# OmniWM vs Glidro: an honest comparison Glidro uses **Scrolling**. Glidro 1.1.0 is Developer ID signed and notarized by Apple. Release availability: [Payhip](https://payhip.com/b/HsS5T). Source: /glidro-vs-omniwm Updated: 2026-10-06 · Author: Glidro Both bring Niri-style scrolling to the Mac without SIP changes. OmniWM is free, open source and packed with features. **The biggest practical difference is which version of macOS you're on.** > **tl;dr:** If you're on macOS 26 Tahoe and want a free tool with lots of power features, pick OmniWM. It's open source, very actively developed, and gives you Niri-style scrolling or Dwindle for each workspace. If you're on macOS 13 Ventura, 14 Sonoma or 15 Sequoia, OmniWM won't run, and [Glidro](/) is the scrolling option. It's also the choice if you want a native scrolling tool with a GUI and direct support from the developer. ## What they have in common Both are native macOS window managers that bring the Niri/PaperWM [scrolling model](/what-is-a-scrolling-window-manager) to the Mac. Windows sit in columns on a horizontal strip, and new windows don't squeeze the old ones. Neither needs SIP changes. Both require Apple silicon, and both have a settings GUI. If you like one, you'll probably get along with the other. ## OmniWM in brief [OmniWM](https://github.com/BarutSRB/OmniWM) started in October 2025 and has moved fast: v0.7.0 shipped on 16 September 2026, and it has about 2,950 GitHub stars (as of September 2026). It's GPL-2.0 and promises "no subscriptions, feature paywalls, trial limits". Each workspace gets one of two layouts: **Niri-style scrolling** or **Hyprland-style Dwindle** (BSP). It has a lot of features: a quake-style drop-down terminal (Ghostty), scratchpads, an overview, a command palette, "Menu Anywhere", tabbed containers, a workspace bar, a multi-monitor routing assistant, and the `omniwmctl` IPC/CLI. Settings live in a GUI (Hotkeys, Monitors, General) and in `~/.config/omniwm/settings.toml`. Install with `brew install --cask omniwm`, from nixpkgs, or from a zip. Its requirements: **macOS 26 Tahoe or later on Apple silicon**, the Accessibility and Input Monitoring permissions, and "Displays have separate Spaces" turned on (Screen Recording is optional). It uses "selected Apple private APIs". ## Glidro in brief [Glidro](/) offers Scrolling. Scrolling uses an endless horizontal strip where opening a window never resizes the others. Inside that model it goes deep. You get stacks (several windows in one column, with stack, pop out and reorder), tabbed columns, width presets plus wider/narrower, full width, and centering of the focused column. It also has a strip minimap while you navigate, a 3- or 4-finger trackpad swipe with adjustable sensitivity, Fn-drag to reorder, and a separate strip on each display. It pairs a native SwiftUI app with the Glidro Engine. Settings apply instantly in a GUI, and the shortcut recorder works on AZERTY, QWERTZ and Dvorak. Automation uses `macglide://action/` URLs and the `GlidroEngine send-cmd` helper. It runs on **macOS 13 Ventura and later** (Ventura, Sonoma, Sequoia and Tahoe) on Apple silicon and needs only the Accessibility permission. It's paid and not open source. ## Side by side | | OmniWM | Glidro | |---|---|---| | macOS | 26 Tahoe or later | 13 Ventura or later (13, 14, 15, 26) | | Chip | Apple silicon | Apple silicon | | Layouts | Niri-style scrolling or Dwindle, per workspace | Scrolling | | Config | Settings GUI + settings.toml | GUI, applies instantly (native preferences) | | Permissions | Accessibility + Input Monitoring; separate Spaces on | Accessibility | | SIP changes | None | None | | Release signing | Check OmniWM release | Developer ID signed and notarized by Apple | | CLI | omniwmctl | GlidroEngine send-cmd + macglide URLs | | Extras | Quake terminal, scratchpads, overview, command palette, workspace bar | Overview, strip minimap, session restore, app include/exclude rules | | Install | Homebrew cask, nixpkgs, zip | Payhip downloads; signed and notarized 1.1.0 app | | Source | Open source, GPL-2.0 | Closed source | | Price | Free | $9.99 before applicable taxes one time, lifetime | | Support | GitHub | Glidro email support | ## The differences that actually decide it ### 1. Your macOS version This decides it for most people. OmniWM needs Tahoe. If your Mac runs Ventura, Sonoma or Sequoia, because of work policy, an app that isn't ready for Tahoe, or plain preference, OmniWM isn't an option today. Glidro supports macOS 13 and later. ### 2. One model or two