Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Waybar VS xfce-panel

Compare Waybar VS xfce-panel and see what are their differences

Waybar logo Waybar

Highly customizable Wayland bar for Sway and Wlroots based compositors. :v: :tada: - GitHub - Alexays/Waybar: Highly customizable Wayland bar for Sway and Wlroots based compositors.

xfce-panel logo xfce-panel

Xfce componet to switch between opened windows, launch applications, switch workspaces and menu plugins to browse applications or directories.
  • Waybar Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-18
  • xfce-panel Landing page
    Landing page //
    2025-06-30

Waybar features and specs

  • Highly Customizable
    Waybar provides extensive customization options that allow users to modify almost every aspect of its appearance and functionality to suit their personal preferences.
  • Support for Multiple Modules
    It supports a wide range of modules including system status indicators such as CPU usage, memory consumption, network activity, and more, offering users comprehensive system monitoring.
  • Supports Wayland Compositors
    Waybar is specifically designed for use with Wayland-based compositors, making it an ideal choice for users transitioning away from X11.
  • Active Development
    The project is actively maintained and regularly updated, ensuring compatibility with the latest software updates and the continuous improvement of features.
  • Community Support
    Waybar has an active community on GitHub and other platforms, providing users with the opportunity to engage, ask questions, or seek help with any issues.

Possible disadvantages of Waybar

  • Complex Configuration
    The initial setup and configuration of Waybar can be complex and overwhelming, especially for users who are not familiar with JSON or configuration files.
  • Limited Out-of-the-box Functionality
    New users may find that Waybar requires significant customization to be fully functional, as its out-of-the-box settings may not meet everyone's needs.
  • Wayland-Only
    Since Waybar is designed specifically for Wayland, it may not be suitable for users who rely on X11 or systems that do not support Wayland.
  • Dependency on Third-party Tools
    Many Waybar modules rely on external tools and scripts for information, requiring users to install and configure additional software to make full use of its capabilities.

xfce-panel features and specs

  • Lightweight
    Xfce-panel is designed to be lightweight, making it an ideal choice for systems with limited resources or users looking for a fast and efficient desktop environment.
  • Highly Configurable
    Users can easily configure the xfce-panel to suit their needs by adding, removing, or rearranging applets and components.
  • Plugin Support
    Xfce-panel supports numerous plugins, allowing users to extend its functionality with additional features like weather updates, system monitoring, and more.
  • Stable and Reliable
    Xfce-panel is known for its stability and has a long history of reliable service, making it a dependable component for daily use.
  • Consistent User Experience
    The panel offers a consistent and intuitive user experience that aligns with the overall design philosophy of the XFCE desktop environment.

Possible disadvantages of xfce-panel

  • Limited Eye Candy
    Xfce-panel is designed with performance in mind, leading to a more simplistic visual appearance which may not appeal to users who prefer more visually rich environments.
  • Less Modern Look
    Compared to other desktop environments, the xfce-panel might appear somewhat dated, which may not be ideal for users seeking a modern aesthetic.
  • Fewer Advanced Features
    While it covers the basics well, xfce-panel might lack some of the advanced features found in panels from other desktop environments like GNOME or KDE.
  • Limited Development Speed
    The development pace of Xfce-panel can be slower compared to other popular desktop panels, which might delay the introduction of new features.

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Waybar and xfce-panel)
Productivity
54 54%
46% 46
App Launcher
52 52%
48% 48
Note Taking
54 54%
46% 46
LMS
50 50%
50% 50

User comments

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Waybar and xfce-panel, you can also consider the following products

wf-shell - wf-shell is a repository which contains the various components needed to built a fully functional DE based around wayfire. Currently it has only a GTK-based panel and background client.

Yambar - Modular status panel for X11 and Wayland, inspired by polybar.

slstatus - slstatus is a status monitor for window managers that use WM_NAME or stdin to fill the status bar.

ironbar - Customisable Wayland gtk bar written in Rust.

Polybar - Status bar for Unix-like systems.

nwg-panel - Nwg-panel is a GTK3-based panel for sway and Hyprland Wayland compositors. The panel is equipped with a graphical configuration program that frees the user from the need to manually edit configuration files.