Alternatives to dmenu
A minimal dynamic menu for X that picks from large lists of items using the keyboard. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
dmenu
A minimal dynamic menu for X that picks from large lists of items using the keyboard.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as dmenu.
rofi
A keyboard-driven window switcher, application launcher and dmenu replacement for Linux desktops.
Rofi is a free MIT-licensed dmenu replacement that adds an application launcher, window switcher and theming configured in text files instead of recompiling.
bemenu
A dmenu-style dynamic menu and launcher that runs on Wayland, X11 and in a terminal.
bemenu is an open-source dmenu-style menu that also runs on Wayland and in a terminal, configured through command-line options and usable as a library.
wmenu
A dynamic menu for Wayland modeled on dmenu, for picking items from a list piped in.
wmenu brings dmenu behavior to Wayland only, adding a password mode, and needs a wrapper script to launch apps.
fuzzel
An application launcher and fuzzy finder for Wayland compositors, inspired by rofi and dmenu.
Fuzzel is an open-source dmenu-style picker and launcher for Wayland compositors, with no X11 support.
tofi
A tiny, fast dmenu and rofi replacement for wlroots-based Wayland compositors.
tofi is a tiny, fast dmenu replacement for wlroots-based Wayland compositors with bundled themes, and does not run on X.
wofi
A GTK-based launcher and menu program for wlroots Wayland compositors such as Sway.
wofi is a GTK-styled launcher and dmenu replacement for wlroots compositors, though it receives only occasional updates.
Walker
A customizable GTK4 application launcher for Linux that also runs commands and does calculations.
Walker is a GTK4 Linux launcher that also runs commands and calculations, with a graphical interface and many configuration options.
Anyrun
A Wayland-native runner in the style of KRunner, built around plugins and customization.
Anyrun is a Wayland-native KRunner-style runner extended with plugins, with no X11 support.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
j4-dmenu-desktop
A fast desktop-entry launcher that feeds installed applications into dmenu or a compatible menu.
Greenclip
A small clipboard history manager for Linux that is designed to be used through rofi.
Kickoff
A minimalistic fuzzy program launcher for wlroots-based Wayland compositors, written in Rust.
Ulauncher
Fast, extensible application launcher built for Linux desktops.
nwg-drawer
A searchable full-screen application drawer for sway, Hyprland and other wlroots Wayland compositors.
