wicd vs NetworkManager : Which is Better?

wicd icon

wicd

Wicd (Wireless Interface Connection Daemon) is an open source software utility to manage both wireless and wired networks for Linux.

License: Open Source

Categories: Network & Admin Security & Privacy System & Hardware

Apps available for Linux Xfce

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NetworkManager icon

NetworkManager

NetworkManager is a daemon that sits on top of libudev and other Linux kernel interfaces and provides a high-level interface for the configuration of the network interfaces.

License: Open Source

Categories: Network & Admin

Apps available for Linux

wicd VS NetworkManager

Wicd is a lightweight and straightforward network management tool ideal for simpler setups, while NetworkManager offers a more robust and feature-rich experience suitable for complex networking needs. Users who prefer a minimalist approach may gravitate towards Wicd, whereas those requiring advanced features will likely choose NetworkManager.

wicd

Pros:

  • Lightweight and simple interface
  • Easy to configure manually
  • Supports multiple network types (wired, wireless, etc.)
  • Good for low-resource systems
  • Less dependency on other libraries

Cons:

  • Limited GUI features compared to NetworkManager
  • Less support for complex network setups
  • Not as actively maintained as NetworkManager

NetworkManager

Pros:

  • Rich graphical user interface
  • Advanced connection management features
  • Strong community and developer support
  • Supports VPNs and mobile broadband connections
  • Better integration with desktop environments

Cons:

  • Heavier on system resources
  • More complex configuration for advanced users
  • Can sometimes have stability issues with certain network drivers

Compare wicd