Compare software

evilwm vs cwm: catalog facts
evilwmcwm

Best for: X11 users who want a tiny, keyboard-driven window manager

Best for: A minimal keyboard-driven X11 window manager on Linux

Free

Free to download as source code or distribution packages.

Free

Free to download and use from its public GitHub repository.

Linux Linux
  • 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
  • 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
  • X11 only, no Wayland support
  • No title bars or panels, which some users will miss
  • X11 only, no Wayland support
  • Minimal by design, with no panels or desktop extras
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
Sources for evilwm

Catalog checked October 2, 2026

Sources for cwm

Catalog checked October 2, 2026

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