Alternatives to Tint2
Lightweight panel and taskbar for Linux and BSD window managers. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Tint2
Lightweight panel and taskbar for Linux and BSD window managers.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Tint2.
Polybar
Build a configurable status bar for an X11 desktop.
Polybar is an MIT-licensed X11 status bar with workspace and system modules and custom scripts, focused on status information rather than a taskbar of open windows.
xfce4-panel
Configurable panel for the Xfce desktop with plugins and applets.
xfce4-panel is a configurable panel with deep plugin support and a traditional layout, but it is tied to the Xfce desktop environment rather than standalone window managers.
Lemonbar
Featherweight, scriptable status bar for X11 built on xcb.
Lemonbar is a featherweight X11 status bar built on xcb, but it has no built-in configuration, so all content must be scripted externally.
Waybar
Add a customizable status bar to compatible Wayland desktops.
Waybar is a customizable status bar for supported Wayland compositors, so moving from Tint2 means leaving X11 window manager setups behind.
nwg-panel
Add desktop panels to Sway and Hyprland using GTK.
nwg-panel is a GTK panel for Sway and Hyprland with launchers and workspace controls, targeting those Wayland compositors rather than X11 window managers.
Eww
Create custom desktop widgets using declarative configuration and styling.
Eww builds panels and other widgets from declarative configuration and styling, which is more flexible than Tint2 but requires maintaining widget configuration and scripts.
Also worth comparing
These listings name Tint2 as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
Cairo-Dock
A customizable application dock and launcher for Linux desktops with applets and multiple docks.
Tint2 is a lightweight panel and taskbar for minimal window manager setups, configured through a plain text file instead of offering applets and multiple docks.
xmobar
A minimalist text-based status bar for X11, written in Haskell and often paired with xmonad.
Tint2 is a lightweight Linux and BSD panel and taskbar configured through a plain text file, adding a taskbar rather than only a text status line.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Openbox
Manage X11 windows with a configurable stacking window manager.
BunsenLabs Linux
A Debian-based distribution with a preconfigured, lightweight Openbox desktop, continuing CrunchBang Linux.
IceWM
A lightweight X11 window manager with a taskbar, workspaces and a familiar Windows-like layout.
rofi
A keyboard-driven window switcher, application launcher and dmenu replacement for Linux desktops.
