Arch Linux VS bspwm

Compare Arch Linux VS bspwm and see what are their differences

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Arch Linux

You've reached the website for Arch Linux, a lightweight and flexible Linux® distribution that tries to Keep It Simple. Currently we have official packages optimized for the x86-64 architecture.

bspwm

A tiling window manager based on binary space partitioning

Landing page //
2018-09-29

Landing page //
2023-09-14

Arch Linux

Website: archlinux.org
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bspwm

Website: github.com
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Arch Linux features and specs

Customizability
Arch Linux is known for its high degree of customizability. Users can tailor the operating system to fit their specific needs by installing only the necessary components and applications.
Rolling Release Model
Arch Linux follows a rolling release model, which means that users receive continuous updates without needing to upgrade to a new version. This ensures that the system is always up-to-date with the latest software and security patches.
Performance
Due to its minimalistic design and absence of unnecessary software, Arch Linux can offer high performance and faster boot times compared to more bloated distributions.
Comprehensive Documentation
The Arch Wiki is one of the most thorough and well-maintained resources in the Linux community, making it easier for users to find help and learn more about their system.
User Control
Arch Linux provides users with complete control over their system. This is particularly beneficial for advanced users who want to fine-tune every aspect of their operating environment.

Possible disadvantages of Arch Linux

Steep Learning Curve
Arch Linux requires a higher level of technical knowledge to install and maintain compared to other distributions like Ubuntu or Fedora. This can be a barrier for beginners.
Lack of Official Support
While the Arch community is active and supportive, there is no formal customer support. Users must rely on community forums, IRC channels, and the Arch Wiki for help.
Potential Stability Issues
The rolling release model, while keeping the system current, can sometimes introduce instability or compatibility issues with new updates. This may require more frequent troubleshooting.
Manual Setup
The installation process for Arch Linux is highly manual and time-consuming, requiring users to configure their system from scratch. This can be daunting for those used to automated installers.
Limited Pre-Packaged Software
Unlike some other distributions that come pre-packaged with a variety of software and tools, Arch Linux starts with a base system. Users will need to manually install each application they need, which can be time-consuming.

bspwm features and specs

Highly Configurable
Bspwm is known for its high level of customizability, allowing users to tweak almost every aspect of their window management experience through simple scripts and configuration files.
Efficient Use of Screen Space
As a tiling window manager, Bspwm automatically arranges windows in a way that maximizes screen real estate, minimizing overlap and unused space.
Lightweight
Bspwm is extremely lightweight, making it suitable for older hardware and systems with limited resources. It does not come with additional software bloat.
Scriptable with Unix Philosophy
Bspwm adheres to the Unix philosophy of 'doing one thing well'. It functions without managing keybindings, allowing users to use other programs (like sxhkd) for keybinding management, which offers greater flexibility.
Active Community Support
Bspwm has an active community and comprehensive documentation, which helps new users get started and troubleshoot any issues they might encounter.

Possible disadvantages of bspwm

Steep Learning Curve
The configuration process can be complex and overwhelming for beginners. Unlike more mainstream window managers, bspwm requires learning various scripts and commands.
Lack of GUI Configuration Tools
Bspwm does not come with graphical configuration tools, which might be inconvenient for users who prefer a GUI for managing settings.
Sparse on Built-in Features
Since bspwm follows the Unix philosophy closely, it lacks many built-in features and utilities that other window managers might offer. Users need to set up additional tools for tasks such as wallpaper management or system trays.
Compatibility Issues
Some applications that expect a floating window manager might not work well with bspwm, requiring extra configuration or using alternative software.
Limited Out-of-the-box Experience
Bspwm does not come with a pre-configured environment, which can be a disadvantage for users looking for a ready-to-use experience out of the box.

Analysis of Arch Linux

Overall verdict

Arch Linux is highly regarded among users who prefer a do-it-yourself approach and value control over their operating system. It is an excellent choice for advanced users who want to tailor their system to specific requirements and enjoy staying on the cutting edge of software developments.

