Compare software

JWM vs evilwm: catalog facts
JWM	evilwm
Best for: Lightweight desktops on older or low-powered Linux machines	Best for: X11 users who want a tiny, keyboard-driven window manager
Free Free and open source under the MIT licence.	Free Free to download as source code or distribution packages.
Linux	Linux
Very small footprint, needing only Xlib Runs well on old hardware and the Raspberry Pi All 4 strengths for JWM Very small footprint, needing only Xlib Runs well on old hardware and the Raspberry Pi Optional multi-monitor, SVG and antialiased font support Available as a package in many distributions	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 Stacking only, with no tiling layouts All 3 limitations for JWM X11 only, no Wayland support Stacking only, with no tiling layouts Plain appearance compared with full desktop environments	X11 only, no Wayland support No title bars or panels, which some users will miss
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
Official website Full listing and sources Sources for JWM joewing.net/projects/jwm Catalog checked September 24, 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.