Top 20 Remarkable Linux Desktop Environments for You
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7 minute read
When it comes to choosing a Linux desktop environment (DE), you have a wide range of options. A desktop environment is essentially the graphical user interface (GUI) that allows you to interact with your system. Each DE has its own set of features, design philosophy, and strengths. In this blog post, we’ll explore the top 20 Linux desktop environments, covering their unique attributes, system requirements, and the kind of user each is best suited for.
- GNOME
One of the most popular and widely used desktop environments, GNOME (GNU Network Object Model Environment), is known for its simplicity and elegance. The default DE for distributions like Fedora and Ubuntu, GNOME focuses on providing a clean and clutter-free user experience. Detailed overview is in our exclusive post
Pros:
Sleek, modern interface
Active development and frequent updates
Extensions to enhance functionality Cons:
Heavy on system resources
May feel oversimplified for power users
- KDE Plasma
KDE Plasma is another major player in the Linux desktop world. It is known for being highly customizable, lightweight, and feature-rich. KDE Plasma is perfect for users who want complete control over their Linux Desktop Environments. You can also find detailed overview about KDE Plasma in our blog post.
Pros:
Extremely customizable
Lightweight and fast
Modern, intuitive design Cons:
Customization may be overwhelming for new users
- XFCE
XFCE is a lightweight desktop environment designed for speed and simplicity without sacrificing a complete feature set. It is an ideal choice for older or resource-constrained systems, making it a popular choice for minimalistic distributions. You can also find detailed overview about XFCE Linux Desktop Environments in our blog post.
Pros:
Lightweight and fast
Simple and easy to use
Highly configurable without bloat Cons:
Lacks some modern visual appeal compared to GNOME or KDE
- Cinnamon
Cinnamon is the default desktop environment for Linux Mint and is designed to be familiar to users coming from Windows. It strikes a balance between simplicity, aesthetics, and functionality.
Pros:
User-friendly, especially for Windows users
Aesthetically pleasing
Active development with frequent updates Cons:
Moderate resource usage
Limited customization compared to KDE
- MATE
MATE is a continuation of the GNOME 2 desktop environment, developed for users who prefer a traditional desktop interface. It’s fast and stable, with a focus on productivity and efficiency.
Pros:
Lightweight and fast
Traditional desktop layout
Supports older hardware Cons:
Limited modern features compared to GNOME and KDE
- LXQt
LXQt is a lightweight desktop environment that focuses on being low on resource usage. It’s the successor to LXDE and is built using the Qt toolkit, making it ideal for low-end hardware.
Pros:
Extremely lightweight
Customizable through Qt-based applications
Low system requirements Cons:
Less visually appealing than GNOME or KDE
Fewer features than heavier desktop environments
- Budgie
Budgie is developed by the Solus project but is also available on various other distributions. It combines modern design with simplicity, aiming to be user-friendly without sacrificing power.
Pros:
Clean and modern look
Integrated with GNOME stack for software compatibility
User-friendly design Cons:
Somewhat higher resource consumption than other lightweight DEs
- Pantheon
Pantheon is the default desktop environment for the elementary OS distribution. It is designed to provide a simple, elegant experience with a focus on ease of use and aesthetics, often drawing comparisons to macOS.
Pros:
Sleek, minimalist design
Simple and intuitive
Well integrated into elementary OS Cons:
Lacks customization options
Resource usage may be high for older systems
- Deepin DE
Deepin Desktop Environment (DDE) is a beautifully designed DE that emphasizes ease of use and aesthetics. Developed by the Deepin project, it offers a sleek and modern interface that is highly polished.
Pros:
Stunning design
Highly polished interface
User-friendly Cons:
Heavier on system resources
Limited customization options
- Enlightenment
Enlightenment is a lightweight and modular desktop environment that has been around for a long time. It is known for its high configurability and unique design approach.
Pros:
Extremely lightweight
Modular and highly customizable
Unique design philosophy Cons:
Learning curve for new users
May lack polish in certain areas
- i3
i3 is a tiling window manager rather than a full desktop environment, but it’s often grouped with DEs due to its popularity. It offers a keyboard-driven interface that is highly efficient for power users who prefer speed and precision over aesthetics.
