Compare software

Wayfire vs labwc: catalog facts
Wayfire	labwc
Best for: Linux users who want a customisable Wayland compositor with effects	Best for: Openbox users moving to a light Wayland setup
Free Free, with source code on GitHub.	Free Free and open source.
Linux	Linux
Plugin-based design for window management and effects Improved fractional scaling in the 0.11 release All 3 strengths for Wayfire Plugin-based design for window management and effects Improved fractional scaling in the 0.11 release Lightweight compositor with desktop effects	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
Linux and Wayland only Releases can be far apart All 3 limitations for Wayfire Linux and Wayland only Releases can be far apart Needs configuration to build a full desktop	Needs other programs for a complete desktop Wayland only
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 Wayfire wayfire.org Catalog checked September 23, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Sources for labwc labwc.github.io Catalog checked September 23, 2026

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