The Awesome Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Awesome in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Awesome
The Insider’s Guide
Lua-configurable framework window manager for X
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among window managers and launchers, read from Awesome’s own pages.
Made by AwesomeWM project · checked Nov 13, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Awesome’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Awesome’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 13, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.4
GPA, above 11 of the 48 other window managers and launchers we grade
Awesome is a window manager for X that is configured and extended in Lua. It uses tags instead of workspaces, supports multiple monitors through XRandR, and can be driven entirely from the keyboard. It is licensed under GPLv2.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Awesome, taken from its own pages and our grades.
No rating on record, and it is configured by writing Lua.
- 1
Best for scripting an X11 window manager in Lua
Awesome is a free window manager for X that you configure and extend in Lua.
- 2
It is free
Awesome has no paid plan at all.
- 3
It runs on Linux
Linux.
- 4
Lua configuration
A documented API lets you define the window manager's behavior in Lua.
- 5
Tags
Uses tags rather than workspaces, so a window can sit on several tags at once.
- 6
Multi-monitor
Supports multiple screens through XRandR, with per-screen tags.
- 7
A 2.4 GPA, above 11 of 48
That is against the other window managers and launchers we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
Awesome is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
Awesome at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- It is free
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- Linux
- Made by
- AwesomeWM project
- Category
- Window Managers & Launchers
- Our grade
- 2.4 GPA, fair
The report card
Best for scripting an X11 window manager in Lua
Awesome is a free window manager for X that you configure and extend in Lua. It needs Lua work to get far beyond the defaults, runs on X11 only, and its site still shows 4.3 as the stable docs version.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Free to download under GPLv2 with no paid edition. |
| Free plan and trial | A | The whole program is free to download and run, with no cap and no paid edition. |
| Features | C | Tags, multi-monitor and EWMH support, but the listing says you need Lua configuration to get much beyond the defaults. |
| Ease of use | D | No rating on record, and it is configured by writing Lua. |
| Platforms and integrations | D | Linux on X11 only, with no other operating system and no integrations listed. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Awesome is for
- Fits if you run X11 and are happy to write Lua
- Works for power users who want fine-grained control of their desktop
Who it is not for
- 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
Good to know
Good for
- Linux users who want to script their window manager in Lua
- Power users who prefer X11 with fine-grained control
Worth knowing
- 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.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
Free
No paid plan at all
Awesome is free to use.
The whole program is free to download and run, with no cap and no paid edition.
Free
$0
Free software; the project publishes its source and lists no paid edition.
Read from awesomewm.org on Nov 13, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: Linux
Lua-configurable framework window manager for X. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, public API, keyboard-first, window management.
Tags, multi-monitor and EWMH support, but the listing says you need Lua configuration to get much beyond the defaults.
- 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.
Where it runs
- Linux
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
Awesome is made by AwesomeWM project.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
11/48
Other window managers and launchers it is graded above
Awesome's GPA of 2.4 is higher than 11 of the 48 other window managers and launchers we grade, and level with 11.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 23 of 48) and worst on ease of use (D, above 0).
Awesome has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 1.3 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 49 window managers and launchers we grade, cut by the letter each got. Awesome’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 17 of 48
- AFree plan and trialAbove 23 of 48
- CFeaturesAbove 1 of 48
- DEase of useAbove 0 of 48
- DPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 48
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 29 window managers and launchers. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Awesome is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
Awesome is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces. That makes this kind of software worth paying for, not this one in particular: 26 of the 48 other window managers and launchers grade higher.
What you could not
- Control over other apps' windows.
- A real app for Linux. Something home-made would be a web page.
- An API that other software can build on.
What this rests on. Awesome’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
i3, Sway, Hyprland, Vicinae and Ulauncher
The 5 tools Awesome is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.6GPA
i3
Free
- 2.6GPA
Sway
Free
- 2.6GPA
Hyprland
Free
- 2.8GPA
Vicinae
Free
Keyboard-driven launcher for Linux, macOS and Windows.
- Only Vicinae lists macOS and Windows apps.
- Vicinae also covers launcher, clipboard manager and calculator.
- 2.6GPA
Ulauncher
Free
Open-source application launcher for Linux with extensions.
- Awesome also covers window management.
- Ulauncher also covers launcher.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
12
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Awesome free?
Yes. Awesome is free to use.
How much does Awesome cost?
Awesome lists one plan. Free: $0.
What platforms does Awesome work on?
Awesome is available on Linux.
Does Awesome have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Awesome is listed for Linux.
Does Awesome have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Awesome is listed for Linux.
Is Awesome open source?
Yes. Awesome is open source, according to its own site.
Does Awesome have an API?
Yes. Awesome offers a public API, according to its own site.
Who makes Awesome?
Awesome is made by AwesomeWM project.
What are the alternatives to Awesome?
The closest alternatives to Awesome in our directory are i3, Sway, Hyprland, Vicinae and Ulauncher.
How does Awesome compare with other window managers and launchers?
Awesome's GPA of 2.4 is higher than 11 of the 48 other window managers and launchers we grade, and level with 11.
Is Awesome good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Awesome A for value for money. Awesome has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of Awesome?
Awesome is free, so making your own would save you nothing. And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Awesome’s own pages on Nov 13, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 13, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from the Awesome project's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by AwesomeWM project. Prices change, so check awesomewm.org before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
7,721
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
7,721
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Awesome, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/awesome
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Awesome: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/awesome
Know someone choosing between window managers and launchers?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/awesome/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded window managers and launchers after Awesome, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Window Managers & Launchers Insider's GuideEvery one of the 49 window managers and launchers we grade, compared
- Flow Launcher Insider's GuideFree, open-source app launcher and file search for Windows3.0 GPA
- Launchy Insider's GuideOpen-source keystroke launcher with plugins and skins3.0 GPA
- Cerebro Insider's GuideFree open-source Electron launcher for Windows, Mac and Linux2.8 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Awesome’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Awesome is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by AwesomeWM project. Prices and plans change: check awesomewm.org before you buy.