Software Alternatives & Startups

WindowGrid VS Xmonad

Compare WindowGrid VS Xmonad and see what are their differences

WindowGrid

Quickly and easily layout windows on a dynamic grid using just the mouse.

Rating
0 reviews
Xmonad

xmonad is a dynamically tiling X11 window manager that is written and configured in Haskell.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Xmonad should be more popular than WindowGrid. It has been mentioned 15 times since March 2021.

social mentions
7 vs 15
Window Manager popularity
43% vs 57%
alternatives listed
91 vs 76

Base details

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

WindowGrid
Xmonad
Website windowgrid.net xmonad.org
Pricing —
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

WindowGrid 5 features
Xmonad 5 features
  • Free to Use
    WindowGrid is available as a free tool, making it accessible for all users without any cost.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The software provides an intuitive interface that is easy to navigate, allowing users to quickly learn how to use the application.
  • Customizable Grid Layouts
    WindowGrid allows users to customize their grid layouts, providing flexibility in organizing and managing window positions.
  • Lightweight Application
    The tool is lightweight and does not consume significant system resources, making it a suitable choice for users with lower-end hardware.
  • Improved Productivity
    By simplifying window management, WindowGrid can help enhance productivity as users can efficiently organize their workspace.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Features
    Compared to more robust window management tools, WindowGrid offers fewer features and customization options.
  • Windows-Only
    WindowGrid is only available for the Windows operating system, which limits its usability for Mac and Linux users.
  • No Frequent Updates
    The software does not receive updates regularly, which may result in compatibility issues with newer versions of Windows or lack of new features.
  • No Support for Multiple Displays
    WindowGrid has limited functionality when it comes to managing windows across multiple displays, which can be a drawback for users with multi-monitor setups.
  • No Customer Support
    The tool lacks formal customer support, which may make it difficult for users to resolve any issues they encounter while using the software.
  • Highly Customizable
    Xmonad is written in Haskell and allows for extensive customization. Users can write custom configurations and extensions to tailor the window manager to their exact needs.
  • Efficient and Minimalist
    Xmonad is designed to be efficient and lightweight. It uses minimal system resources, making it ideal for older hardware or systems where performance is a priority.
  • Keyboard-Centric
    Xmonad is optimized for keyboard operation, providing a highly efficient and fast way to manage windows without relying on a mouse, which can improve productivity.
  • Tiling Window Manager
    As a tiling window manager, Xmonad automatically arranges windows to use screen space efficiently, reducing the need to manually resize and position windows.
  • Stable and Reliable
    Xmonad is known for its stability and reliability, with a strong track record of stable releases and robust performance.

Possible disadvantages

  • Steep Learning Curve
    New users may find Xmonad difficult to learn due to its reliance on Haskell for customization and a lack of graphical configuration tools.
  • Limited Out-of-the-Box Functionality
    Xmonad comes with a very basic setup by default, requiring significant configuration and customization to fully utilize its capabilities.
  • Haskell Knowledge Required
    Customization of Xmonad requires knowledge of Haskell, which can be a barrier for users unfamiliar with the language.
  • Sparse Community and Documentation
    Compared to more popular window managers, Xmonad has a smaller community and less extensive documentation, which can make troubleshooting and learning more challenging.
  • Not Newbie-Friendly
    Xmonad is not the most user-friendly option for beginners. Its lack of GUI tools and reliance on command-line configuration can be intimidating for new users.

Analysis

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

WindowGrid
Xmonad

Overall verdict

  • Overall, WindowGrid is well-regarded for its ease of use, simplicity, and ability to enhance workflow productivity. It is considered a good tool for users looking to optimize their screen real estate effectively.

Why this product is good

  • WindowGrid is a popular virtual desktop manager that offers users flexibility and efficiency in organizing their display space. Its intuitive drag-and-snap grid system makes managing multiple windows on large or multi-monitor setups straightforward. It is lightweight, doesn't consume much system resources, and provides a significant productivity boost for users who work with numerous applications simultaneously.

Recommended for

    WindowGrid is recommended for professionals, such as developers, designers, and anyone who requires efficient window management to improve their multitasking capabilities. It is also beneficial for users with large displays or multi-monitor setups who want to streamline their workspace.

Overall verdict

  • Xmonad is highly regarded within the Linux and BSD communities, especially among users who prefer or don't mind configuring their environments through coding. It is considered a reliable tool for those who value efficiency and are comfortable with or interested in writing Haskell code for customization. While it has a steep learning curve due to the necessity of understanding Haskell for complex configurations, its performance and flexibility make it a strong choice for the right user.

Why this product is good

  • Xmonad is a dynamically tiling window manager written in Haskell, known for its minimalism, stability, and high customization options. It efficiently manages windows and is ideal for keyboard-driven workflows. Users appreciate its lightweight nature and ability to extend its functionality through Haskell scripts. Being a tiling window manager, it automatically organizes windows to make the best use of screen space, which can significantly enhance productivity for power users.

Recommended for

  • Developers and programmers who appreciate Haskell or are interested in learning more about it.
  • Linux or BSD users seeking a highly customizable and efficient window manager.
  • Power users who prefer or are comfortable with keyboard-driven interfaces and have the willingness to spend time configuring their setup.
  • Users who value system performance and resource efficiency, as Xmonad uses minimal system resources.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

WindowGrid 1 video + Add
Xmonad 3 videos + Add

WindowGrid: Fenster auf dem Desktop ausrichten

Xmonad Review

More videos

  • - Hacking on Xmonad - GridSelect, ToggleStruts, ToggleBorders
  • - Obscure Window Manager Project - Xmonad

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
WindowGrid
Xmonad
43% 43%
57% 57%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%

User comments

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Reviews and articles

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

WindowGrid no reviews yet
Xmonad no reviews yet

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Social recommendations and mentions

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

WindowGrid 7 mentions
Xmonad 15 mentions
  • Looking for a specific window-managing software (macOS equivalent for a Windows app)
    On my Windows PC I am using Window Grid , which is my favorite way to manage windows, and would love a macOS equivalent. If you haven't used it, basically it adds a right click function only when you grab a window to move it - so... Source: over 3 years ago
  • Μικροπρογραμματα στον υπολογιστη για better experience
    Free: Search Everything (helps find files and stuff https://www.voidtools.com/ ) WizTree (you can see file sizes visually and helps you find stuff that take too much space.https://www.diskanalyzer.com/ ) EarThumpet (better volume... Source: over 4 years ago
  • alt + tab mouse click doesn't work on Win 11?
    Another approach that does not involve the Alt key is WindowGrid and of course there is Microsoft's own FancyZones PowerToy. Source: over 4 years ago

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  • Rubywm: An X11 window manager in pure Ruby
    If you want tiling, but i3 requires too much manual work, you might like the more managed layouts that are the default in XMonad: https://xmonad.org/ XMonad works fine with multiple monitors. Each monitor displays one of the many... - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • [Media] shrs: a shell that is configurable and extensible in rust
    Hey everyone 👋 ! I'm currently working on a rust library for building and configuring your own shell! It's inspired by projects like xmonad and penrose where the configuration of the program is done in code. This means that for example,... Source: over 3 years ago
  • What LaTeX setup do you use?
    There are a few other things I could mention, but there are more like side issues, and not relevant to my actual LaTeX setup. First and foremost—and thus perhaps noteworthy after all—is bibliography management with arxiv-citation (see... Source: over 3 years ago

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Alternatives to WindowGrid and Xmonad

When comparing WindowGrid and Xmonad, you can also consider the following products.