Top Alternatives to Enlightenment

Looking for Enlightenment alternatives? We've curated 10 top alternatives that offer similar functionality. Whether you need options, free plans, or open source solutions, explore our comprehensive list to find the perfect fit for your needs.

Open Source

More about Enlightenment

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OS & Utilities

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Enlightenment Alternatives

Below you'll find the best alternatives to Enlightenment. We've analyzed these options based on features, user ratings, and compatibility to help you find the right solution. Each alternative offers unique advantages that might better suit your specific needs and budget.

GNOME

Open Source OS & Utilities Desktop Environment

GNOME is a popular, user-friendly desktop environment for Linux and BSD systems, focusing on simplicity and productivity, enhanced by a wide range of extensions for customization and functionality.

Unique Features

Clean and modern user interface
Effective workflow with Activities Overview
Highly customizable through extensions

Compared to Enlightenment

Clean and modern user interface compared to Enlightenment

Opinionated design may not suit all users unlike Enlightenment

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Xfce

Open Source OS & Utilities Desktop Environment

Xfce is a highly customizable, lightweight, and modular desktop environment for Unix-like operating systems, designed for productivity while retaining a visually appealing interface.

Unique Features

Extremely lightweight and fast.
Highly customizable appearance and layout.
Modular design allows for flexibility.

Compared to Enlightenment

Extremely lightweight and fast. compared to Enlightenment

Default appearance can feel dated to some. unlike Enlightenment

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KDE

Open Source OS & Utilities Desktop Environment

KDE Plasma is a powerful, versatile, and customizable graphical desktop environment designed for Linux and other Unix-like systems. It offers a modern interface, extensive configuration options, and a wide range of included applications, aiming to provide a user-friendly yet highly flexible computing experience.

Unique Features

Extremely customizable interface
Wide range of integrated applications (KDE Gear)
Modular and lightweight architecture

Compared to Enlightenment

Extremely customizable interface compared to Enlightenment

Steep learning curve for deep customization unlike Enlightenment

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Cinnamon

Open Source OS & Utilities Desktop Environment

Cinnamon is a free and open-source desktop environment for Linux and other Unix-like operating systems. Developed by the Linux Mint community, it provides a traditional yet modern user interface, blending familiarity with modern design elements for an intuitive desktop experience.

Unique Features

Familiar and traditional interface
High degree of customization
Relatively lightweight and performant

Compared to Enlightenment

Familiar and traditional interface compared to Enlightenment

Less innovative than some newer desktop environments unlike Enlightenment

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LXDE

Open Source OS & Utilities Desktop Environment

LXDE (Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment) is a free, resource-efficient desktop environment designed for low-spec computers. It offers a classic desktop experience with essential components, focusing on speed and stability for users with limited hardware resources or those who prefer a nimble environment.

Unique Features

Extremely low resource consumption, excellent for old or low-spec hardware.
Very fast and responsive performance.
Simple and familiar classic desktop interface.

Compared to Enlightenment

Extremely low resource consumption, excellent for old or low-spec hardware. compared to Enlightenment

Basic visual appearance compared to modern desktop environments. unlike Enlightenment

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MATE

Open Source OS & Utilities Desktop Environment

MATE is a classic, lightweight desktop environment that continues the GNOME 2 legacy. It offers a traditional and intuitive interface while providing modern functionality and performance.

Unique Features

Highly lightweight and performs well on older hardware.
Offers a traditional and familiar user interface (GNOME 2).
Stable and reliable.

Compared to Enlightenment

Highly lightweight and performs well on older hardware. compared to Enlightenment

Visuals may appear dated compared to modern desktop environments. unlike Enlightenment

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LXQt

Open Source OS & Utilities Desktop Environment

LXQt is a free and open-source lightweight desktop environment for Linux and BSD systems, designed for speed, efficiency, and customization. It is built from the foundation of LXDE and Razor-qt, combining the best of both worlds to provide a modern yet resource-friendly user experience.

Unique Features

Extremely lightweight and resource-efficient
Highly customizable through modular design
Fast and responsive performance

Compared to Enlightenment

Extremely lightweight and resource-efficient compared to Enlightenment

May require more configuration compared to heavier environments unlike Enlightenment

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Lumina Desktop Environment

Open Source OS & Utilities Desktop Environment

Lumina Desktop Environment is a lightweight and highly customizable desktop environment focused on performance and user control. It's designed to be simple, efficient, and extensible through plugins, offering a seamless experience primarily on BSD operating systems but adaptable to others.

Unique Features

Extremely lightweight and resource-efficient.
Highly customizable through themes and plugins.
Modular architecture allows for a tailored experience.

