requiring a programming-language configuration. Choose it for that focused flexibility; look elsewhere if your setup does not center on X11 or you need a complete desktop environment.
Alternatives to spectrwm
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