Key Difference
Both fluxbox and openbox are based off the minimal window manager, which is more famous for how it looks ‘under the hood’ than it does in use. They both vary according to the configuration files they use. Fluxbox WM and Openbox WM, both can use the xorg-system-core, with NO desktop environment. Much like what Crunchbang and Archbang have done. Fluxbox uses its own toolbar Whereas in openbox you can use one of the many others such as tint, visibility, fbpanel, etc. Fluxbox themes can have pictures as background (buttons for example). It’s somewhat more esthetic than Openbox..
What is Fluxbox?
Fluxbox uses a custom configuration file syntax. Fluxbox is a window manager for X that was based on the Blackbox 0.61.1 code. It is very light on resources and easy to handle but yet full of features. The stable release of fluxbox was on February 8, 2002. Fluxbox is able to use tabs.
What is Openbox?
Openbox uses XML. Openbox is a highly configurable, next generation window manager with extensive standards support. openbox was initially released on 18 September 2002. Openbox seems to be growing in popularity, with more Linux OS-distro systems using Ob as the default WM.
Key Differences between Fluxbox and Openbox
- Fluxbox’ configuration files are somewhat easier to understand and modify whereas Openbox’ are still really easy.
- Fluxbox uses its own toolbar Whereas in openbox you can use one of the many others such as tint, visibility, fbpanel, etc.
- Fluxbox is able to use tabs as compared to openbox.
- Fluxbox can use icons in its right-click menuas compared to openbox.
- Openbox is a tiny bit faster, but if you’re on a system that’s anywhere near modern you won’t really notice the difference.
- Fluxbox themes can have pictures as background (buttons for example). It’s somewhat more esthetic than Openbox..
- Configuration via the configuration files is also dead easy for fluxbox.
- Fluxbox is still closely based on Blackbox. Openbox, was also, based on Blackbox but has grown more apart/distant from the BB-base, with using and building it’s own configs and apps.
Although, Openbox seems to be growing in popularity, with more Linux OS-distro systems using Ob as the default WM. - People usually choose fluxbox because they don’t have to install a panel as it has a built in panel.