Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

spectrwm VS xfdashboard

Compare spectrwm VS xfdashboard and see what are their differences

spectrwm logo spectrwm

spectrwm is a small dynamic tiling window manager for X11.

xfdashboard logo xfdashboard

xfdashboard provides a GMONE shell dashboard like interface for use with the Xfce desktop.
  • spectrwm Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-01
  • xfdashboard Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-12

spectrwm features and specs

  • Lightweight
    spectrwm is designed to be a minimalistic and lightweight window manager, which results in fast performance and low system resource consumption.
  • Keyboard-driven
    It has strong keyboard-focused navigation, allowing users to efficiently manage windows and enhance productivity without relying on a mouse.
  • Customizability
    Users can customize key bindings and appearance by editing a straightforward configuration file, providing flexibility to tailor the window manager to individual preferences.
  • Multi-head support
    spectrwm provides built-in support for multiple monitors, making it a good choice for users who require multi-display setups.
  • Scriptable
    The window manager supports scripting, which lets users automate tasks and create custom scripts to further extend functionality.

Possible disadvantages of spectrwm

  • Steeper learning curve
    The lack of a graphical user interface might pose a challenge for new users, as it requires familiarity with configuration files and command-line operations.
  • Requires manual configuration
    Initial setup may require manual editing of configuration files, which can be inconvenient for users who prefer plug-and-play solutions.
  • Limited features out-of-the-box
    Compared to more comprehensive desktop environments, spectrwm might lack certain features and conveniences that users expect, requiring additional setup and configuration.
  • Community and support
    Being one of several niche tiling window managers, it might not have as large a community or extensive documentation as some other options, potentially making it harder to find support.

xfdashboard features and specs

  • Visual Appeal
    xfdashboard provides a visually appealing navigational interface similar to GNOME Shell, with features like an application launcher and window switcher.
  • Customization
    Offers customization options allowing users to modify the dashboard's appearance and behavior to suit their personal preferences.
  • Integration with XFCE
    Designed to work seamlessly with the XFCE desktop environment, providing a more dynamic workflow without extensive resource usage.
  • Improved Workflow
    Enhances the desktop experience by enabling quick and easy access to running applications and system functions, thus improving productivity.

Possible disadvantages of xfdashboard

  • Resource Usage
    Despite being more lightweight than some other dashboard alternatives, xfdashboard may still consume more system resources than traditional XFCE components.
  • Limited Functionality
    Compared to native GNOME Shell or KDE Plasma, xfdashboard might offer fewer features and integrations.
  • Potential Stability Issues
    Like many add-ons, there can be occasional stability or compatibility issues, especially with updates in the XFCE environment.
  • Learning Curve
    Users accustomed to the traditional XFCE desktop might need some time to adjust to the new interface and workflow changes brought by xfdashboard.

spectrwm videos

Spectrwm Is An Impressive Tiling Window Manager

More videos:

  • Review - Spectrwm - More Adventures in Tiling WM Land
  • Review - Discovered Some Cool Stuff In Spectrwm and Qtile

xfdashboard videos

xfdashboard Installation & Review

More videos:

  • Review - Quick Look: xfdashboard
  • Review - xfdashboard - XFCE's Gnome Shell Dashboard - Linux XFCE

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to spectrwm and xfdashboard)
Window Manager
67 67%
33% 33
Linux
72 72%
28% 28
Note Taking
0 0%
100% 100
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 spectrwm and xfdashboard

spectrwm Reviews

Top 13 Best Tiling Window Managers For Linux In 2022
spectrwm has a plain text configuration file, defaults that are identical to xmonad and dwm, and built-in keyboard shortcuts. Other features include colour and border width customization, drag-to-float, quick launch menu customization, adjustable status bar, dynamic RandR compatibility, and more.
Source: www.hubtech.org
13 Best Tiling Window Managers for Linux
spectrwm uses a plain text configuration file, boasts defaults similar to those in xmonad and dwm, and features built-in keyboard shortcuts. Its other features include customizable colors and border width, drag-to-float, quick launch menu, customizable status bar, dynamic RandR support, etc.
Source: www.tecmint.com

xfdashboard Reviews

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

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, spectrwm seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 12 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.

spectrwm mentions (12)

  • GTK Krell Monitors
    Does not help you but the question nerd sniped me to try it as an exercise in my preferred tiling WM spectrwm. https://github.com/conformal/spectrwm in .spectrwmrc add
        #shrink the region by 112 to allow space for the widget.
    - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • Rubywm: An X11 window manager in pure Ruby
    I am not sure what you want out of I3, but if it is "i3 configuration is too complicated" might I suggest spectrwm. I like it because it hits that sweet spot for a tilling WM between "more configurable than dwm" and "less configurable than i3" https://github.com/conformal/spectrwm Plus I find it handles multiple monitors well. - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • Ask HN: Why does Apple refuse to add window snapping to macOS?
    I use the tiling WM spectrwm. It lets me pull windows out of tiling mode and into window mode. I think a common operation on most tiling window managers. Most of the time I don't want overlapping windows(thus the tiling WM) but every once in a while I do, so the best of both worlds. It is a bit obscure but I quite like spectrwm, it fills this sweet spot where it is much simpler than I3 but much more feature... - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • Easy window manager?
    Spectrwm is by far the easiest WM I've tested. Also Fluxbox is pretty much straightforward. Source: almost 4 years ago
  • Which WM should I use ?
    Spectrwm is by far the most beginner-friendly WM I've ever tested. Im now running EXWM the buffers management is something else. Source: almost 4 years ago
View more

xfdashboard mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of xfdashboard yet. Tracking of xfdashboard recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing spectrwm and xfdashboard, you can also consider the following products

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.

ActiveDock - Application Launcher, improved Dock for macOS, alternative to Apple Dock, uBar, HyperDock

bspwm - A tiling window manager based on binary space partitioning

Compiz - Project information. Maintainer: PS Project Management Team. Driver: Compiz Maintainers. Licence: GNU GPL v2, GNU LGPL v2. 1, MIT / X / Expat Licence.

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

pekwm - pekwm is a window manager that once up on a time was based on the aewm++ window manager, but it has...