Compare software

cwm vs Window Maker: catalog facts
cwm	Window Maker
Best for: A minimal keyboard-driven X11 window manager on Linux	Best for: Linux users who want a light, classic NeXT-style desktop
Free Free to download and use from its public GitHub repository.	Free Free and open source.
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	Faithful NeXTSTEP look and feel Lightweight, with dockapps for small utilities All 3 strengths for Window Maker Faithful NeXTSTEP look and feel Lightweight, with dockapps for small utilities Readable config files plus a graphical preferences tool
X11 only, no Wayland support Minimal by design, with no panels or desktop extras	X11 only, no Wayland support mentioned Latest stable release dates from August 2023
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 Window Maker windowmaker.org Catalog checked September 24, 2026

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