Compare software

labwc vs cwm: catalog facts
labwc	cwm
Best for: Openbox users moving to a light Wayland setup	Best for: A minimal keyboard-driven X11 window manager on Linux
Free Free and open source.	Free Free to download and use from its public GitHub repository.
Linux	Linux
Lightweight stacking compositor for Wayland Familiar to Openbox users All 3 strengths for labwc Lightweight stacking compositor for Wayland Familiar to Openbox users Works with separate panels and tools of your choice	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
Needs other programs for a complete desktop Wayland only	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
Official website Full listing and sources Sources for labwc labwc.github.io Catalog checked September 23, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Sources for cwm github.com/leahneukirchen/cwm Catalog checked October 2, 2026

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