Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Openbox VS SizeUp

Compare Openbox VS SizeUp and see what are their differences

Openbox logo Openbox

Openbox is a highly configurable, next generation window manager with extensive standards support.

SizeUp logo SizeUp

SizeUp allows you to quickly resize and position your windows with keyboard shortcuts or a handy menu bar icon. Arranging windows on Mac OS X is tedious and imprecise.
  • Openbox Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-06
  • SizeUp Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-24

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.

SizeUp features and specs

  • Efficiency in Window Management
    SizeUp allows users to quickly and precisely arrange and manage their windows on macOS, which enhances productivity by reducing the time spent on organizing applications manually.
  • Keyboard Shortcuts
    It provides customizable keyboard shortcuts to manage windows, facilitating quicker navigation and allowing users to tailor the shortcuts to their preferences.
  • Versatile Window Arrangement
    The software offers various window arrangement options, such as halving, maximizing, centering, and sending windows to another monitor, thereby offering flexibility in how the workspace is set up.
  • Multi-Monitor Support
    SizeUp supports multiple monitors, which enhances its utility for users working with extensive setups and need seamless management across different screens.

Possible disadvantages of SizeUp

  • MacOS Only
    SizeUp is exclusively available for macOS, limiting its utility for users who work across multiple operating systems or primarily use Windows or Linux.
  • Paid Software
    SizeUp is not free, and while it offers a trial, there is a cost associated with continued use, which may be a barrier for some users.
  • Limited Customization Options
    Compared to some competitors, SizeUp may offer fewer customization options in terms of window resizing and management, potentially limiting advanced users who seek extensive control.
  • Potential Redundancy with Built-in macOS Features
    With macOS continually evolving, some users might find that native features fulfill their basic window management needs, making third-party solutions like SizeUp less necessary.

Analysis of Openbox

Overall verdict

  • Openbox is a great choice for users seeking a lightweight and highly customizable window management solution. Its performance benefits on lower-end hardware and flexibility make it a valuable tool for power users and enthusiasts alike.

Why this product is good

  • Openbox is a highly configurable and lightweight window manager for the X Window System. It's known for its speed and simplicity, allowing users to control their desktop environment efficiently. It provides a blank canvas for users wanting to customize their workspace, making it ideal for those who prefer a minimalist setup or have limited system resources. The configuration is done through plain text files, offering flexibility for advanced users who wish to personalize their user experience meticulously.

Recommended for

  • Advanced users looking for customization options
  • Users with older or less powerful hardware
  • Minimalists who prefer a robust yet simplistic interface
  • Linux enthusiasts who enjoy configuring their desktop environment
  • Developers and programmers who want a distraction-free workspace

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

SizeUp videos

SizeUp for Mac OS X by Irradiated Software

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Openbox and SizeUp)
Linux
100 100%
0% 0
Window Manager
67 67%
33% 33
Productivity
40 40%
60% 60
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 Openbox and SizeUp

Openbox Reviews

Top 10 Best Desktop Environments in 2020
People whoโ€™re deep into Linux, love Openboxโ€™s simplicity. Itโ€™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.

SizeUp Reviews

We have no reviews of SizeUp yet.
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What are some alternatives?

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

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

Moom - Move your mouse over the green zoom button in any window, and Moom's mouse control overlay will appear (as seen in the above animation).

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.

Hammerspoon - This is a tool for powerful automation of OS X.

Fluxbox - Fluxbox is a window manager for X that was based on the Blackbox 0.61.1 code.

Spectacle App - Move and resize windows with ease.