# Window Maker

21 Hacker News commenters recommended Window Maker and 1 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 9 of 13 months. It meets the Hacker Approved badge rule.

**Verdict:** Free, simple and stylish Linux window manager that people have used for years. Main caveat: critics say it is no longer actively developed.

## Why people recommend it

- Simple, stylish, distraction-free look (2 comments): "Simple, effective, stylish without getting in the way." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47776694)) "This is enjoyably distraction free." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46135174))
- Long-time favourite used for years (4 comments): "I adopted WindowMaker on my Linux machines, and kept to it for some years" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46118190)) "Window Maker/AfterStep were my all time favourites in GNU/Linux world." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46237775)) "I still have fond memories of olwm, AfterStep, and WindowMaker" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47781049))
- Attractive NeXTSTEP-style visuals (2 comments): "I always loved that purple/slate blue colour of WindowMaker/GNUStep/NeXTSTEP." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49336072)) "windowmaker+gnustep+gap for nice visuals" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48569872))
- Powerful simplicity that just works (2 comments): "I forgot how amazing it was and how much it just work." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45950442)) "missed its powerful simplicity" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47786039))

## What people warn about

- No longer actively developed (2 comments): "It would be great if Windowmaker was still being actively developed" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49774069)) "windowmaker no longer being actively developed" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46586089))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [Hyprland](https://hackerapproved.com/p/hyprland.md): 82 recommend
- [Enlightenment window manager](https://hackerapproved.com/p/enlightenment.md): 51 recommend
- [FVWM](https://hackerapproved.com/p/fvwm.md): 28 recommend
- [dwm](https://hackerapproved.com/p/dwm.md): 22 recommend
- [Compiz](https://hackerapproved.com/p/compiz.md): 15 recommend

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "Window Maker", https://hackerapproved.com/p/windowmaker/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).