Compare software

Openbox vs i3: catalog facts
Openbox	i3
Best for: Manage X11 windows with a configurable stacking window manager	Best for: Arrange X11 windows in a keyboard-controlled tiling workspace
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	Uses a tree-based window layout Supports workspaces and configurable key bindings
A complete desktop requires separate panels, launchers and other utilities.	Runs on X11 rather than Wayland.
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License not stated	License: BSD-3-Clause
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 i3 i3wm.org github.com/i3/i3 Catalog checked September 22, 2026

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