12 Best Linux Desktop Environments
You can tell from a mile away if a screenshot is Windows or Mac, and that’s because both commercial operating systems only have one desktop environment. Windows has a Start menu and taskbar, while macOS has its iconic Dock and menu bar.
But search for Linux and you’ll see images that look very different:
This variety stems from the fact that Linux offers far more than just one desktop environment. It’s part of what makes Linux exciting to use, but the breadth of choice can make it hard to choose the one that’s right for you. That’s why we compiled this list of the best Linux desktop environments.
1. GNOME
GNOME is the most popular Linux desktop environment out there. It’s the default for several major Linux-based operating systems, like Ubuntu and Fedora.
GNOME is designed to work on both touch-based devices and traditional PCs. A single panel sits at the top of the screen, just like on a mobile device. Instead of a dock or window list, users interact with windows by opening the Activities Overview, which displays applications, open software, and virtual desktops.
GNOME’s developers use the GIMP Toolkit (GTK+), which may appear when you decide which applications to install.
2. KDE Plasma
KDE Plasma is arguably the best Linux desktop environment for people who enjoy tinkering with their computer’s interface. Every on-screen component is a widget that can be moved, resized, or deleted. With enough tinkering, you can configure the Plasma desktop to look and feel like any other desktop interface.
Software designed for KDE tends to come with a wealth of options. These applications are among the most powerful applications that the Linux desktop has to offer. Side note: KDE developers use Qt, not GTK+.
3. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is the default interface for Linux Mint, one of the most widely used Linux versions out there. It was originally a fork of GNOME at a time when that interface was undergoing a massive change.
Cinnamon retains a more traditional experience that makes long-time Windows users feel at home.
Many people like Cinnamon because it combines familiarity with ease of use. This Linux desktop strikes a balance between adopting new ideas and preserving old ways of doing things.
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4. MATE
When the Cinnamon project forked GNOME, the MATE community was formed to protect what already existed. If you don’t want to transition to GNOME 3.0, MATE provides a way to continue using 2.x.
MATE developers have invested time and effort in updating the backend code, but overall this is still what many consider to be the best Linux desktop environment from more than a decade ago.
The lack of change hasn’t diminished adoption either. Newcomers often view MATE as a more lightweight and traditional alternative to the likes of GNOME, a role also occupied by the next desktop on this list.
5. Xfce
With its mouse as its mascot, Xfce has long existed as a fast interface for Linux-powered computers. It’s not based on GNOME, but it does use the same toolkit.
Today, Xfce feels like a comparable alternative to MATE. Its developers continue to emphasize keeping the interface light, even if that means forgoing the latest bells and whistles.
With a relatively small development team, a lot of time often goes by between updates. The result is that Xfce, like MATE, hasn’t changed much over the years. But many people like the desktop environment as a tried-and-true choice.
6. Pantheon
Pantheon is the desktop environment for elementary OS, and it’s one of the few Linux interfaces so explicitly tied to a Linux-based operating system.
At first glance, Pantheon might resemble macOS. There’s a panel on top, a dock on the bottom, and applications offer a sleek, unified design. But much of Pantheon’s design language actually comes from its founders’ original experience developing for GNOME.
With the elementary project’s innovative pay-as-you-go payment scheme, Pantheon has become a hotbed for new Linux applications. These applications, like the desktop itself, depart from the traditional Linux way of doing things. Pantheon isn’t very customizable or extensible. This is arguably its greatest strength and greatest weakness.
Want a good look at Pantheon? Check out elementary OS.
7. Budgie
Budgie is a relatively young desktop environment born out of the Solus project. It offers a stripped-down interface that, perhaps in contrast to MATE and Xfce, still manages to feel modern. The design language is more suited to the new, even if some of the old desktop paradigms still remain.
Much of Budgie’s early inspiration came from Chrome OS and mobile apps. However, while Budgie feels simpler than some other options, there are still many ways to tweak this Linux desktop to make it feel like your own.
8. Unity
Unity was the former default interface for Ubuntu, the most popular desktop Linux distribution. In Ubuntu 17.10, Canonical stopped development of Unity and started shipping the GNOME desktop.
There are still many Unity fans out there, and many machines are still running the aging interface. While Canonical may be supporting the project for longer, the code is still there for others to adopt and use as they wish
9. LXDE
LXDE exists to be a fast, lightweight, energy-efficient desktop environment. Based on GTK+, it’s an option to consider if Xfce runs slow on your machine or the alternatives are too bloated for your tastes.
LXDE is modular, meaning it’s not all or nothing. You can swap out the default window manager (i.e. OpenBox) for an alternative. Feel free to swap it out for something else, whether it’s a session manager, a network manager, or a sound server.
Want to take a good look at LXDE? Check out Lubuntu up to 18.04.
10.LXQt
There are a few desktop interfaces based on GTK+. Consider that fewer Qt applications are built. If you find KDE Plasma a bit much, LXQt might be more for you.
LXQt was born from the merger of the Qt port of LXDE and Razor-Qt. The latter no longer exists, and LXQt became the successor to LXDE. As a result, this desktop might feel more modern while still running on an older machine.
11. Enlightenment
Enlightenment started more than a decade ago as an interface for desktop computers. It didn’t gain much adoption among Linux users, but it’s still usable and functional. The art style is more skeuomorphic than the cartoonish images often seen in other free desktops.
Today, Enlightenment has expanded to mobile devices, wearables, and TVs. Enlightenment is the window manager and compositor used in Tizen.
12. Sugar
Sugar is a desktop environment designed to help children learn. It’s definitely simple, not in the sense of minimalism, but in terms of complexity. As a result, it’s one of the best Linux desktops for kids to install.
Sugar comes from Sugar Labs, a nonprofit run by volunteers. The project provides not only a desktop environment but also simple applications. These tools are in place so educators can get kids comfortable with computers even in areas with limited economic resources.
Have Fun with Your Linux Desktop Environment
These are the 12 best Linux desktop environments for you, and while I’ve suggested different ways to try each one, those aren’t the only ways. Most Linux-based operating systems allow you to swap out the default desktop for another. Many offer variations of different interfaces right out of the box.
The options don’t stop there, either. To learn more about changing how applications appear on your screen, check out the difference between GTK+ and Qt.
