What is the best Linux Display Manager?

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score 34 · Accepted Answer

SLiM

All

Top Pro

Very lightweight

SLiM doesn't have much dependencies. It just needs an X-Server and libpng(for png image support) or libjpeg(for jpg image support). See More

Top Con

Currently unmaintained

SLiM is currently unmaintained, however its considered feature complete and there exist enough active forks to keep it alive. See More

PrivateOmoikane's Experience

Last release was in 2013!! And its not compatible with systemd. See More

Top Pro

No Systemd

It does not need systemd or logind See More

OrganizedXantico's Experience

On Ubuntu 18.10. kernel 4.18.0-12-generic, GNOME Shell 3.30.1 - X11, since a Dec 9 update, login kept hanging on "Started bpfilter" -- I think a possible conflict between systemd and bpfilter (I think managed by the kernel.) The following suggested fixes had no effect on my system: (1) Removing nVidia drivers (my laptop uses Intel graphics, no nVida drivers installed, so this recommendation didn't apply,) (2) reverting to previous kernel 4.18.0-11-generic, (3) disabling Wayland in gdm3, (4) switching to LightDM display manager (identical hang.) I tried SLiM because it claimed not to require systemd, and it now enables normal login for me. Debian-branded, but allows changing the login background to something generic. Thanks, SLiM. This is probably a temporary recourse only, with Ubuntu's continuing development, so I've kept GDM3 and LightDM installed, in case a future system update fixes this issue. See More

Top Pro

Keyboard controlled

This display manager doesn't need a mouse. See More

HappyNanaya's Experience

low memory, Simple Design. This Desktop Manager is very light that than lightdm. See More

Top Pro

SLiM is fully themable

SLiM is fully themeable with PNG and JPEG images, Configuration is done in a simple text file See More

Top Pro

Includes a Lockscreen

SLiM also includes a graphical Lockscreen that uses the theme from the login manager. See More

Top Pro

Well organized and thorough documentation

Slim's documentation is well organized and detailed, every concept is thoroughly explained and it is very helpful for both advanced users and beginners. See More

See All

The Best 1 of 12 OptionsWhy?

My Recommendation for SLiM

My Recommendation for SLiM

Very lightweight

Currently unmaintained

No Systemd

Keyboard controlled

SLiM is fully themable

Includes a Lockscreen

Well organized and thorough documentation

11 Other Options Considered

My Recommendation for LightDM

My Recommendation for LightDM

Beautiful interface

Not really lightweight

Poor/missing documentation

No Wayland compatibility

My Recommendation for GDM

My Recommendation for GDM

Tied to Gnome

Always signs the GNOME keyring

Really hard to customize

It just works

Depends on GTK and its dependencies

Not so difficult to customize

My Recommendation for SDDM

My Recommendation for SDDM

Supports both X11 and Wayland

Customizing is hard

SDDM can start each DE

A bit bloated

SDDM can provide full eyecandy

Recommended for Plasma 5 and LXQT

Security

My Recommendation for CDM

My Recommendation for CDM

Supports virtually any DE/WM

No graphical interface

Has almost no dependencies

My Recommendation for XDM

My Recommendation for XDM

You can't choose desktop environments

Lightweight and fast

My Recommendation for ly

My Recommendation for ly

Simple in use

CLI-based

Very quick and responsive

Minimal

My Recommendation for LXDM

My Recommendation for LXDM

Fast and fluent

Depends on GTK and its dependencies

Works well on USB

My Recommendation for MDM

My Recommendation for MDM

Mature software

Might not work well with distributions that are based on more recent packages

Excellent documentation, easy-to-find/understand

Depends on GTK and its dependencies

Many available themes

Easily user-configurable

My Recommendation for Console TDM

My Recommendation for Console TDM

Very lightweight

Very old

No customization

My Recommendation for Entrance

My Recommendation for Entrance

Does not need Systemd

Edje is hard to master

A Sandbox

My Recommendation for Qingy

My Recommendation for Qingy

Ancient fossil dredged up from nearly a decade ago

Not a display manager

Don't see your favorite option? Add it.

My Recommendation for Cinnamon

My Recommendation for Cinnamon

My Recommendation for KDM