niri

Free plan Linux

What niri is

niri is a free, GPL-3.0-licensed Wayland compositor for Linux. It arranges windows in columns along an infinite strip, and opening a new window leaves existing window sizes unchanged. Its dynamic workspaces are arranged vertically, with a separate set for each monitor. Features include an overview, built-in screenshot interface, window tabs, configurable layouts, animations, touchpad and mouse gestures, and configuration that can reload while niri runs. Screencasting for monitors and windows works through portals and PipeWire, with an option to block selected windows from casts. For X11 applications, niri integrates with xwayland-satellite, which it can start when an X11 client connects. The project says niri works with screen readers and supports touchscreens, but not touchscreen gestures yet. It is not a complete desktop environment; DankMaterialShell and Noctalia are listed as compatible shells. The project describes niri as stable for day-to-day use. Installation options include distribution packages and building from source. Matrix is identified as the main channel for questions, with a community Discord also linked.

Who it suits

niri suits Linux users looking for a Wayland compositor with column-based windows, dynamic per-monitor workspaces, and configurable layouts. Users needing a complete desktop environment or touchscreen gestures should note those limits.

What it does well

Free and licensed under GPL-3.0
Existing windows keep their sizes when new ones open
Workspaces are independent for each monitor
Supports screen readers
Offers monitor and window screencasting

What to know first

Not a complete desktop environment
Touchscreen gestures are not yet supported
Untrusted clients need a sandbox for security

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Free	Open-source Wayland compositor · GPL-3.0	Free

As github.com lists them, read 7 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Open the niri project website on GitHub.
Choose a distribution package or build niri from source.
Install a compatible desktop shell such as DankMaterialShell or Noctalia if you want one.
Use Matrix or the community Discord for questions.

Verdict

niri provides a column-based Wayland workspace with screencasting, configuration options, and support for screen readers. It is a compositor rather than a full desktop environment, and touchscreen gestures are not supported yet.

Questions

What does niri cost?

Niri is free. Its listed plan is free.

Which platforms does niri support?

The listed platform is Linux.

Is niri open source?

Yes. The repository identifies its license as GPL-3.0.

Does niri support X11 applications?

It integrates with xwayland-satellite to run X11 applications, starting it on demand when an X11 client connects.

Is niri a complete desktop environment?

No. Niri is a compositor. DankMaterialShell and Noctalia are listed as desktop shells that support it.

How can I install niri?

The getting-started guide lists distribution packages and building from source.

Facts from niri's own pages

Accessibility: The project says niri works with screen readers. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Desktop shells: The project lists DankMaterialShell and Noctalia as desktop shells that support niri, and says niri itself is not a complete desktop environment. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Features: Features include an overview, built-in screenshot UI, window tabs, touchpad and mouse gestures, configurable layouts, animations, and live-reloading configuration. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Installation: The getting-started guide lists distribution packages and building from source as installation options. · niri-wm.github.io, 7 Oct 2026
Integrations: Niri integrates with xwayland-satellite to run X11 applications, spawning it on demand when an X11 client connects. · niri-wm.github.io, 7 Oct 2026
License: The GitHub repository identifies the project license as GPL-3.0. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Notable limitation: The project says niri supports touchscreens but does not yet support touchscreen gestures. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Product: niri is a scrollable-tiling Wayland compositor. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Screencasting: Niri supports monitor and window screencasting through portals and PipeWire, and can block selected windows from casts. · niri-wm.github.io, 7 Oct 2026
Security: The security guide says untrusted clients need a sandbox that removes niri's IPC socket, blocks host D-Bus access, and uses a filtered Wayland socket; it names Flatpak as one suitable sandbox. · niri-wm.github.io, 7 Oct 2026
Stability: The project describes niri as stable for day-to-day use and says it does most things expected of a Wayland compositor. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Support: The project identifies its Matrix chat as the main communication channel for questions and also links a community Discord server. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Window layout: Windows are arranged in columns on an infinite strip, and opening a window does not resize existing windows. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Workspaces: Workspaces are dynamic and arranged vertically, with an independent set for each monitor. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026

Where niri stands on Freedom251

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