Compare software

Cagebreak vs SwayFX: catalog facts
CagebreakSwayFX

Best for: Ratpoison fans who want a keyboard-only tiling compositor on Wayland

Best for: Sway users who want visual effects on a tiling Wayland desktop

Free

Free and open source.

Free

Free and open source.

Linux Linux
  • Fully keyboard-driven tiling on Wayland
  • Signed releases with documented hashes
All 3 strengths for Cagebreak
  • Fully keyboard-driven tiling on Wayland
  • Signed releases with documented hashes
  • Man pages and example configurations included
  • Keeps Sway's tiling behaviour and configuration
  • Adds blur, rounded corners and shadows
All 3 strengths for SwayFX
  • Keeps Sway's tiling behaviour and configuration
  • Adds blur, rounded corners and shadows
  • Packaging help for Debian and Nix
  • Minimal by design, with no decorations or visual extras
  • Smaller user base than sway or Hyprland
  • Linux and Wayland only
  • Effects add overhead compared with plain Sway
All 3 limitations for SwayFX
  • Linux and Wayland only
  • Effects add overhead compared with plain Sway
  • Tracks upstream Sway, so features may lag behind it
Downloadable app Downloadable app
Open source Open source
License: MIT License not stated
No account needed No account needed
Offline features available Offline features available
Sources for Cagebreak

Catalog checked October 1, 2026

Sources for SwayFX

Catalog checked October 1, 2026

“Not stated” means we have not confirmed it. Features can vary by device and plan.