Software Alternatives & Startups

phpIPAM VS i3

Compare phpIPAM VS i3 and see what are their differences

phpIPAM

phpipam is an open-source web IP address management application (IPAM).

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
i3

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

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
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, i3 should be more popular than phpIPAM. It has been mentioned 93 times since March 2021.

social mentions
19 vs 93
Monitoring Tools popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
66 vs 112

Base details

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

phpIPAM
i3
Website phpipam.net i3wm.org
Pricing
Open source
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

phpIPAM 6 features
i3 6 features
  • Open Source
    phpIPAM is an open source IP address management (IPAM) software, which means that it's freely available and can be modified to suit specific needs without any licensing fees.
  • Web-Based Interface
    The tool provides a user-friendly, web-based interface that enables easy access and management of IP addresses from anywhere with an internet connection.
  • Feature-Rich
    phpIPAM comes with a comprehensive set of features, including VLAN management, subnet management, and device tracking, which are essential for effective network management.
  • Integrations
    phpIPAM supports various integrations with other systems, such as DNS servers and DHCP servers, to provide a more cohesive and automated network management experience.
  • Active Community Support
    There is an active community around phpIPAM that contributes to its development and provides support, making it easier to find solutions to common problems.
  • Scalability
    The software is designed to scale well, making it suitable for both small and large networks without significant performance degradation.

Possible disadvantages

  • Complex Installation
    Setting up phpIPAM may require some technical know-how, particularly in configuring web servers, databases, and ensuring all dependencies are met.
  • Limited Vendor Support
    As an open source project, phpIPAM might not offer the same level of professional support and documentation as some commercial IPAM solutions.
  • User Interface
    While functional, the user interface of phpIPAM may not be as polished or intuitive as some other commercial alternatives, which can affect user experience.
  • Update Management
    Managing updates and ensuring compatibility with existing systems can require careful planning and can sometimes lead to disruptions.
  • Learning Curve
    New users, especially those without a background in network management, may find the learning curve steep, requiring time to fully grasp all the available features.
  • Efficient Window Management
    i3 allows for highly efficient window management using a tree data structure, making it easy to snap windows into grids and manage multiple applications simultaneously.
  • Lightweight
    i3 is deliberately simplistic and lightweight, which allows it to run efficiently on older hardware or systems with limited resources.
  • Customizability
    Users can extensively customize keybindings and behavior through a plain text configuration file. This allows for a personalized workflow.
  • Keyboard-Centric
    i3 is designed to be used primarily through keyboard shortcuts, which can lead to increased productivity for advanced users.
  • Scriptability
    i3 supports various scripting languages through its IPC (Inter-process Communication) interface, enabling automation of complex workflows.
  • Community and Documentation
    i3 has strong community support and extensive documentation, making it easier for new users to learn and troubleshoot issues.

Possible disadvantages

  • Steep Learning Curve
    New users may find i3 difficult to learn and configure, especially if they are accustomed to traditional desktop environments.
  • Lack of GUI Configuration Tools
    i3 relies heavily on manual edits to text files for configuration, lacking user-friendly graphical interfaces for setup and customization.
  • Limited Out-of-the-Box Features
    i3 does not come with many built-in features available in more comprehensive desktop environments, such as app launchers or system tray support, requiring additional setups.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Some applications may not play well with tiling window managers like i3, requiring workarounds or alternative software choices.
  • Minimal Default Appearance
    Without customization, i3 offers a very minimalistic and barebones visual experience, which may not be appealing to all users.

Analysis

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

phpIPAM
i3

Overall verdict

  • phpIPAM is generally considered a good solution for IP address management, especially for organizations looking for an open-source and cost-effective tool. It effectively balances functionality, usability, and flexibility, making it suitable for a variety of network environments.

Why this product is good

  • Features
    It offers a comprehensive set of features such as IP address management, VLAN management, devices, racks, and circuit management, which are essential for network administrators.
  • Usability
    phpIPAM provides a user-friendly interface for managing and tracking IP addresses. Its web-based interface makes it accessible across different platforms.
  • Integration
    phpIPAM can integrate with other tools and services, such as DHCP servers, DNS servers, and cloud platforms, enhancing its functionality within a network environment.
  • Open source
    As an open-source project, phpIPAM allows for customization and extension by users, ensuring it can be tailored to specific organizational needs.

