Side by side
Amethyst vs awesome
Both stand on window management software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Mac
Amethyst offers configurable tiling layouts and keyboard controls at no cost for macOS users. Note the accessibility permission requirement and the beta status of custom layouts.
Visit Amethyst Free plan Linux
Awesome offers extensive keyboard, tag, and Lua-based control for X. Consider its window-manager-only scope and the listed release version before choosing it.
Visit awesomeThe facts
| Amethyst | awesome | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Mac | Linux |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | github.com | awesomewm.org |
| On window management software | #7 of 65 | #11 of 65 |
Amethyst: what it does well
- Free to use under an MIT license.
- Includes multiple built-in layout choices.
- Keyboard shortcuts move windows between screens or Spaces.
- Project says it does not collect or transmit personal information.
What to know first
- Requires macOS 10.15 or later.
- Requires permission to use macOS accessibility APIs.
- Custom JavaScript layouts are marked beta.
awesome: what it does well
- Free under the GNU GPLv2 license.
- Lua extensions support layouts, widgets, tabs, and tagging.
- Keyboard operation does not require a mouse.
- XRandR provides per-screen desktops.
- Packages are available for Linux and BSD distributions.
What to know first
- It is a window manager, not a desktop environment.
- Latest stable release listed is version 4.3 from 2019.
- Source builds can have LGI and Lua package-search-path problems.
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