Why this product is good

Arch Linux is known for its simplicity, flexibility, and cutting-edge software. It follows a rolling release model, which means users always have access to the latest software updates and features. Additionally, Arch provides a minimalist base installation, allowing users to customize their system exactly to their needs. The Arch User Repository (AUR) offers a vast array of community-contributed packages, making it easy to install additional software. The comprehensive Arch Wiki is an excellent resource for troubleshooting and learning about various aspects of the system.

Recommended for

Advanced Linux users, enthusiasts who enjoy learning about system internals, and those who prefer customizing their OS. It is also recommended for developers who thrive on the latest software versions and updates. Beginners may find Arch challenging due to its manual setup process, but it can be a rewarding learning experience for those willing to invest the time.

Analysis of bspwm

Overall verdict

Yes, bspwm is generally considered to be a good window manager for users who value minimalism and customization. It is highly praised for its performance, simplicity, and the level of control it provides. However, it may not be the best choice for beginners due to the initial learning curve and the need for manual configuration.

Why this product is good

Bspwm is a tiling window manager that is highly configurable and minimalistic, designed to operate efficiently without relying on extensive system resources. It handles windows based on binary space partitioning, providing users with an easy way to organize their workspace. Its scriptability and flexibility allow users to tailor their environment precisely to their preferences, which is particularly appealing to advanced users who appreciate control over their system's behavior.

Recommended for

Advanced Linux users who prefer a minimalistic and efficient tiling window manager
Users who enjoy customizing their desktop environment and scripting configurations
Individuals who want to maximize screen real estate and improve their productivity through efficient workspace management

Arch Linux videos

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Top Five Reasons To Run Arch Linux

bspwm videos

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Switching To Bspwm - Initial Thoughts

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Arch Linux and bspwm)

Arch Linux

bspwm

Linux

87 87%

Linux

13% 13

Window Manager

0 0%

Window Manager

100% 100

Operating Systems

100 100%

Operating Systems

0% 0

Linux Distribution

100 100%

Linux Distribution

0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using Arch Linux and bspwm. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Arch Linux and bspwm

Arch Linux Reviews

Top 9 Fastest Linux Distros in 2024

One of the defining features of Arch Linux is its package management system, ‘Pacman’, which is designed to be fast, and reliable as it uses a simple command-line interface and a binary package format. Moreover, it makes the OS easy to install and manage software on the system.

Source: linuxsimply.com

Finding the Best Linux Distro for Your Organization

Arch Linux is a lightweight and highly customizable Linux distro that emphasizes simplicity, minimalism, and a "do-it-yourself" approach. It is designed for experienced users who want to build a tailored and efficient operating system environment according to their specific needs. Arch Linux rolling-release model provides continuous updates to the latest software packages...

Source: www.openlogic.com

The best Linux distributions (operating systems)

Fans of Linux consider Arch Linux the “pure” distribution. The minimalistic operating system forgoes any graphical tools. As such Arch Linux is slim and customizable, but this could scare away newcomers. Simplicity is part of the basic idea of Arch Linux, but here it refers to the distribution’s features. Arch Linux is managed with Pacman and is a suitable base for most...

Source: www.ionos.com

6 Best Free Alternatives to Windows for Advanced Users

Arch Linux users enjoy the latest updates on other Linux distributions before most users. All you need to do is use Pacman, Arch Linux’s package manager.

Source: techcult.com

Best Top 20 Ubuntu Linux Alternatives (Pros and Cons)

Artix Linux is a rolling-release distribution based on Arch Linux, which uses OpenRC, runit, s6, suite66, or dinit as init rather than systemd. It is possible to utilize packages from the Arch Linux repositories or any other derivative distribution, even those that expressly depend on systemd, on Artix Linux, as it is a pacman-based distribution. AUR (Arch User Repository)...

Source: cloudinfrastructureservices.co.uk

bspwm Reviews

Top 13 Best Tiling Window Managers For Linux In 2022

Support for multiple windows, limited support for EWMH, automatic mode for automatically determining the location of app tiles, and configuration and control via messages are among the characteristics of bspwm.

Source: www.hubtech.org

13 Best Tiling Window Managers for Linux

bspwm’s features include support for multiple windows, partial support for EWMH, automatic mode for automatically setting the position of app tiles, and it is configured and controlled through messages, among others.

