Software Alternatives & Startups

Sway VS Solid Explorer

Compare Sway VS Solid Explorer and see what are their differences

Sway

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

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
Solid Explorer

Solid Explorer is a powerful Android file manager featuring access to most popular cloud storages, root access and easy extensibility.

Rating
0 reviews
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, Sway seems to be a lot more popular than Solid Explorer. While we know about 53 links to Sway, we've tracked only 1 mention of Solid Explorer.

social mentions
53 vs 1
Health And Fitness popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
185 vs 110

Base details

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

Sway
Solid Explorer
Website swaywm.org neatbytes.com
Pricing
Open source
—
Company Startup from the United States —
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Sway 6 features
Solid Explorer 6 features
  • Wayland Compatibility
    Sway is a compositor for Wayland, providing better performance and security compared to the X11 system.
  • i3 Compatibility
    Sway is designed to be compatible with i3 window manager configurations, making it easy for i3 users to transition.
  • Lightweight
    Sway is known for being lightweight and efficient, using fewer system resources compared to other compositors.
  • Customizability
    Similar to i3, Sway offers extensive customization options for users to tailor their environment.
  • Active Development
    Sway has an active development community, ensuring regular updates, bug fixes, and new features.
  • Enhances Security
    Being built on Wayland, Sway provides better isolation of processes, improving overall system security.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Application Support
    Some applications, especially older ones, may not be fully compatible with Wayland, causing issues when running on Sway.
  • Steeper Learning Curve
    New users, particularly those unfamiliar with i3, might find Sway's configuration and usage initially challenging.
  • Wayland Limitations
    Wayland, while improving, still lacks some features and extensions available in X11, which might affect some workflows.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    Wayland compositors like Sway can sometimes have issues with specific hardware, particularly older or less common configurations.
  • Fewer Tiling Window Manager Users
    The number of users preferring tiling window managers is smaller, potentially making it harder to find community support compared to more popular desktop environments.
  • User Interface
    Solid Explorer has a clean and visually appealing user interface that supports both light and dark themes, making it pleasant to use.
  • Dual-pane mode
    The app supports a dual-pane mode, which allows you to manage files in two different locations simultaneously, enhancing productivity.
  • Cloud Storage Integration
    Solid Explorer supports a wide range of cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and more, allowing for seamless file management across different platforms.
  • File Encryption
    The app includes features for encrypting and decrypting files, providing an extra layer of security for sensitive information.
  • Customization Options
    Solid Explorer offers extensive customization options, allowing users to change themes, icon sets, and layout to fit their preference.
  • Root Access
    It supports root access for rooted devices, enabling advanced file management tasks such as modifying system files.

Possible disadvantages

  • Payment Required
    Solid Explorer offers a 14-day trial period, after which a one-time payment is required to continue using the app, which might deter some users.
  • Occasional Bugs
    Some users have reported occasional bugs and crashes, which can disrupt the file management experience.
  • Storage Permissions
    The app requires extensive storage permissions, which some users might find concerning from a privacy standpoint.
  • Resource Intensive
    Solid Explorer can be resource-intensive, consuming more battery and memory compared to some of its competitors.
  • Limited Free Features
    While the app is feature-rich, the free version has limited functionalities, which could be a downside for users not willing to pay.

Analysis

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

Sway
Solid Explorer

Overall verdict

  • Sway is generally well-regarded in the Linux community, especially among users who appreciate the flexibility and speed of a tiling window manager. It effectively bridges the gap for those who want the i3 experience with Wayland's benefits.

Why this product is good

  • Sway is a tiling window manager that is known for its efficiency and customizability, and it is designed for use with Wayland. It offers a similar experience to the i3 window manager but for those who want to use Wayland. Sway allows users to completely configure their desktop environment and supports various i3-compatible configurations and scripts. It provides a fast, lightweight, and modern approach for users who prefer a tiling window management system.

Recommended for

  • Users who enjoy i3 and want to transition to Wayland.
  • Linux users seeking a lightweight and efficient window management experience.
  • Advanced users who appreciate configuration and scripting flexibility.
  • Those who prefer keyboard-centric navigation over a graphical interface.

Overall verdict

  • Solid Explorer is generally considered a good file management app, appreciated for its comprehensive functionality and ease of use. It is well-regarded for providing solid performance and reliability.

Why this product is good

  • Solid Explorer is popular for its clean and intuitive user interface, robust file management features, and strong support for cloud storage integration. It offers dual-pane navigation, file encryption, and extensive customization options, making it versatile for various file management needs.

Recommended for

  • Users looking for a feature-rich file manager with cloud integration
  • Those who appreciate customizable interfaces
  • Users who need efficient file management on Android devices
  • Individuals looking for secure file encryption options

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Sway 5 videos + Add
Solid Explorer 3 videos + Add

Sway beats Powerpoint for these 4 reasons (Microsoft Office 365).

More videos

  • - VOD REVIEW: IS FAZE SWAY BEING COACHED 🎮 BY FAZE BIZZLE WORTH IT? (Full Game)
  • - Microsoft Sway Hands On Review!
  • - Sway by Mitchell Bubble
  • - SWAY HOUSE TOUR FORTNITE

Es File Explorer Vs Solid Explorer

More videos

  • - 8 Cool Things You Can do with Solid Explorer - Best ES File Explorer Alternative
  • - best paid android apps 2016 - Solid explorer file manager (Review, Pros, Cons, Does It Worth It)

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
Sway
Solid Explorer
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Sway and Solid Explorer. 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.

Sway no reviews yet
Solid Explorer no reviews yet

Social recommendations and mentions

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

Sway 53 mentions
Solid Explorer 1 mention
  • Pomodoro Timer: Waybar and uair
    I am currently using uair integrated in to my Waybar running on my sway window manager. I use it similar to the way I use watson (both as a CLI tool with Waybar integrations), so it is a good fit for me. - Source: dev.to / about 2 years ago
  • "We understand" ;)
    This is partially why I use tools like i3 (/ sway). I like the tool; it works extremely well for me; the design has stayed the same for 20 years; there's no profit motive to come along and fuck everything up. It just works. It is boring... Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Framework 13 with AMD Ryzen 7040 Series Makes for a Great Linux Laptop
    I've tested using i3 but never fully got into it. But my plan for the F13 is to try out Hyprland[0] and perhaps Sway[1]. [0] https://hyprland.org/ [1] https://swaywm.org/. - Source: Hacker News / almost 3 years ago

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Alternatives to Sway and Solid Explorer

When comparing Sway and Solid Explorer, you can also consider the following products.