Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

LXQt VS Openbox

Compare LXQt VS Openbox and see what are their differences

LXQt logo LXQt

The LXQt team is proud to announce the release of qtermwidget and qterminal, both in version 0. 8. 0. Read more..

Openbox logo Openbox

Openbox is a highly configurable, next generation window manager with extensive standards support.
  • LXQt Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-11-24
  • Openbox Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-06

LXQt features and specs

  • Lightweight Performance
    LXQt is designed to be a lightweight desktop environment, which means it consumes fewer system resources compared to other environments like GNOME or KDE Plasma. This makes it an excellent choice for older hardware or systems with limited resources.
  • Modularity
    LXQt is highly modular, allowing users to pick and choose the components they need. This flexibility can lead to a more customized and efficient system.
  • Quick and Responsive
    Due to its lightweight nature, LXQt tends to be very quick and responsive, leading to a smoother user experience, especially on less powerful machines.
  • Qt Framework
    Being based on the Qt framework, LXQt benefits from Qt’s powerful libraries and tools, leading to a potentially richer and more consistent user experience.
  • Active Development
    LXQt is under active development, which means it receives regular updates, bug fixes, and improvements, ensuring it remains relevant and stable.
  • Customizability
    The environment offers a significant level of customizability, allowing users to tweak the interface to their liking without consuming too many resources.
  • Better Integration with KDE Applications
    LXQt can integrate better with KDE applications due to its use of the Qt framework, making for a more seamless experience if you rely on those applications.

Possible disadvantages of LXQt

  • Lack of Features
    Compared to more extensive desktop environments like GNOME or KDE Plasma, LXQt may lack certain advanced features and functionalities, which some users might miss.
  • Aesthetics
    While functional, LXQt's default aesthetic might be seen as less polished or modern compared to other desktop environments. Users may need to invest time in customizing the look.
  • Smaller Community
    LXQt has a smaller user base and community compared to major desktop environments. This can mean fewer available resources, themes, and community support.
  • Application Ecosystem
    The ecosystem of applications specifically designed for or optimized for LXQt is smaller compared to environments like GNOME or KDE Plasma.
  • Potential Qt Issues
    Being based on the Qt framework can sometimes lead to compatibility issues or inconsistencies, especially when mixing and matching applications from different desktop environments.
  • Complex Customization
    Though customizable, LXQt’s customization options can sometimes be less straightforward or user-friendly compared to other environments, potentially leading to a steeper learning curve for new users.
  • Less Frequent Updates
    While under active development, LXQt doesn't receive updates as frequently as some other desktop environments, which might lead to slower integration of new features.

Openbox features and specs

  • Lightweight
    Openbox is a highly efficient window manager that requires minimal system resources, making it an excellent choice for older hardware or systems with limited resources.
  • Customizable
    Openbox offers extensive customization options, allowing users to tailor the look and feel of their desktop environment to their specific preferences.
  • Fast Performance
    Due to its lightweight nature, Openbox provides fast and responsive performance, resulting in quicker application launches and smoother overall desktop experience.
  • Comprehensive Keybindings
    Openbox supports complex keybindings, enabling power users to create efficient workflow setups through keyboard shortcuts.
  • Extensible
    Openbox can work seamlessly with other tools and additional software, allowing users to extend its capabilities with tools like panels, widgets, and additional plugins.

Possible disadvantages of Openbox

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Openbox requires a more hands-on approach and can be challenging for beginners to set up and configure due to its extensive customization options.
  • Limited Out-of-the-box Features
    Unlike full desktop environments, Openbox does not come with many built-in features, requiring users to install and configure additional software to achieve a fully functional desktop.
  • No Desktop Icons by Default
    Openbox does not support desktop icons natively, so users need to rely on additional tools like 'xfdesktop' or 'pcmanfm' to add this functionality.
  • Minimalistic Appearance
    While some users appreciate the minimalistic look, others might find it too bare-bones compared to more feature-rich environments like GNOME or KDE.
  • Manual Configuration
    Most customizations in Openbox require editing configuration files manually, which can be time-consuming and error-prone for users unfamiliar with text-based configurations.

LXQt videos

Lubuntu 18.10 Review - Now with LXQt Desktop

More videos:

  • Review - LXQt review!
  • Review - Debian 10.2 LXQT the Most Up-To-Date Desktop Environment
  • Review - Lubuntu 21.04 overview | Welcome to the Next Universe.

Openbox videos

Get Rid Of That Bloated Desktop Environment And Install Openbox

More videos:

  • Review - Manjaro Openbox: First Impressions and Review
  • Tutorial - Openbox V8S Review- How to get Free TV!!!
  • Review - Open Box Review (Bx8 M-Audio Speakers) #Openbox #SpeakerReview
  • Review - Openbox A1 - Review
  • Review - OPEN BOX - @ikmultimedia TONEX #fyp #opening #openbox #review #guitar

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to LXQt and Openbox)
Linux
47 47%
53% 53
Desktop Environments
80 80%
20% 20
Window Manager
30 30%
70% 70
Operating Systems
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 LXQt and Openbox

LXQt Reviews

9 Best Linux Desktop Environments to Use in 2023
LXQT is another fantastic lightweight desktop environment. LXQT is a modern edition of LXDE that is suited for cloud servers and outdated infrastructure owing to its low RAM and CPU usage. LXQT is unmatched in its capacity to perform on even the most primitive devices.
Source: geekflare.com
The 8 Best Ubuntu Desktop Environments (22.04 Jammy Jellyfish Linux)
LXQt is a default desktop environment on Lubuntu. One of the features of LXQt is that it has comparatively low resource requirements.
Source: linuxconfig.org
The 12 Best Linux Desktop Environments
LXQt is one of the lightest Linux desktop environments on the list, so it is created by the merger between LXDE’s Qt port and Razor-Qt. In case you don’t like Lubuntu, it will be hard to build interest in LXQt because it is quite similar to Lubuntu.
Source: linuxhint.com
The Best Desktop Environments For Linux (We Tested Them So That You Don’t Have To)
Even though LXQt tries to present a modern look without comprising the performance, it is still not the most intuitive experience out there. Of course, if you need performance over the look and feel, LXQt is an impressive choice.
Source: itsfoss.com

Openbox Reviews

Top 10 Best Desktop Environments in 2020
People who’re deep into Linux, love Openbox’s simplicity. It’s extremely lightweight, and comes with only a text-based right-click menu that lists all your applications. The menu is customizable too, and you can add scripts or functions within the menu as a link.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing LXQt and Openbox, you can also consider the following products

Xfce - Xfce is a lightweight desktop environment for UNIX-like operating systems. It aims to be fast and low on system resources, while still being visually appealing and user friendly.

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

KDE Plasma Desktop - Plasma Workspaces is the umbrella term for all graphical environments provided by KDE.

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.

LXDE - Why will you like it? Less resource needs. You can use it on your less-pricey embedded board or salvaged computer. Component-based design. Don't want something in LXDE, or you don't want to use LXDE but only part of it?

awesome - A dynamic window manager for the X Window System developed in the C and Lua programming languages.