Linux Desktop Environments: A Comparison and Guide

8 min readAug 31, 2023

Linux is a versatile and powerful operating system that can run on various devices, from servers to smartphones. One of the most appealing features of Linux is the ability to customize it according to your preferences and needs. One of the ways to do that is to choose a desktop environment, which is the graphical interface that you use to interact with the operating system and its applications.

A desktop environment consists of a set of software components that work together to provide a consistent user experience (UX). These components include a window manager, a panel, a launcher, a file manager, a settings manager, and various applications and utilities. There are many desktop environments available for Linux, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we will compare and guide you through some of the best desktop environments for Linux in 2023.

KDE Plasma

KDE Plasma is one of the most popular and feature-rich desktop environments for Linux. It is based on the Qt framework and offers a modern and polished user interface with a lot of customization options. KDE Plasma comes with a set of applications and tools that cover various needs, such as web browsing, multimedia, office, gaming, and more. Some of the notable features of KDE Plasma are:

KDE Connect, which allows you to integrate your smartphone with your desktop and perform tasks such as sending files, controlling media playback, receiving notifications, and more.
Plasma Browser Integration, which connects your web browser with your desktop and enables features such as media controls, downloads management, tab sharing, and more.
Dynamic and flexible workspaces, which let you organize your windows and activities in different layouts and switch between them easily.
A variety of themes and widgets to personalize your UI and UX.
A powerful search tool that lets you find anything on your system or online.

KDE Plasma is suitable for users who want a modern and versatile desktop environment with a lot of functionality and customization possibilities. However, it may also be overwhelming for some users who prefer a simpler and more minimalist interface. KDE Plasma is the default desktop environment for distributions such as Kubuntu, openSUSE, and KDE Neon 1.

MATE

MATE is a desktop environment that is based on GNOME 2, which was the default desktop environment for many Linux distributions until it was replaced by GNOME 3 in 2011. MATE was created for users who were dissatisfied with the changes introduced by GNOME 3 and wanted to keep using the classic GNOME 2 interface. MATE has improved the GNOME 2 interface by adding new features and fixing bugs, while maintaining its simplicity and usability. Some of the features of MATE are:

A traditional desktop layout with a panel, a menu, and icons on the desktop.
A collection of basic applications that cover common tasks such as web browsing, file management, image viewing, text editing, and more.
A number of built-in tools that enhance your productivity and system performance, such as a screenshot tool, a disk usage analyzer, a system monitor, and more.
A lightweight and fast desktop environment that consumes less resources than other desktop environments.

MATE is suitable for users who want a stable and familiar desktop environment that does not require much configuration or customization. It is also ideal for users who have older or low-end hardware that cannot handle more demanding desktop environments. MATE is the default desktop environment for distributions such as Ubuntu MATE 2 , Linux Mint MATE 3 , and Manjaro MATE 4.

GNOME

GNOME is one of the oldest and most widely used desktop environments for Linux. It is based on the GTK framework and aims to provide a simple and elegant user interface that focuses on usability and accessibility. GNOME has undergone several major changes over the years, especially with the release of GNOME 3 in 2011, which introduced a new interface design that was radically different from GNOME 2. GNOME 3 has been criticized by some users for being too minimalist and restrictive, while praised by others for being innovative and intuitive. Some of the features of GNOME are:

GNOME Shell, which is the core component of GNOME 3 that provides the main interface elements such as the top bar, the overview screen, the dash, and the app grid.
GNOME Shell Extensions, which are plugins that allow you to modify or extend the functionality of GNOME Shell.
The Settings app, which is well-organized and easy to use.
A set of applications that are designed to integrate well with GNOME Shell and follow its design principles.
A search tool that lets you search across your system or online.

GNOME is suitable for users who want a simple and elegant desktop environment that does not require much customization or tweaking. It is also ideal for users who value usability and accessibility over performance or aesthetics. GNOME is the default desktop environment for distributions such as Ubuntu, Fedora, and Debian.

XFCE

XFCE is a desktop environment that is known for being fast, lightweight, and stable. It is based on the Xfce framework and offers a classic desktop layout with a panel, a menu, and icons on the desktop. XFCE does not have many bells and whistles, but it provides the essential functionality and features that most users need. Some of the features of XFCE are:

A desktop manager that allows you to add background images, icons, and other items to your desktop.
A panel manager that lets you customize the position, size, appearance, and behavior of your panels.
A launcher that displays the installed applications on your system in categories so that you can find them quickly.
A file manager that provides basic and advanced file management features such as bulk renaming, tabbed browsing, remote access, and more.
A settings manager that lets you configure various aspects of your desktop environment such as appearance, keyboard, mouse, display, power, and more.

