i3 vs Ulauncher (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, i3 and Ulauncher share a 2.6 GPA, both are free, so the choice depends on whether you care more about features, where i3 grades higher, or ease of use, where Ulauncher does.
Checked Nov 12, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 12, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
They get the same grade on value for money, the free plan 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 i3 if
- Fits if you run Linux on X11 and want to drive windows from the keyboard
- Works for developers who script their desktop over the IPC
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, where the site points to Sway instead
- Too light for anyone who wants menus and settings screens, because configuration is a text file
- Watch out: the project says it targets advanced users and developers
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
| 2.6GPAi3Good | 2.6GPAUlauncherGood | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | AFree to download under the BSD license with no paid edition, so it sits well under the category's cheapest quarter. | AFree, with optional donations through Patreon. |
| Free plan and trial | AThe whole program is free with no cap, and you can download and run it. | AThe whole app is free to use, with no tiers. |
| Features | BTree tiling, modes, IPC, multi-monitor handling and a User's Guide, with no gap in the window-manager job on the listing. | 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 setup is by editing a text config file. | CNo store rating on record. You install it with your package manager and add extensions to get further. |
| Platforms and integrations | DLinux and BSD on X11 only, no other operating system, with no integrations listed. | DLinux only, with Ubuntu, Debian, Arch, Fedora, openSUSE and CentOS 7 listed. |
| Best for | keyboard-driven tiling on X11 | 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: i3 and Ulauncher. How we grade
Price against what you get
i3 has no paid plan and scores 1.7 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. Ulauncher has no paid plan and scores 1.7.
On this chart the two sit in the same place: the same score for the same starting price. Of the other window managers and launchers on the chart, none scores higher than i3 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
- i3 also covers window management.
- Ulauncher also covers launcher.
At a glance
| i3 | 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 | Michael Stapelberg and contributors | Ulauncher |
| Price read from | i3wm.org | ulauncher.io |
| Checked | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 12, 2026 |
Worth knowing
i3
- Works with the X11 server only; Wayland users would look at Sway, which reads i3 configs.
- Built for advanced users, with configuration done in a text file.
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
i3
- Tree-based tiling
- Arranges windows in a tree, allowing more flexible layouts than a column-based approach.
- Modes
- Vim-like modes let a resize mode use different keybindings from the default mode.
- IPC interface
- Other programs can subscribe to events and send commands.
- Multi-monitor handling
- Assigns each workspace to a virtual screen and supports rotated monitors.
- Documentation
- Ships a User's Guide and internal-workings documentation.
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
i3
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, i3 or Ulauncher?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both i3 and Ulauncher are free to use.
Which has a free plan, i3 or Ulauncher?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both i3 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.