Compare software

nwg-menu vs Kickoff: catalog facts
nwg-menu	Kickoff
Best for: Sway and wlroots users who want a start-menu style app menu	Best for: Wayland users on Sway or similar compositors who want a simple rofi-style launcher
Free Free and open source.	Free Free and open source.
Linux	Linux
Start-menu layout with simplified categories Works as an nwg-panel plugin or standalone All 3 strengths for nwg-menu Start-menu layout with simplified categories Works as an nwg-panel plugin or standalone Styled through a CSS file	Native Wayland launcher Simple install through cargo or the AUR All 3 strengths for Kickoff Native Wayland launcher Simple install through cargo or the AUR Nix flake included
Standalone use needs command-line arguments Aimed at sway and wlroots compositors	Only supports wlroots-based compositors Small project with a narrow feature set
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 nwg-menu github.com/nwg-piotr/nwg-menu Catalog checked October 1, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Sources for Kickoff github.com/j0ru/kickoff Catalog checked September 24, 2026

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