Window Maker Alternatives

Window Maker is described as 'Has a reputation for being fast, efficient and highly stable. Window Maker has been characterized as reproducing "the elegant look and feel of the NeXTstep GUI" and is noted as "easy to configure and easy to use' and is a desktop environment in the os & utilities category. There are more than 25 alternatives to Window Maker for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Windows, BSD, Wayland and Mac apps. The best Window Maker alternative is KDE Plasma, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Window Maker are GNOME, Xfce, Open Shell and Cinnamon.

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Alternatives list

  1. Enlightenment icon
     54 likes

    Enlightenment is a Window Manager, Compositor and Minimal Desktop for Linux (the primary platform), BSD and any other compatible UNIX system.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • BSD
     
  2. Openbox icon
     78 likes

    Openbox is a highly configurable, next generation window manager with extensive standards support.

    78 Openbox alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
     
  3. Maui Shell icon
     5 likes

    Maui Shell is a convergent shell for desktops, tablets, and phones.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  4. Doorwin icon
     Like

    Doorwin is a professional measurement, take-off, and quotation software for door and window projects. It is designed for architects, manufacturers, PVC and aluminum window companies, and installation teams.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
     
  5. Phosh icon
     5 likes

    Phosh is a pure Wayland shell for GNOME on mobile devices like the Purism Librem 5.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Linux Mobile
    • GNOME
    • Wayland
     
  6. DMS icon
     2 likes

    Desktop shell for wayland compositors built with Quickshell & GO, optimized for niri, hyprland, sway, MangoWC, and labwc.

    32 DMS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Wayland
     
  7. Emerge Desktop icon
     16 likes

    Emerge Desktop is a replacement Windows "shell" (the desktop environment normally provided by Windows Explorer) for Windows 2000 and above. In order to replace Windows Explorer as a shell, it provides a system tray (the area that collects the icons collected at the...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  8. The Emerald Theme Manager allows you to install, edit and switch between Emerald themes. In order for it to work, select Emerald as your window decorator. You will also need to enable the Window Decorations plugin (via CCSM).

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Debian
    • Ubuntu
    • BSD
     
  9. SharpEnviro icon
     15 likes

    SharpEnviro (or SharpE) is an open source shell replacement system for Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7. When using SharpEnviro the default Windows desktop is replaced by a new and more powerful desktop environment.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  10. BB4Win icon
     19 likes

    BB4Win (Blackbox for Windows) is an alternative shell for Microsoft Windows. The program aims to emulate the look and feel of a Linux based desktop. The BB4Win project was discontinued in 2005 but various branches have been built from the source.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
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