XFCE is suitable for users who want a fast, lightweight, and stable desktop environment that does not consume much resources or memory. It is also ideal for users who prefer a classic and simple desktop layout that does not change much over time. XFCE is the default desktop environment for distributions such as Xubuntu, Linux Lite, and MX Linux.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a desktop environment that is based on GNOME 3 but provides a more traditional and familiar desktop layout with a panel, a menu, and icons on the desktop. Cinnamon was created by the developers of Linux Mint as an alternative to GNOME 3 for users who did not like its interface design. Cinnamon has evolved into a mature and independent desktop environment that offers a lot of customization options and features. Some of the features of Cinnamon are:

A panel that can be placed at any edge of the screen and can be customized with various applets.
A menu that can be accessed by clicking on the panel or by pressing the Super key. The menu shows the installed applications, the recent files, the favorites, and the system settings.
A settings app that lets you configure various aspects of your desktop environment such as themes, applets, extensions, fonts, effects, and more.
A file manager that is based on Nemo, which is a fork of Nautilus, the default file manager of GNOME 3.
A set of applications that are based on GNOME 3 applications but have been modified to suit Cinnamon’s design and functionality.

Cinnamon is suitable for users who want a traditional and familiar desktop environment that also offers modern features and customization options. It is also ideal for users who like GNOME 3’s underlying technology but not its interface design. Cinnamon is the default desktop environment for distributions such as Linux Mint, Feren OS, and LMDE.

Budgie

Budgie is a desktop environment that is based on GNOME 3 but provides a more minimalist and elegant user interface with a single panel at the top and a dock at the bottom. Budgie was created by the developers of Solus as an original and distinctive desktop environment for their distribution. Budgie has gained popularity among users who appreciate its simplicity and beauty. Some of the features of Budgie are:

A panel that can be customized with various widgets such as clock, calendar, notifications, system tray, sound, power, and more.
A menu that can be accessed by clicking on the panel or by pressing the Super key. The menu shows the installed applications, the places, the recent files, and the system settings.
A dock that can be placed at any edge of the screen and can be customized with various options such as size, icon size, behavior, theme, and more.
A settings app that lets you configure various aspects of your desktop environment such as appearance, fonts, panels, widgets, dock, notifications, and more.
A set of applications that are based on GNOME 3 applications but have been modified to suit Budgie’s design and functionality.

Budgie is suitable for users who want a minimalist and elegant desktop environment that does not require much customization or tweaking. It is also ideal for users who like GNOME 3’s underlying technology but want a different interface design. Budgie is the default desktop environment for distributions such as Solus, Ubuntu Budgie, and Manjaro Budgie.

LXQt

LXQt is a desktop environment that is based on Qt framework and offers a lightweight and modular user interface with a panel, a menu, and icons on the desktop. LXQt is the successor of LXDE, which was based on GTK framework. LXQt aims to provide a fast and user-friendly desktop environment that does not compromise on performance or functionality. Some of the features of LXQt are:

A panel that can be customized with various plugins such as clock, menu, system tray, taskbar, and more.
A menu that can be accessed by clicking on the panel or by pressing the Super key. The menu shows the installed applications, the places, the recent files, and the system settings.
A file manager that is based on PCManFM-Qt, which is a fork of PCManFM, the default file manager of LXDE.
A settings app that lets you configure various aspects of your desktop environment such as appearance, icons, fonts, keyboard, mouse, display, power, and more.
A set of applications that are based on Qt framework and are lightweight and fast.

LXQt is suitable for users who want a lightweight and modular desktop environment that does not consume much resources or memory. It is also ideal for users who prefer a classic and simple desktop layout that can be customized with plugins. LXQt is the default desktop environment for distributions such as Lubuntu, LXLE, and SparkyLinux.

Conclusion

Linux desktop environments are one of the most important aspects of Linux operating system that affect your user experience and satisfaction. There are many desktop environments available for Linux, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. In this article, we have compared and guided you through some of the best desktop environments for Linux in 2023. We hope that this article has helped you to choose the best desktop environment for your needs and preferences. However, you can always try out different desktop environments and see which one suits you best. After all, Linux is all about choice and freedom.