Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

spectrwm VS Fluxbox

Compare spectrwm VS Fluxbox and see what are their differences

spectrwm logo spectrwm

spectrwm is a small dynamic tiling window manager for X11.

Fluxbox logo Fluxbox

Fluxbox is a window manager for X that was based on the Blackbox 0.61.1 code.
  • spectrwm Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-01
  • Fluxbox Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-18

spectrwm features and specs

  • Lightweight
    spectrwm is designed to be a minimalistic and lightweight window manager, which results in fast performance and low system resource consumption.
  • Keyboard-driven
    It has strong keyboard-focused navigation, allowing users to efficiently manage windows and enhance productivity without relying on a mouse.
  • Customizability
    Users can customize key bindings and appearance by editing a straightforward configuration file, providing flexibility to tailor the window manager to individual preferences.
  • Multi-head support
    spectrwm provides built-in support for multiple monitors, making it a good choice for users who require multi-display setups.
  • Scriptable
    The window manager supports scripting, which lets users automate tasks and create custom scripts to further extend functionality.

Possible disadvantages of spectrwm

  • Steeper learning curve
    The lack of a graphical user interface might pose a challenge for new users, as it requires familiarity with configuration files and command-line operations.
  • Requires manual configuration
    Initial setup may require manual editing of configuration files, which can be inconvenient for users who prefer plug-and-play solutions.
  • Limited features out-of-the-box
    Compared to more comprehensive desktop environments, spectrwm might lack certain features and conveniences that users expect, requiring additional setup and configuration.
  • Community and support
    Being one of several niche tiling window managers, it might not have as large a community or extensive documentation as some other options, potentially making it harder to find support.

Fluxbox features and specs

  • Lightweight
    Fluxbox is a minimalist window manager that uses very little system resources, making it ideal for older or less powerful hardware.
  • Customization
    Offers extensive customization options, allowing users to tailor the desktop environment to their preferences with themes, styles, and configurable keyboard shortcuts.
  • Speed
    Due to its minimalist design, Fluxbox is very fast and responsive, providing a smooth user experience.
  • Stability
    Fluxbox is known for its stability and reliability, with fewer crashes or performance issues compared to more feature-rich desktop environments.
  • Low Dependencies
    Requires fewer dependencies compared to full-fledged desktop environments, simplifying the installation and maintenance process.
  • Scriptability
    Highly scriptable using shell scripting, providing advanced users with powerful tools to automate and configure their environment.
  • Multiple Desktops
    Supports multiple desktop configurations, allowing users to organize their workspace more efficiently.

Possible disadvantages of Fluxbox

  • Learning Curve
    The minimalist design may be difficult for new users to learn and configure effectively, especially those used to more feature-rich desktop environments.
  • Limited Features
    Lacks many built-in features and utilities that are standard in other desktop environments, requiring users to manually install additional software.
  • Aesthetic
    May not be as visually appealing out-of-the-box compared to other desktop environments, requiring more effort to achieve a polished look.
  • Community Support
    Smaller user community compared to larger desktop environments, potentially making it harder to find help and resources.
  • Compatibility
    Some applications designed for more comprehensive desktop environments may not integrate smoothly with Fluxbox, requiring additional tweaks.
  • Advanced Configuration
    Requires editing text files for certain configurations, which can be intimidating and inconvenient for users who prefer graphical configuration tools.

spectrwm videos

Spectrwm Is An Impressive Tiling Window Manager

More videos:

  • Review - Spectrwm - More Adventures in Tiling WM Land
  • Review - Discovered Some Cool Stuff In Spectrwm and Qtile

Fluxbox videos

Openbox, Fluxbox or JWM which one do you like?

More videos:

  • Review - Salix OS 13.1.2 Fluxbox Review - Linux Distro Reviews
  • Review - Manjaro's New Fluxbox 15.10 Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to spectrwm and Fluxbox)
Window Manager
40 40%
60% 60
Linux
32 32%
68% 68
Utilities
39 39%
61% 61
Productivity
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare spectrwm and Fluxbox

spectrwm Reviews

Top 13 Best Tiling Window Managers For Linux In 2022
spectrwm has a plain text configuration file, defaults that are identical to xmonad and dwm, and built-in keyboard shortcuts. Other features include colour and border width customization, drag-to-float, quick launch menu customization, adjustable status bar, dynamic RandR compatibility, and more.
Source: www.hubtech.org
13 Best Tiling Window Managers for Linux
spectrwm uses a plain text configuration file, boasts defaults similar to those in xmonad and dwm, and features built-in keyboard shortcuts. Its other features include customizable colors and border width, drag-to-float, quick launch menu, customizable status bar, dynamic RandR support, etc.
Source: www.tecmint.com

Fluxbox Reviews

We have no reviews of Fluxbox yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, spectrwm should be more popular than Fluxbox. It has been mentiond 11 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

spectrwm mentions (11)

  • Rubywm: An X11 window manager in pure Ruby
    I am not sure what you want out of I3, but if it is "i3 configuration is too complicated" might I suggest spectrwm. I like it because it hits that sweet spot for a tilling WM between "more configurable than dwm" and "less configurable than i3" https://github.com/conformal/spectrwm Plus I find it handles multiple monitors well. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • Ask HN: Why does Apple refuse to add window snapping to macOS?
    I use the tiling WM spectrwm. It lets me pull windows out of tiling mode and into window mode. I think a common operation on most tiling window managers. Most of the time I don't want overlapping windows(thus the tiling WM) but every once in a while I do, so the best of both worlds. It is a bit obscure but I quite like spectrwm, it fills this sweet spot where it is much simpler than I3 but much more feature... - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • Easy window manager?
    Spectrwm is by far the easiest WM I've tested. Also Fluxbox is pretty much straightforward. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Which WM should I use ?
    Spectrwm is by far the most beginner-friendly WM I've ever tested. Im now running EXWM the buffers management is something else. Source: over 3 years ago
  • How can I undo mod+v?
    I'm a recent convert to i3/sway, after a solid decade using spectrwm (which has not been ported to Wayland, I'm afraid). Source: over 3 years ago
View more

Fluxbox mentions (6)

View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing spectrwm and Fluxbox, you can also consider the following products

dwm - dwm is a dynamic window manager for X. It manages windows in tiled, monocle and floating layouts. All of the layouts can be applied dynamically, optimising the environment for the application in use and the task performed.

i3 - A dynamic tiling window manager designed for X11, inspired by wmii, and written in C.

Xmonad - xmonad is a dynamically tiling X11 window manager that is written and configured in Haskell.

IceWM - icewm home page . Bug Tracking. If you have a patch, a bug report or a feature request to submit, please do so at the icewm project page at SourceForge.

bspwm - A tiling window manager based on binary space partitioning

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