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 priced at 0.00 USD per 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.

	MacsyZones	spectrwm
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Free trial	No	No
Paid from	Free	Free
Open source	No	No
Platforms	macOS	Linux, macOS, Windows
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Paid from	7 one-time	—
Platforms	macos	linux, macos, windows
Layout presets	Yes	Yes
Virtual desktop controls	Yes	Yes
Application rules	—	Yes

MacsyZones vs spectrwm

MacsyZones

spectrwm