Finding quality system trays for Linux can be challenging due to limited documentation and scattered resources. However, there are several great system tray options available for Linux users. This blog post highlights some of the best and most useful system trays.

System Trays

Flameshot

Flameshot is a powerful screenshot tool for Linux that allows you to take screenshots of your screen, annotate them, and share them with others.

Executing the following command will run Flameshot as a system tray:

flameshot gui

Use the print screen key to take a screenshot of your screen, and Flameshot will automatically save the screenshot to your clipboard. You can also click on the Flameshot icon in the system tray to take a screenshot.

Redshift

Redshift is a color temperature adjustment tool for Linux that allows you to adjust the color temperature of your screen to reduce eye strain and improve sleep quality. The system tray icon for Redshift allows you to quickly enable or disable the color temperature adjustment.

Executing the following command will run Redshift as a system tray:

redshift-gtk -l lat:lon

Syncthing

Syncthing is a file synchronization tool for Linux that allows you to synchronize files between multiple devices. The system tray icon for Syncthing allows you to quickly see if files are synced, which directories are being synced and the speed of synchronization. It also shows you history, devices and recent changes.

The GitHub repository for the syncthingtray project is here.

Executing the following command will run Syncthing as a system tray:

syncthingtray-qt6 --wait

Pasystray

Pasystray is a system tray icon for PulseAudio that allows you to quickly adjust the volume of your audio devices. The system tray icon for Pasystray allows you to quickly mute or unmute your audio devices, adjust the volume of your audio devices, and switch between audio devices.

The GitHub repository for the pasystray project is here.

Executing the following command will run Pasystray as a system tray:

pasystray

NetworkManager

NetworkManager is a system tray icon for managing network connections on Linux. The system tray icon for NetworkManager allows you to quickly connect to or disconnect from a network, view the status of your network connection, and view the available networks.

Executing the following command will run NetworkManager as a system tray:

nm-applet

Your Favorite System Trays?

This list is by no means exhaustive, and there are many other great system trays available for Linux. I'll be updating this list as I discover more system trays for Linux. What are your favorite system trays for Linux? Share them!