Discover the Best Cinnamon Alternatives for Your Linux Desktop
Cinnamon is a popular Linux desktop environment known for providing a traditional user experience with advanced, innovative features. Forged from GNOME Shell, it focuses on making users feel comfortable and at home. However, while Cinnamon offers a familiar layout akin to GNOME 2, users may seek alternatives for various reasons, including different feature sets, performance needs, or simply a desire to explore other desktop environments. This article delves into the best Cinnamon alternatives available today.
Top Cinnamon Alternatives
Whether you're looking for something lighter, more customizable, or just a different approach to your Linux desktop, these alternatives to Cinnamon offer diverse experiences that might be a better fit for your workflow and preferences.
Xfce
Xfce is a free and open-source desktop environment for Unix and Unix-like platforms like Linux and BSD. It aims to be lightweight, extensible by plugins, and feature a modular system, making it an excellent Cinnamon alternative for those prioritizing performance and a nimble desktop without sacrificing functionality.
GNOME
GNOME 3 offers an easy and elegant way to use your computer, designed to give users control and optimize productivity. As a free and open-source desktop environment available on Linux and BSD, GNOME is a robust Cinnamon alternative, particularly for users who appreciate a modern interface, extensibility through extensions, and optimal performance.
KDE Plasma
KDE Plasma is a highly customizable, cross-device work environment from the KDE Community. This free and open-source desktop environment for Linux, BSD, and postmarketOS offers features like blurry transparency, full-text search, and is optimized for fast boot mode, making it a powerful and flexible Cinnamon alternative for those who value deep customization and a modern aesthetic.
MATE
MATE is a direct fork of GNOME 2, created for users who disliked the transition to GNOME 3. This free and open-source desktop environment is available on Linux, BSD, FreeBSD, OpenIndiana, and GhostBSD. MATE is an ideal Cinnamon alternative for those seeking a highly traditional and stable desktop experience reminiscent of older GNOME versions.
LXDE
LXDE, the "Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment," is renowned for its extremely fast performance and energy efficiency. As a free and open-source desktop environment for Linux and BSD, LXDE is a fantastic Cinnamon alternative for users with older hardware or who prioritize minimal resource consumption while still needing a functional desktop environment.
Budgie
Budgie is the flagship desktop of the Solus OS, designed with simplicity and elegance in mind. This free and open-source desktop environment for Linux focuses on a modern user experience. Budgie offers a fresh and clean aesthetic, making it an appealing Cinnamon alternative for those who appreciate a straightforward yet beautiful interface.
LXQt
LXQt is the Qt port and the successor to LXDE, merging the best of lightweight design with modern Qt technologies. As a free and open-source desktop environment for Linux and BSD, LXQt is a strong Cinnamon alternative, particularly for users seeking a lightweight desktop with a modern toolkit and a focus on efficiency.
Enlightenment
Enlightenment is more than just a window manager; it's a suite of libraries for creating beautiful user interfaces with less effort. This free and open-source desktop environment for Mac, Linux, and BSD is known for being lightweight and visually appealing. Enlightenment serves as an excellent Cinnamon alternative for users who desire a unique, highly customizable, and resource-efficient desktop experience.
CDE (Common Desktop Environment)
The Common Desktop Environment (CDE) was a collaboration between major tech companies and is now free and open-source for Linux and BSD. It provides a traditional UNIX desktop experience. CDE is a unique Cinnamon alternative for those interested in a classic, enterprise-grade desktop environment with a historical lineage.
GNUstep
GNUstep is a mature framework for creating advanced GUI desktop and server applications, offering a Unix-like environment with a free API. Available on Windows, Linux, and BSD, GNUstep provides a distinctive desktop environment and is a fascinating Cinnamon alternative for developers or users interested in an Objective-C-based desktop experience.
Exploring these Cinnamon alternatives can help you find the perfect desktop environment that aligns with your performance needs, aesthetic preferences, and workflow. Each offers a unique blend of features and philosophies, ensuring there's a suitable option for every Linux user.