Pros:
Lightweight and fast
Perfect for power users
Highly customizable Cons:
Steep learning curve
Minimal visual appeal
- Openbox
Openbox is a minimalistic window manager that can be used as a standalone desktop environment or as part of a more complex DE. It is ideal for users who prefer a clean, barebones approach to their GUI.
Pros:
Extremely lightweight
Customizable and flexible
Low on resource consumption Cons:
No default panel or taskbar
May require manual setup for additional features
- Fluxbox
Fluxbox is another lightweight window manager with a focus on simplicity and speed. While it offers fewer features than a full desktop environment, it can be extended with additional software.
Pros:
Fast and resource-efficient
Simple and minimalistic
Highly configurable Cons:
Basic user interface
Lacks out-of-the-box functionality
- Trinity
Trinity Desktop Environment (TDE) is a fork of KDE 3.5, maintained for users who prefer the classic KDE interface. It aims to provide a lightweight yet functional desktop experience.
Pros:
Lightweight KDE alternative
Traditional KDE look and feel
Good for older hardware Cons:
Lacks modern KDE Plasma features
Less actively developed
- Sugar
Sugar is a desktop environment designed specifically for educational use, particularly for younger students. It was originally created for the OLPC (One Laptop per Child) project and focuses on simplicity and usability.
Pros:
Simple and easy to use
Designed for educational purposes
Engages young users Cons:
Limited use outside of educational contexts
Lacks advanced features
- Awesome
Awesome is a highly configurable tiling window manager aimed at power users. It offers dynamic window management and is entirely keyboard-driven, making it ideal for users who want speed and efficiency.
Pros:
Lightweight and efficient
Highly customizable
Tiling layout for productivity Cons:
Steep learning curve
Minimal visual appeal
- LXDE
LXDE (Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment) is designed to be fast and lightweight while remaining full-featured. It is an excellent choice for older hardware or users who want a minimal desktop experience.
Pros:
Extremely lightweight
Low system requirements
Simple and easy to use Cons:
Lacks modern features
Aesthetically outdated compared to other DEs
- Sway
Sway is a tiling window manager that works as a Wayland compositor. It is an excellent option for users who want a tiling window manager like i3 but with Wayland support.
Pros:
Wayland support
Lightweight and fast
Similar to i3 for keyboard-driven workflows Cons:
Fewer graphical options
Requires some configuration for advanced use
- Unity
Unity was the default desktop environment for Ubuntu before it switched to GNOME. Despite being officially discontinued by Canonical, Unity still has a loyal user base and is available in community-maintained versions.
Pros:
Unique, clean design
Simple to use
Integrated search and productivity features Cons:
Officially discontinued
Heavy on system resources
- Qtile
Qtile is a tiling window manager written in Python, making it highly customizable for developers and advanced users. It’s lightweight, fast, and ideal for those who want to tweak every aspect of their desktop experience.
Pros:
Lightweight and fast
Written in Python for easy customization
Tiling window manager for efficient workflows Cons:
Steep learning curve
Requires knowledge of Python for customization
Choosing the Right Desktop Environment
With such a wide variety of desktop environments available for Linux, it can be challenging to choose the right one for your needs. Here are a few tips to help guide your decision about Linux Desktop Environments:
for Modern Aesthetics**: Consider GNOME, KDE Plasma, or Deepin if you value a sleek, modern look.
for Lightweight Performance**: XFCE, LXQt, and Openbox are excellent choices for older or less powerful hardware.
for Customization**: KDE Plasma and i3 provide unparalleled levels of customization and flexibility.
for Simplicity**: Cinnamon, MATE, and Budgie are user-friendly environments that are easy to navigate.
for Education**: Sugar is specifically designed for educational purposes. No matter which desktop environment you choose, Linux offers a level of flexibility and freedom that is unmatched by other operating systems. Experimenting with different Linux Desktop Environments is a great way to find the one that suits your workflow and preferences the best.