I'm curious about the differences between some popular window managers: Niri, i3, Hyprland, and Sway. I got into Linux after seeing cool Hyprland setups on TikTok, which inspired me to try it out on an old laptop. However, I realized that my skills weren't quite up to par for that, and I ended up installing KDE instead. Now that I've heard more about these different window managers, I'm wondering how they compare, especially in terms of usability and features. Thanks!
3 Answers
i3 is known for its simplicity and is easy to set up, but it relies on the older X11 display server. Sway is like i3 but designed to work on the newer Wayland server, maintaining compatibility with i3's config file, so it's also pretty user-friendly. Hyprland is visually appealing with its various effects but can be less stable and a bit harder for beginners due to frequent updates that change things up. Niri, being quite different, uses a horizontal scrolling system for windows, which many find really comfortable. You might want to try a few out to see what resonates with you!
That's awesome! I played around with Hyprland too and found it really fun to customize. It's easy to get lost in the settings, though!
All of these are window managers, but they differ mainly in how they organize windows. Niri uses a scrolling mechanism to display new windows, so existing ones get pushed off the screen, giving the effect of infinite horizontal space. i3 and Sway are both tiling managers, meaning new windows will resize existing ones based on specific layouts; i3 uses the older X11, whereas Sway works with the modern Wayland. Hyprland focuses on aesthetics while still being functional, adding some eye-candy to your desktop experience.
Thanks for breaking that down! I understand how they work now and appreciate the differences. I might start with i3 or Sway since they seem more beginner-friendly!
Each of these window managers has its own unique way of handling windows. For instance, i3 and Sway are quite similar—Sway is essentially the Wayland version of i3. They both handle windows in a tiling manner where new windows automatically adjust to share the screen. Hyprland brings more visual flair, with animations and effects, but its configuration can be a bit tricky, especially if you’re new. On the other hand, Niri stands out as a scrolling window manager. It presents windows as if on an infinitely wide screen, allowing you to scroll between them. You should definitely explore each to see what fits your style!
I tried Hyprland for a bit and modified some settings to get it to work better for me, but I’m curious about Niri as it looks interesting. I think I might set everything up for Plasma first, then give Niri a go later!