Compared to Enlightenment

Extremely lightweight and resource-efficient. compared to Enlightenment

Smaller community compared to major desktop environments. unlike Enlightenment

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Cairo Shell

Free OS & Utilities Desktop Shell

Cairo Shell offers a lightweight and modular alternative desktop environment for Windows, aiming to replace the standard taskbar and Start Menu with a more customizable and efficient interface.

Unique Features

Highly customizable and modular interface.
Lightweight design with lower resource consumption.
Integrated file management and transfer capabilities.

Compared to Enlightenment

Highly customizable and modular interface. compared to Enlightenment

Project development is discontinued. unlike Enlightenment

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Budgie

Open Source OS & Utilities Desktop Environment

Budgie is a modern and dynamic desktop environment designed for users seeking a balance of elegance and performance. It emphasizes a clean interface and a highly customizable experience, built with modern technologies.

Unique Features

Clean and modern aesthetic
Intuitive user interface
Good performance and resource usage

Compared to Enlightenment

Clean and modern aesthetic compared to Enlightenment

Less extensive customization than some competitors unlike Enlightenment

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GNOME

Open Source OS & Utilities Desktop Environment

GNOME is a popular, user-friendly desktop environment for Linux and BSD systems, focusing on simplicity and productivity, enhanced by a wide range of extensions for customization and functionality.

Unique Features

Clean and modern user interface
Effective workflow with Activities Overview
Highly customizable through extensions

Compared to Enlightenment

Clean and modern user interface compared to Enlightenment

Opinionated design may not suit all users unlike Enlightenment

View Details

Xfce

Open Source OS & Utilities Desktop Environment

Xfce is a highly customizable, lightweight, and modular desktop environment for Unix-like operating systems, designed for productivity while retaining a visually appealing interface.

Unique Features

Extremely lightweight and fast.
Highly customizable appearance and layout.
Modular design allows for flexibility.

Compared to Enlightenment

Extremely lightweight and fast. compared to Enlightenment

Default appearance can feel dated to some. unlike Enlightenment

View Details

KDE

Open Source OS & Utilities Desktop Environment

Unique Features

Extremely customizable interface
Wide range of integrated applications (KDE Gear)
Modular and lightweight architecture

Compared to Enlightenment

Extremely customizable interface compared to Enlightenment

Steep learning curve for deep customization unlike Enlightenment

View Details

Cinnamon

Open Source OS & Utilities Desktop Environment

Unique Features

Familiar and traditional interface
High degree of customization
Relatively lightweight and performant

Compared to Enlightenment

Familiar and traditional interface compared to Enlightenment

Less innovative than some newer desktop environments unlike Enlightenment

View Details

LXDE

Open Source OS & Utilities Desktop Environment

Unique Features

Extremely low resource consumption, excellent for old or low-spec hardware.
Very fast and responsive performance.
Simple and familiar classic desktop interface.

Compared to Enlightenment

Extremely low resource consumption, excellent for old or low-spec hardware. compared to Enlightenment

Basic visual appearance compared to modern desktop environments. unlike Enlightenment

View Details

MATE

Open Source OS & Utilities Desktop Environment

MATE is a classic, lightweight desktop environment that continues the GNOME 2 legacy. It offers a traditional and intuitive interface while providing modern functionality and performance.

Unique Features

Highly lightweight and performs well on older hardware.
Offers a traditional and familiar user interface (GNOME 2).
Stable and reliable.

Compared to Enlightenment

Highly lightweight and performs well on older hardware. compared to Enlightenment

Visuals may appear dated compared to modern desktop environments. unlike Enlightenment

View Details

LXQt

Open Source OS & Utilities Desktop Environment

Unique Features

Extremely lightweight and resource-efficient
Highly customizable through modular design
Fast and responsive performance

Compared to Enlightenment

Extremely lightweight and resource-efficient compared to Enlightenment

May require more configuration compared to heavier environments unlike Enlightenment

View Details

Lumina Desktop Environment

Open Source OS & Utilities Desktop Environment

Unique Features

Extremely lightweight and resource-efficient.
Highly customizable through themes and plugins.
Modular architecture allows for a tailored experience.

Compared to Enlightenment

Extremely lightweight and resource-efficient. compared to Enlightenment

Smaller community compared to major desktop environments. unlike Enlightenment

View Details

Cairo Shell

Free OS & Utilities Desktop Shell

Cairo Shell offers a lightweight and modular alternative desktop environment for Windows, aiming to replace the standard taskbar and Start Menu with a more customizable and efficient interface.