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rofi vs nwg-menu: catalog facts
rofi	nwg-menu
Best for: Tiling window manager users who need a fast keyboard launcher and menu	Best for: Sway and wlroots users who want a start-menu style app menu
Free Free and open source.	Free Free and open source.
Linux	Linux
Launcher, window switcher and dmenu replacement in one tool Scriptable menu for your own shell scripts All 3 strengths for rofi Launcher, window switcher and dmenu replacement in one tool Scriptable menu for your own shell scripts Theming support and text-file configuration	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
Configuration and theming take some effort Linux and Unix-like desktops only	Standalone use needs command-line arguments Aimed at sway and wlroots compositors
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License: MIT	License not stated
No account needed	No account needed
Offline features available	Offline features available
Official website Full listing and sources Sources for rofi github.com/davatorium/rofi Catalog checked September 23, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Sources for nwg-menu github.com/nwg-piotr/nwg-menu Catalog checked October 1, 2026

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