Compare software

cwm vs evilwm: catalog facts
cwm	evilwm
Best for: A minimal keyboard-driven X11 window manager on Linux	Best for: X11 users who want a tiny, keyboard-driven window manager
Free Free to download and use from its public GitHub repository.	Free Free to download as source code or distribution packages.
Linux	Linux
Small and simple, with a single text configuration file Keyboard-driven window handling All 4 strengths for cwm Small and simple, with a single text configuration file Keyboard-driven window handling Tracks upstream OpenBSD cwm development Signed releases	Very small and minimal interface Configurable keyboard and mouse controls All 4 strengths for evilwm Very small and minimal interface Configurable keyboard and mouse controls Virtual desktops and multi-monitor support Packages for Debian, Ubuntu and NetBSD
X11 only, no Wayland support Minimal by design, with no panels or desktop extras	X11 only, no Wayland support No title bars or panels, which some users will miss
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License not stated	License not stated
No account needed	No account needed
Offline features available	Offline features available
Official website Full listing and sources Sources for cwm github.com/leahneukirchen/cwm Catalog checked October 2, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Sources for evilwm 6809.org.uk/evilwm Catalog checked October 2, 2026

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