OmniWM lets you run a scrolling workspace next to a Dwindle (BSP) workspace. If you sometimes want classic tiling, that's a real advantage. Glidro offers Scrolling. Stacks and tabbed columns give you vertical splits and grouping inside the strip. If "focused" sounds limiting rather than appealing, lean toward OmniWM. ### 3. Power-user extras OmniWM adds a quake terminal, scratchpads and a command palette. Glidro also has an overview for finding windows. Glidro puts its effort into the strip itself: stacks, tabs, widths, trackpad navigation, the minimap, and session restore that keeps column order, stacks and tabs across a restart. ### 4. Permissions and setup OmniWM asks for Accessibility and Input Monitoring, and it needs "Displays have separate Spaces" switched on in System Settings. Screen Recording is optional. Glidro asks only for Accessibility. Neither touches SIP. Glidro 1.1.0 is Developer ID signed and notarized by Apple. OmniWM installs through Homebrew, nixpkgs or a zip. Glidro release downloads come through Payhip. Unexpected engine exits get up to five recovery attempts before manual Resume is needed; intentional Pause stays paused, and quitting brings every off-screen window back onto the screen. ### 5. Free vs paid, community vs developer OmniWM is free, and you can read and change the code. Support comes through GitHub. Glidro is $9.99 before applicable taxes one time for a lifetime license with free updates. If you need help, you contact product support. ## What about Nehir? [Nehir](https://github.com/apphane-dev/nehir) is an "opinionated fork of OmniWM" that keeps only the scrolling (Niri-style columns) layout. It's GPL-2.0, at v0.5.1 with v0.6.0 release candidates (as of September 2026). It uses split TOML config in `~/.config/nehir/` plus a Settings window, and `nehirctl`. Install it with `brew tap guria/tap && brew install --cask nehir`. We haven't verified its minimum macOS or SIP requirements, so check the README. ## Who should use what ### Pick OmniWM if… - you're on macOS 26 Tahoe and want free and open source; - you want both scrolling and Dwindle layouts; - you'll use the quake terminal, scratchpads, overview or `omniwmctl`. ### Pick Glidro if… - you're on macOS 13 Ventura, 14 Sonoma or 15 Sequoia; - you want a native tool with Scrolling that installs like a normal app and is configured in a GUI; - you'd rather contact product support than open a GitHub issue. Still comparing? See [the best scrolling window managers for Mac](/best-scrolling-window-managers-for-mac) or [AeroSpace alternatives](/aerospace-alternatives). **Scrolling tiling on Ventura, Sonoma, Sequoia and Tahoe.** Glidro runs on macOS 13 and later with Apple silicon: a GUI for every setting, no SIP changes, and you can contact product support. Price and checkout: /#pricing (one-time purchase, lifetime license; macOS 13+ on Apple silicon). ## FAQ ### What is OmniWM? OmniWM is a free, open-source (GPL-2.0) tiling window manager for macOS. Each workspace can use Niri-style scrolling or Hyprland-style Dwindle. It needs macOS 26 Tahoe or later on Apple silicon, and it doesn't require disabling SIP. ### Does OmniWM work on macOS Sequoia or Sonoma? No. OmniWM requires macOS 26 Tahoe or later. If you're on macOS 13 Ventura, 14 Sonoma or 15 Sequoia, [Glidro](/) gives you a scrolling layout on those versions (Apple silicon required). ### Is OmniWM free? Yes. It's free and open source, and the project explicitly promises no subscriptions, feature paywalls or trial limits. Glidro is paid: a one-time lifetime license with free updates. ### What is Nehir? Nehir is an "opinionated fork of OmniWM" that keeps only the scrolling (Niri-style columns) layout. It's GPL-2.0, configured with TOML files in `~/.config/nehir/` plus a Settings window. Check its README for macOS version and permission requirements. ### Do OmniWM or Glidro need SIP disabled? Neither does. Glidro 1.1.0 is Developer ID signed and notarized by Apple. OmniWM asks for Accessibility and Input Monitoring and needs "Displays have separate Spaces" on. Glidro asks for Accessibility. ## Related - [AeroSpace alternatives](/aerospace-alternatives) — Seven Mac window managers for people leaving AeroSpace. - [Best scrolling window managers for Mac](/best-scrolling-window-managers-for-mac) — Every option in 2026, ranked honestly — free ones included. - [Niri for Mac](/niri-for-mac) — Every way to get the Niri workflow on macOS, compared. - [yabai without SIP](/yabai-without-sip) — What yabai does with SIP on, and the no-SIP alternatives.