Compare software

FVWM3 vs Window Maker: catalog facts
FVWM3	Window Maker
Best for: X11 users who want a lightweight window manager they can shape completely	Best for: Linux users who want a light, classic NeXT-style desktop
Free Free, with source code published on GitHub.	Free Free and open source.
Linux	Linux
Extremely configurable behaviour and appearance Multi-monitor support through RandR All 4 strengths for FVWM3 Extremely configurable behaviour and appearance Multi-monitor support through RandR Lightweight, with a long history and active development Includes a default configuration to start from	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 Configuration has a steep learning curve	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 FVWM3 github.com/fvwmorg/fvwm3 Catalog checked September 24, 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.