Awesome vs Ulauncher (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Ulauncher grades higher than Awesome: 2.6 against 2.4 out of 4.0.
Checked Nov 12, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 12, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
Ulauncher grades higher on ease of use. They get the same grade on value for money, the free plan, features and platforms.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
Which one is for you
Pick Awesome if
- Fits if you run X11 and are happy to write Lua
- Works for power users who want fine-grained control of their desktop
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you use Windows or macOS, as it does not run there
- Not for you if you are on Wayland, because it is X11 only
- Too light on defaults for anyone who will not write Lua
- Watch out: the site shows 4.3 as the stable docs and its page was last edited in 2022
Pick Ulauncher if
- Fits if you run Linux and want to start apps by typing
- Works for people who like adding extensions to a launcher
Look elsewhere if
- Not for you if you're on a Mac or Windows, as it's Linux only
- Skip it if you want windows tiled or resized, because it doesn't do that
- Watch out: the download page lists CentOS 7, so some of its support may be dated
How we grade them
| 2.4GPAAwesomeFair | 2.6GPAUlauncherGood | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | AFree to download under GPLv2 with no paid edition. | AFree, with optional donations through Patreon. |
| Free plan and trial | AThe whole program is free to download and run, with no cap and no paid edition. | AThe whole app is free to use, with no tiers. |
| Features | CTags, multi-monitor and EWMH support, but the listing says you need Lua configuration to get much beyond the defaults. | CFuzzy search, shortcuts, extensions, a file browser and themes. It launches things, and doesn't arrange windows, which is what this category is for. |
| Ease of use | DNo rating on record, and it is configured by writing Lua. | CNo store rating on record. You install it with your package manager and add extensions to get further. |
| Platforms and integrations | DLinux on X11 only, with no other operating system and no integrations listed. | DLinux only, with Ubuntu, Debian, Arch, Fedora, openSUSE and CentOS 7 listed. |
| Best for | scripting an X11 window manager in Lua | a fast app launcher for Linux |
The GPA is the average of the five grades: an A is 4 points, an F is none. The full reasons are on each tool's page: Awesome and Ulauncher. How we grade
Price against what you get
Awesome has no paid plan and scores 1.3 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. Ulauncher has no paid plan and scores 1.7.
Ulauncher scores higher for the same starting price. Of the other window managers and launchers on the chart, none scores higher than Awesome for less, and none scores higher than Ulauncher for less.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
Where they differ
- Awesome also covers window management.
- Ulauncher also covers launcher.
At a glance
| Awesome | Ulauncher | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Starts at | Free | Free |
| Free plan | None | The whole app is free; the site asks for optional donations through Patreon. |
| Free trial | None listed | None listed |
| Linux | ||
| Made by | AwesomeWM project | Ulauncher |
| Price read from | awesomewm.org | ulauncher.io |
| Checked | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 12, 2026 |
Worth knowing
Awesome
- X11 only; the project site shows 4.3 as the stable docs version and its page was last edited in 2022.
- Needs configuration in Lua to get much beyond the defaults.
Ulauncher
- Linux only; the download page lists Ubuntu and Debian, Arch, Fedora, openSUSE and CentOS 7.
- It launches and searches; it does not manage window layouts.
Key features
Awesome
- Lua configuration
- A documented API lets you define the window manager's behavior in Lua.
- Tags
- Uses tags rather than workspaces, so a window can sit on several tags at once.
- Multi-monitor
- Supports multiple screens through XRandR, with per-screen tags.
- Keyboard operation
- Everything can be done from the keyboard.
- Freedesktop standards
- Implements EWMH, XDG Base Directory, XEmbed, notifications and system tray.
Ulauncher
- Fuzzy search
- Finds an application despite misspelling and remembers earlier picks to rank the best result first.
- Shortcuts and extensions
- Custom shortcuts and community-built extensions give quick access to scripts and web searches.
- File browser
- Type ~ or / to browse directories, with Alt+Enter for further options.
- Color themes
- Four built-in themes and support for custom ones.
Plans
Awesome
Free$0
Free software; the project publishes its source and lists no paid edition.
Ulauncher
Free$0
Open-source application, with optional donations.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, Awesome or Ulauncher?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both Awesome and Ulauncher are free to use.
Which has a free plan, Awesome or Ulauncher?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both Awesome and Ulauncher have a free plan.
More comparisons
How this page was made
- The verdict at the top follows a fixed rule. When both tools are in the same category and either is in our top three for it, the verdict follows that ranking: the higher-placed tool is our pick. The top three weigh who each tool suits as well as its grades, so a pick can go against the GPA. Otherwise the page does not pick one and says which grades higher: the higher GPA first; on a tie, the one with a free plan, then the one that starts cheaper in dollars a month, counted the same way for both; if they are still level, what the choice depends on.
- The grades are our own, from each tool’s review or report card. The GPA is their average.
- Prices, plans and platforms come from each tool’s listing. The table above says where each price was read and when.
- The differences and the answers to the questions are worked out from those listings.