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.
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Which is more popular?
Based on our record, dwm
should be more popular than Ghostty.
It has been mentioned 70 times since March 2021.
social mentions
70 vs 33
Linux popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
104 vs 165
Base details
Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.
Lightweight dwm is extremely lightweight, resulting in minimal use of system resources. It is designed to have no unnecessary bloat, making it suitable for older hardware or low-spec systems.
Customizable dwm is highly customizable, with the configuration being done through editing the C source code. This allows for deep customization to meet specific user preferences.
Simplicity The software is designed with simplicity in mind. It has a straightforward design and a gentle learning curve for users familiar with tiling window managers.
Tiling Window Management dwm automatically arranges windows in a tiling format, which can help improve productivity by making better use of screen real estate and reducing the need to manually arrange windows.
Community Support A robust community following and good documentation provide ample support for troubleshooting and extending dwm. Many patches and tips are shared among users.
Possible disadvantages
Steep Initial Learning Curve For users not familiar with tiling window managers or who are used to traditional desktop environments, the initial setup and usage might be challenging.
Manual Compilation for Configuration Configuration changes require editing the source code and recompiling the window manager. This can be inconvenient for users who prefer a dynamic configuration option.
Limited Out-of-the-Box Functionality dwm does not come with many features available in other window managers by default. Users might need to apply patches or write custom scripts to get additional functionality.
Fewer Graphical Tools Since dwm focuses on simplicity and minimalism, it lacks graphical configuration tools, which might deter non-technical users or those who prefer GUI-based management.
Compatibility Some applications may not play well with dwm's tiling mechanism, requiring additional configuration or even the use of floating mode for specific apps.
Easy-to-Use Interface Ghostty offers a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate, making it accessible for users of all experience levels.
Enhanced Privacy The platform emphasizes user privacy, ensuring that personal data is kept secure and not shared without consent.
Multiple Platforms Supported Ghostty supports a wide range of platforms, allowing users to connect and share content across different networks seamlessly.
Customizable Features Users have the option to customize settings and features, enabling them to tailor their experience to their specific needs.
Possible disadvantages
Limited Free Version The free version of Ghostty offers limited features, which may restrict functionality for users not willing to upgrade to a paid plan.
Occasional Downtime Some users have reported occasional downtime or connectivity issues, which can disrupt the user experience.
Learning Curve for Advanced Features While the basic interface is easy to use, some advanced features require a learning curve and may be more complex for new users.
Subscription Cost Users may find the subscription cost for premium features to be relatively high compared to similar services.
Analysis
An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.
dwmGhostty
Overall verdict
dwm is considered a good choice for users who value performance, simplicity, and customizability. However, it might not be suitable for everyone due to its steep learning curve and the requirement to modify its source code for customization.
Why this product is good
dwm (dynamic window manager) is known for its minimalistic design and efficient use of system resources. It is highly customizable through its source code, allowing users to tailor it to their needs. Being a product of the suckless community, it adheres to simplicity and clarity in its design philosophy, making it a favorite among users who prefer a no-frills, elegant solution to window management.
Recommended for
dwm is recommended for advanced users, programmers, and those who enjoy configuring software from the ground up. It's suitable for people who appreciate minimalism and have experience or a willingness to delve into coding and patching to achieve their desired setup.
Spectrwm is a fast, compact, and brief reparenting and tiling window manager for X11 that is inspired by xmonad and dwm. It was created to address the problems that xmonad and dwm have. Also check Fulfillify alternatives
spectrwm is a small, dynamic, xmonad, and dwm-inspired reparenting and tiling window manager built for X11 to be fast, compact, and concise. It was created with the aim of solving the issues of xmonad and dwm face.
DWM is, well, a dynamic window manager. Tiling isn’t the only way you can manage your windows. It’s also possible to lay the windows out in a floating or monocle style. All modifications to DWM can be done within its...
Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.
dwm70 mentionsGhostty33 mentions
OpenBSD 8.0
The best place to go for curated patches is here. You can customize these or roll your own once you have a chance to examine the source code. Dwm is very simple. https://dwm.suckless.org/.
- Source: Hacker News
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20 days ago
Caffeine.wiki/x220, where Rodrigo Franco (caffo) tuned Arch + dwm on a Thinkpad X220 for a cheap, durable and low-profile machine he could use anywhere (sketchy coffee shops included).
- Source: dev.to
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6 months ago
I can't remember the last time I resized a window. Does everyone not already install Magnet or an alternative first-thing to emulate the impeccable DWM? https://dwm.suckless.org/.
- Source: Hacker News
/
10 months ago
Ghostty, the terminal emulator by Mitchell Hashimoto, is one of my favorite examples of this split. Its core, libghostty, is written in Zig, exposes a C API, and handles terminal emulation, fonts, and rendering. On top of it sit a macOS...
- Source: dev.to
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4 days ago
Almost everything happens in a terminal, so the terminal matters. I use Ghostty because it's fast and feels native on macOS, which is exactly what you want from the tool you keep open all day.
- Source: dev.to
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7 days ago
I built a tmux sidebar that tells me which Claude Code session needs me
You need tmux 3.3+, jq, git, python3 and a logged-in Claude Code. Ghostty is recommended, but any terminal works if you start tmux yourself.
- Source: dev.to
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18 days ago
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