Categories: Ubuntu

Best Ubuntu Desktop Environments

The desktop environment plays an important role in giving the look and feel to the Ubuntu desktop. We are in 2023 and we are experiencing continuous developments and evolution in Linux desktop environments.

There is a desktop environment for every type of user: a lightweight distro for normal user and an efficient desktop environment for professional users like gamers, developers, and security analysts.

Today, we will look at some of the best Ubuntu desktop environments.

Table of Contents

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1. GNOME

GNOME, which stands for GNU Network Object Model Environment, is one of the most widely used and popular desktop environments around the globe. It is free to use and is an open-source desktop environment. Its user interface is quite simple and easy to use which makes it ideal for newbies.

2. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is another reliable desktop environment which comes with many innovative features and a beautiful user interface. Its desktop layout is quite similar to the GNOME desktop environment. Its interface is very easy to use and makes you feel at home at the first go.

This Ubuntu desktop environment also ships-in with a set of native apps and powerful utility tools and configurations which makes it ideal for all set of users.

It is developed by customizing and modifying the GNOME 3 shell. It can be a reliable alternative to the GNOME desktop environment.

3. Budgie

Developed by Solus project, Budgie is another popular Ubuntu desktop environment. Ubuntu Budgie is an official Ubuntu flavor which ships-in with the Budgie desktop environment as the default.

It comes with modern user interface which is very easy to use, thanks to its great desktop layout. It is a great desktop environment for the new as well as professional users. It is a powerful desktop environment that comes with powerful customization features.

4. MATE

MATE is another Ubuntu desktop environment. Ubuntu MATE is an official Linux distribution. It is an attractive desktop environment that comes with simple and beautiful user interface.

MATE is backed by active community, and it is constantly under development in a quest to offer a great end-user experience by adding a timely support for new technologies.

5. XFCE

XFCE is a lightweight desktop environment. It is compatible with a wide range of Linux distros alongside Ubuntu. It is a simple yet powerful desktop environment with simple user interface.

It is an ideal desktop environment for computers with low system resources. Its desktop manager helps you to add background images, icons, and other items to your desktop.

XFCE ships-in with various apps and add-ons such as terminal emulator, CD and DVD burning app, photo viewer, and many more.

6. KDE PLASMA

KDE Plasma is one of the widely-used desktop environments. It is an ideal desktop environment for normal as well as professional users as it comes with various tools and services.

It ships-in with some of the best default applications like KGeoTag which is photo geo tagging program, and Dolphin which is a file manager. It comes with modern and sleek user interface.

It is a highly customizable desktop environment. You can customize the widgets, themes, and panels, and gives the feel that you want to the desktop. KDE connect also helps you to sync between your desktop and Android phone. It is a great desktop environment for gaming and multi-tasking.

Conclusion

These are some of the best and reliable Ubuntu desktop environments that you can use. There are other Ubuntu desktop environments that you can try like Deepin, Pantheon, LXQt, and Enlightenment.