Source: www.tecmint.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Arch Linux seems to be a lot more popular than bspwm. While we know about 258 links to Arch Linux, we've tracked only 21 mentions of bspwm. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Arch Linux mentions (258)

Writing an AnythingLLM Custom Agent Skill to Trigger Make.com Webhooks
If you don't already have it, download the AnythingLLM desktop application for your platform here. In my examples I'll be using my Macbook Pro to run AnythingLLM and connecting to llama-server running on an Arch Linux server with the Meta Llama 3.1 Instruct model (70B). However, you can do all of this just by linking AnythingLLM to the OpenAI API with an API Key. I will not go into the details of the initial setup... - Source: dev.to / 6 months ago
The Home Server Journey - 1: Motivation and Approach
If you've ever tried using a non-mainstream Linux distro, you probably know the pain of looking for a package, not finding it even in a third-party repository, trying to compile it from source and failing miserably over and over (Been there. Done that). Manjaro, as an Arch-based OS, at least has the very welcome access to the AUR, a community repository for compilation scripts that automate the process for us mere... - Source: dev.to / 9 months ago
Penguin, Chicken or Duck? (Eros, OC, Microsoft Bing AI Generated)
Arch is a popular Linux distribution(basically an os). Him saying that he uses arch is basically a joke that arch Linux users will always mention that they use the distro. (Also a penguin is also the Linux mascot). Source: over 1 year ago
Arch Linux bugtracker migration to Gitlab completed
Arch sends distribution news every week or so, usually in one or two paragraphs. https://archlinux.org/ I've followed the gitlab migration and every package and distribution change that warranted community notification for more than a decade. It's such an empowering feeling to have tracked all the changes to the distribution over a decade. The Arch maintainer culture has managed to provide consistent high quality... - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
Moving from Mint to Arch
When searching for something just add Arch Linux to the and follow official archlinux.org and use duckduckgo.com for better results. You will get amazed how good arch wiki explained everything and how aur has very large apps. Source: over 1 year ago

bspwm mentions (21)

well... thinkpads are awesome
Over on Linux, I’ve been learning kinda a-lot about linux tools and workflows. I've recently got into window managers, bspwm was my first one and I'm thinking of moving towards a Arch+Hyprland setup in future. Setting it up was way easier than I thought, and I got inspired by a YouTuber named jvscholz, who’s all about minimalism and productivity. - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago
What WM should I use?
Use BSPWM. It supports right clicks by default and its modular. You might want to look for status bars that work with it, slstatus does not work. Good luck, supremacist! Source: about 2 years ago
What are some OpenSource apps that are the best of their kind?
I had not heard of bspwm but I am a fan of telling WMs. Looking at the documentation now, I really like the pragmatic approach lol https://github.com/baskerville/bspwm. Source: about 2 years ago
Got some questions before moving to linux...
I am not familiar with that distro at all, so no idea. KDE Plasma is fine, I use it myself (with BSPWM as my window manager, but that's irrelevant). Source: over 2 years ago
MacBook Setup - OS Ventura 13.1 - Samsung QLed 43” - VM: yabai - Terminal: Hyper
There's a paradigm shift required for a lot of people to start using automatic tiling window managers. Yabai is basically a bspwm port for MacOS and it follows the rules of binary space partitioning. In fact, bspwm has a great diagram on its github readme that illustrates how it works. This will limit the number of windows you can have on any given desktop. To overcome this limitation you use multiple desktops. A... Source: over 2 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Arch Linux and bspwm, you can also consider the following products

Ubuntu - Ubuntu is a Debian Linux-based open source operating system for desktop computers.

i3 - A dynamic tiling window manager designed for X11, inspired by wmii, and written in C.

Linux Mint - Linux Mint is one of the most popular desktop Linux distributions and used by millions of people.

dwm - dwm is a dynamic window manager for X. It manages windows in tiled, monocle and floating layouts. All of the layouts can be applied dynamically, optimising the environment for the application in use and the task performed.

Fedora - Fedora creates an innovative, free, and open source platform for hardware, clouds, and containers that enables software developers and community members to build tailored solutions for their users.

qtile - Qtile is a full-featured, hackable tiling window manager written in Python.

Linux Mint vs Arch Linux