Compiz brings to life a variety of visual effects that make the Linux desktop easier to use, more powerful and intuitive, and more accessible for users with special needs.

Compiz combines together a window manager and a composite manager using OpenGL for rendering. A "window manager" allows the manipulation of the multiple applications and dialog windows that are presented on the screen. A "composite manager" allows windows and other graphics to be combined together to create composite images. Compiz achieves its stunning effects by doing both of these functions.