Software Alternatives & Startups
Register | Login

dwm VS Quickshell

Compare dwm VS Quickshell and see what are their differences

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.

Rating
0 reviews
Alternatives Is it good?
Quickshell

A Flexible toolkit for making desktop shells with QtQuick, targeting Wayland and X11.

No screenshot yet
Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
Alternatives Is it good?
ZeroTwo AI
ZeroTwo is a premium multi-provider AI platform which combines the tools models and features of Claude, Gemini, Grok, Openai and more into one. Canvas, Deep Research, MCP, Connectors, Agents, Projects and even Apps are all available in one place! sponsored
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, dwm seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 69 times since March 2021.

social mentions
69 vs 0
Linux popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
213 vs 41

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

dwm
Quickshell
Website dwm.suckless.org quickshell.outfoxxed.me
Pricing —
Open source
Listed in
Window Manager Linux Open Source Utilities +1
Productivity Note Taking LMS App Launcher +1

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

dwm 5 features
Quickshell 4 features
  • 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.
  • Ease of Use
    Quickshell is designed to simplify the shell experience, making it more user-friendly for both beginners and advanced users.
  • Customization
    The platform offers various customization options that allow users to tailor the interface and functionality to their specific needs.
  • Integration
    Quickshell integrates well with other tools and services, providing a seamless workflow for users who rely on multiple applications.
  • Performance
    It is optimized for speed and efficiency, ensuring that users can perform tasks quickly without unnecessary lag.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Advanced Features
    While it is user-friendly, Quickshell may lack some of the advanced features that experienced developers might require.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its ease of use, there might still be a learning curve for users who are completely new to shell environments.
  • Platform Dependency
    It might depend on specific platform requirements or compatibility, which could limit its usability across different systems.
  • Pricing
    If there is a cost associated, price could be a barrier for users looking for a free alternative.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

dwm
Quickshell

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.

Overall verdict

  • Quickshell is a solid, flexible toolkit for building custom desktop shells and widgets on Wayland (and X11) compositors using QtQuick/QML, making it a strong choice for Linux power users who want full control over their desktop environment.

Why this product is good

  • Built on QtQuick/QML, giving you a powerful and declarative way to design custom UI components
  • Designed to work with Wayland compositors like Hyprland, Sway, and others, filling a gap for customizable shells on modern Linux setups
  • Highly modular and hackable, letting you create bars, launchers, widgets, and other shell elements exactly how you want
  • Live-reloading and a developer-friendly workflow make iterating on your configuration faster
  • Open source and community-driven, with active development and documentation

Recommended for

  • Linux power users who want to build a fully custom desktop shell
  • Hyprland, Sway, and other Wayland compositor users seeking customizable bars and widgets
  • Developers comfortable with QML/QtQuick who enjoy tinkering with their environment
  • Ricing enthusiasts who want deep control over their desktop's look and behavior

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

dwm 3 videos + Add
Quickshell 2 videos + Add

dwm (suckless) - why I prefer it to i3 [ricing FreeBSD & OpenBSD]

More videos

  • - Super MINIMALIST tiling window manager - dwm
  • - Suckless's dwm: So easy even a caveman could do it!

Is Quickshell Worth It?

More videos

  • - End4 Hyprland Quickshell Rewrite is cool! | CachyOS | Hyprland |

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
dwm
Quickshell
100% 100%
Linux
0% 0%
57% 57%
Productivity
43% 43%
100% 100%
Window Manager
0% 0%
0% 0%
App Launcher
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using dwm and Quickshell. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

Log in or Post with

Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

dwm no reviews yet
Quickshell no reviews yet

We have no reviews of Quickshell yet. Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

dwm 69 mentions
Quickshell 0 mentions
  • Why I traded my custom "Opinionated Linux" for Omarchy
    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 / 5 months ago
  • The struggle of resizing windows on macOS Tahoe
    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 / 9 months ago
  • The Future Is Niri
    Hm, I am using [dwm](https://dwm.suckless.org/) with a custom keybinding to shift to the left or right workspace. That seems similar enough, other than the fact that changing the split ratio will affect all workspaces on dwm while on... - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago

View more

Tracking Quickshell since Jun 2025.

Alternatives to dwm and Quickshell

When comparing dwm and Quickshell, you can also consider the following products.

Loading...