Recommended for

  • Network administrators in small to medium-sized enterprises
  • Organizations that need a cost-effective IP address management solution
  • IT professionals seeking an open-source tool with customization capabilities
  • Teams requiring a web-based IPAM solution that integrates with existing network infrastructure

Overall verdict

  • Yes, i3 is considered a very good window manager for users who appreciate its minimalist and efficient approach. Its lightweight design keeps resource usage low, which can improve performance on less powerful machines.

Why this product is good

  • i3wm is known for its simplicity, speed, and efficient use of screen space, making it a popular choice among power users and developers who prefer a keyboard-driven workspace. Its tiling feature allows for the seamless organization of multiple windows, enhancing productivity and multitasking. Furthermore, it is highly customizable, allowing users to tailor their workspace to their specific needs.

Recommended for

    i3wm is recommended for advanced users, developers, and anyone who prefers a keyboard-centric interface. It is ideal for users who like to customize their environment extensively and are comfortable with configuring software via text files. New users with a willingness to learn may also find it rewarding.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

phpIPAM 3 videos + Add
i3 5 videos + Add

IPAM Server mit phpIPAM - IP adress management

More videos

  • - Foreman Integration with phpIPAM
  • - Apresentação PHPiPAM para provedores!

30k Miles with the BMW i3 - End of Lease Review

More videos

  • - 2016 BMW i3 - Review and Road Test
  • - 2018 BMW i3s Range Extender (REx) Review - The Future Of Cars?
  • - Gaming With Intel's Core i3 9100F - The First Turbo Boosted Desktop i3
  • - The best EV for the money? Used BMW i3 Review

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
phpIPAM
i3
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using phpIPAM and i3. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

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

phpIPAM no reviews yet
i3 no reviews yet

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Social recommendations and mentions

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

phpIPAM 19 mentions
i3 93 mentions
  • Recommended free on-prem IPAM with integrated DNS solution?
    PHPIPAM does that, plus hardware inventory and racks (you assign the IP to a pice of hardware then put it on a rack and get rack diagram). It does also vLANs, VRF, circuits... Source: over 3 years ago
  • Looking for IPAM tools
    Given he info you provided, I would say phpipam. It is web base and very light on resources. I don't know if this counts in your portability requirement. https://phpipam.net/. Source: over 3 years ago
  • What is everyone using for IPAM (IP Management) for their home networks/labs ?
    Other than that, we use PHP IPAM at work. https://phpipam.net It’s fine. Source: over 3 years ago

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  • My journey to "I use arch btw"
    In my case, I decided to go with a compositor instead of desktop environment. I have already used others windows tilling managers such as i3wm. This time, I want something that has more features out-of-the-box. - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago
  • Why I traded my custom "Opinionated Linux" for Omarchy
    I've been using Omarchy as my main setup since June 26, 2025, the day DHH released the first version. Before that I had my own custom Opinionated Linux, mclovin-ARCHived: an Arch + i3wm installer set up exactly the way I liked. It was... - Source: dev.to / 6 months ago
  • Omarcacca
    Then few years back, in 2015, I got shown i3wm and used it on my ubuntu-netinstall until 2020, then I switched to Budgie and my personal laptop has been using that ever since. - Source: dev.to / 10 months ago

View more

Alternatives to phpIPAM and i3

When comparing phpIPAM and i3, you can also consider the following products.

  • NetBox

    NetBox is an open source web application designed to help manage and document computer networks. NetBox was developed specifically to address the needs of network and infrastructure engineers.

    Compare NetBox to phpIPAM or i3:

  • Sway

    Sway is a drop-in replacement for the i3 window manager, but for Wayland instead of X11.

    Compare Sway to phpIPAM or i3:

  • ManageEngine OpUtils

    ManageEngine OpUtils is an IP address and Switch port management software that includes a comprehensive set of 30+ tools that helps network engineers monitor, diagnose and troubleshoot their IT resources.

    Compare ManageEngine OpUtils to phpIPAM or i3:

  • 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.

    Compare dwm to phpIPAM or i3:

  • SolarWinds IPAM

    Find out about getting started with IP Address Manager, including the latest release notes and documentation as well as training and helpful articles on how to best run SolarWinds IP Address Manager (IPAM).

    Compare SolarWinds IPAM to phpIPAM or i3:

  • Openbox

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

    Compare Openbox to phpIPAM or i3: