Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

bspwm VS Witch

Compare bspwm VS Witch and see what are their differences

bspwm logo bspwm

A tiling window manager based on binary space partitioning

Witch logo Witch

Welcome to the world of W. i. t. c. h.
  • bspwm Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-14
  • Witch Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-22

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.

Witch features and specs

  • Improved Window Management
    Witch allows users to easily switch between open windows, not just applications, making multitasking more efficient.
  • Customizable Settings
    Users can customize various settings, such as window switching behavior and appearance, to better suit their workflow and preferences.
  • Keyboard Shortcuts
    Witch supports customizable keyboard shortcuts, providing quick access to window management functions without relying on the mouse.
  • Application-Specific Navigation
    Users can navigate through different windows of the same application, which is particularly useful for applications with multiple open documents or instances.
  • Integration with macOS
    Witch integrates well with macOS, enhancing the native window switching capabilities without requiring significant changes to the existing workflow.

Possible disadvantages of Witch

  • Price
    Witch is a paid application, which may be a deterrent for users who are seeking free alternatives for window management.
  • Learning Curve
    New users might need some time to fully understand and configure Witch to their liking, which can be a slight barrier to initial productivity.
  • Possible Redundancy
    For users who are satisfied with the built-in macOS window management features, Witch might add unnecessary complexity without significant benefits.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Updates to macOS may occasionally cause compatibility issues with Witch, requiring users to wait for updates from the developer.
  • Resource Usage
    While not typically significant, Witch does consume system resources, which might be a concern for users on older or less powerful machines.

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

Analysis of Witch

Overall verdict

  • Witch is generally considered a good tool for those who require more control over window management on macOS. It is reliable, integrates well with the macOS environment, and offers a level of customization that can cater to various workflow preferences.

Why this product is good

  • Witch by Many Tricks is a utility for macOS designed to enhance window management. Users appreciate its ability to switch between not only applications but also individual windows using simple keyboard shortcuts. This added functionality can significantly improve productivity, especially for power users who often work with multiple windows and need a more refined navigation tool than the standard macOS application switcher.

Recommended for

  • Mac users who multitask frequently and need efficient window management
  • Individuals looking for an alternative to the default macOS app switcher
  • Power users who prefer keyboard shortcuts for enhanced productivity

bspwm videos

Switching To Bspwm - Initial Thoughts

More videos:

Witch videos

The Witch - Movie Review

More videos:

  • Review - The Witch - movie review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to bspwm and Witch)
Window Manager
56 56%
44% 44
Linux
100 100%
0% 0
Mac
0 0%
100% 100
Utilities
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

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

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
bspwmโ€™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

Witch Reviews

We have no reviews of Witch yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Witch might be a bit more popular than bspwm. We know about 28 links to it since March 2021 and only 21 links to 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.

bspwm mentions (21)

  • well... thinkpads are awesome
    Over on Linux, Iโ€™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, whoโ€™s all about minimalism and productivity. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year 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: over 3 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: over 3 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 3 years ago
  • MacBook Setup - OS Ventura 13.1 - Samsung QLed 43โ€ - 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 3 years ago
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Witch mentions (28)

  • Show HN: What if your menu bar was a keyboard-controlled command center?
    I spotted the very underrated Bloom [1] in the screenshots and thought I should give it a shout in here. I've been using it, along with Witch [2] as an app switcher so that I can hide the Finder icon, for about 2 months and love it. [1] https://bloomapp.club [2] https://manytricks.com/witch/. - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • macOS Tips and Tricks
    - check out Witch (https://manytricks.com/witch/). - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Loop: Open-Source macOS Window Manager
    There's at least Witch and Contexts. https://manytricks.com/witch/ https://contexts.co/. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • US sues Adobe for 'deceiving' subscriptions that are too hard to cancel
    There are multiple 3rd party window switchers, Witch is a popular one, afair: https://manytricks.com/witch/. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • App Switcher on MAC
    I tried a lot, and https://manytricks.com/witch/ is what I stuck with for the ONLY decent alt tab experience I could find (itโ€™s heavily customizable). I donโ€™t understand this number thing, finding them like that takes the same reading action you could be doing while you press alt tab for eachโ€ฆ and youโ€™d be done, but instead I see so many apps offer that number route. It just seems like double work to me ;). Source: about 3 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

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

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

Contexts - Switch between application windows effortlessly โ€” with Fast Search, a better Command-Tab, a Sidebar or even a quick gesture. Free trial available.

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

Compiz - Project information. Maintainer: PS Project Management Team. Driver: Compiz Maintainers. Licence: GNU GPL v2, GNU LGPL v2. 1, MIT / X / Expat Licence.

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.

Hyperswitch - HyperSwitch provides a compelling alternative to HyperDock for keyboard junkies. What's New