Compare software

Openbox vs awesome: catalog facts
Openbox	awesome
Best for: Manage X11 windows with a configurable stacking window manager	Best for: Build a keyboard-driven X11 desktop with a window manager configured in Lua
Free Free and open source. Hosting, hardware and any external services are separate.	Free Free and open source. Hosting, hardware and any external services are separate.
Linux	Linux
Supports custom menus and window rules Can be used alone or within another desktop setup	Supports tiling and floating layouts Exposes programmable widgets and window rules
A complete desktop requires separate panels, launchers and other utilities.	Extensive customization requires editing Lua configuration.
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License not stated	License: GPL-2.0
Not stated if an account is needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Not stated if it works offline	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Sources for Openbox openbox.org Catalog checked September 22, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Sources for awesome awesomewm.org github.com/awesomeWM/awesome Catalog checked September 22, 2026

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