Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

MicroXWin VS bspwm

Compare MicroXWin VS bspwm and see what are their differences

MicroXWin logo MicroXWin

MicroXWin is a web-based platform that is used for the deployment of X Window systems on various devices such as desktops, mobile phones, etc.

bspwm logo bspwm

A tiling window manager based on binary space partitioning
  • MicroXWin Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-02
  • bspwm Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-14

MicroXWin features and specs

  • Lightweight
    MicroXWin is designed to be a lightweight windowing system, meaning it consumes fewer resources compared to larger X server implementations. This can be particularly beneficial for devices with limited resources such as embedded systems.
  • Speed
    Due to its smaller size and reduced resource requirements, MicroXWin can perform operations faster than more resource-intensive windowing systems, leading to quicker boot times and improved responsiveness.
  • Simplicity
    MicroXWin's simplistic design makes it easier to configure and maintain, especially for projects that do not require the full capabilities of a larger X Window System.
  • Embedding
    Its lightweight and efficient nature makes it ideal for embedding in devices where minimal overhead is crucial, such as IoT devices or specific industrial applications.

Possible disadvantages of MicroXWin

  • Limited Features
    MicroXWin may not include all the features and capabilities available in full-fledged X server implementations, potentially limiting its use in more complex applications.
  • Compatibility
    Due to its minimal nature, MicroXWin might not be fully compatible with all applications or third-party tools designed to work with a standard X Window System.
  • Community and Support
    A smaller user base and community could mean less support and fewer community-driven resources or development projects compared to more widely used systems.
  • Scalability
    While excellent for smaller applications, MicroXWin might not scale effectively for larger, more demanding applications or environments that require more robust window management capabilities.

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 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

MicroXWin videos

MicroXwin Debian/Android Unified Distribution Running on MK808 mini PC

More videos:

  • Review - Xorg X11 versus MicroXwin on Xubuntu Precise
  • Review - MicroXwin and XFCE performance on Allwinner A20

bspwm videos

Switching To Bspwm - Initial Thoughts

More videos:

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to MicroXWin and bspwm)
Window Manager
13 13%
87% 87
OS & Utilities
100 100%
0% 0
Linux
17 17%
83% 83
Utilities
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

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

MicroXWin Reviews

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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, bspwm seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 21 times since March 2021. 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.

MicroXWin mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of MicroXWin yet. Tracking of MicroXWin recommendations started around Jun 2023.

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 / 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 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 3 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

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

Mir - The purpose of Mir is to enable the development of user interfaces shells.

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

Y Window System - Y Window System is a platform that allows you to improve the speed, working, and efficiency of the application in your operating system and helps you to increase the responsiveness of applications similar to any locally based app.

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

DirectFB - DirectFB is a web-based platform that provides you with complete access to a software library that you can use for the acceleration of graphics, handling the input devices, and others for your Linux operating systems.

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.