Compare software

labwc vs KWin: catalog facts
labwc	KWin
Best for: Openbox users moving to a light Wayland setup	Best for: KDE Plasma users who want detailed control over window behaviour
Free Free and open source.	Free Free and open source as part of KDE Plasma.
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	Per-application window rules Built-in tiling and scripting support All 3 strengths for KWin Per-application window rules Built-in tiling and scripting support Full Wayland compositor with desktop effects
Needs other programs for a complete desktop Wayland only	Closely tied to KDE Plasma and its libraries Many options can be overwhelming to configure
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License not stated	License: GPL-2.0-or-later
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 KWin invent.kde.org/plasma/kwin Catalog checked October 1, 2026

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