Best Alacarte Alternatives ranked by AI · updated Aug 2026

Alacarte is a graphical editor for GNOME-compatible application menus and desktop entries on Linux. It is useful for organizing categories, hiding launchers, and creating custom application shortcuts.

Developer: GNOME Price: Free 🎯 gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/alacarte

🐧 Linux menu editor desktop entries gnome

Top 6 Alacarte alternatives

MenuLibre

Sean Davis

MenuLibre is a graphical editor for freedesktop.org application entries and desktop menus on Linux. It is aimed at users of XFCE, MATE,...

Pros

Offers a more maintained graphical interface than Obmenu
Edits standard desktop entries that many Linux environments understand
Supports creating custom launchers, categories, and application visibility

Cons

Does not natively edit Openbox's XML menu structure
Changes application metadata rather than providing Openbox-specific submenus
Requires a desktop-menu integration layer for Openbox use

Free

Alternatives to MenuLibre → Visit site

obmenu

Obmenu contributors

Obmenu is a graphical editor for creating and modifying Openbox XML menus on Linux. It is aimed at Openbox users who want...

Pros

Provides a graphical alternative to editing Openbox XML by hand
Supports custom commands, submenus, separators, and menu labels
Small and lightweight compared with full desktop menu editors

Cons

Uses an outdated GTK and Python-based interface
No automatic application discovery comparable to newer generators
Much less actively maintained than current Openbox menu tools

Free

Alternatives to obmenu → Visit site

Obmenu Generator

Trizen

Obmenu Generator is a Perl-based tool that creates Openbox menus from installed applications and user configuration. It suits Linux users who prefer...

Pros

Automatically discovers desktop applications instead of requiring manual entry
More suitable than Obmenu for large or frequently changing application sets
Supports custom menu sections, icons, and pipe menus

Cons

Requires command-line configuration rather than a graphical editor
Perl syntax and configuration are less approachable than Obmenu's GUI
Generated output can require troubleshooting when desktop files are malformed

Free

Alternatives to Obmenu Generator → Visit site

MenuMaker

MenuMaker contributors

MenuMaker generates application menus for Openbox and other X11 window managers by scanning installed programs. It is intended for Linux users who...

Pros

Supports several lightweight window managers, not only Openbox
Creates a usable application menu with one command
Simpler setup than maintaining a large menu.xml manually

Cons

Produces static menus that need regeneration after application changes
Offers fewer interactive editing features than Obmenu
Interface and documentation feel older than newer generators

Free

Alternatives to MenuMaker → Visit site

jgmenu

jgmenu contributors

jgmenu is a standalone X11 menu and application launcher that can display desktop applications, commands, and custom entries. It targets Linux users...

Pros

Provides a modern launcher-style menu without depending on Openbox XML
Supports dynamic menus, search, icons, themes, and keyboard navigation
Works with many window managers and desktop environments

Cons

Does not directly replace Openbox's native menu configuration
Requires learning its own configuration format and command model
Uses more resources than a minimal native Openbox menu

Free

Alternatives to jgmenu → Visit site

XDG Menu Maker

Gapan

XDG Menu Maker generates menus from freedesktop.org desktop entries for Openbox and several other window managers. It is designed for Linux users...

Pros

Uses standard XDG application metadata for broad desktop compatibility
Generates menus for Openbox, Fluxbox, IceWM, and related environments
Avoids manually maintaining every installed application entry

Cons

Primarily a generator rather than a graphical menu editor
Customization is less visual and less immediate than Obmenu
Output quality depends on installed desktop-file metadata

Free

Alternatives to XDG Menu Maker → Visit site

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