Top Alternatives to KDE

Looking for KDE 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 KDE

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GNOME

Open Source

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.

Key Features

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

vs KDE

Clean and modern user interface compared to KDE

Xfce

Open Source

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

Key Features

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

vs KDE

Extremely lightweight and fast. compared to KDE

Cinnamon

Open Source

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.

Key Features

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

vs KDE

Familiar and traditional interface compared to KDE

LXDE

Open Source

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.

Key Features

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

vs KDE

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

MATE

Open Source

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.

Key Features

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

vs KDE

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

Enlightenment

Open Source

Enlightenment is a highly customizable and lightweight window manager and desktop environment. It's known for its performance efficiency and aesthetic flexibility, offering a modular platform for users seeking a departure from traditional desktop experiences.

Key Features

Extremely lightweight and performant, suitable for older hardware.
Highly customizable interface for a personalized user experience.
Modular architecture allows for a lean and efficient setup.

vs KDE

Extremely lightweight and performant, suitable for older hardware. compared to KDE

LXQt

Open Source

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.

Key Features

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

vs KDE

Extremely lightweight and resource-efficient compared to KDE

Lumina Desktop Environment

Open Source

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.

Key Features

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

vs KDE

Extremely lightweight and resource-efficient. compared to KDE

Cairo Shell

Free

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.

Key Features

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

vs KDE

Highly customizable and modular interface. compared to KDE

Budgie

Open Source

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.

Key Features

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

vs KDE

Clean and modern aesthetic compared to KDE

GNOME

Open Source

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.

Key Features

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

vs KDE

Clean and modern user interface compared to KDE

Xfce

Open Source

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

Key Features

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

vs KDE

Extremely lightweight and fast. compared to KDE

Cinnamon

Open Source

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.

Key Features

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

vs KDE

Familiar and traditional interface compared to KDE

LXDE

Open Source

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.

Key Features

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

vs KDE

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

MATE

Open Source

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.

Key Features

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

vs KDE

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

Enlightenment

Open Source

Enlightenment is a highly customizable and lightweight window manager and desktop environment. It's known for its performance efficiency and aesthetic flexibility, offering a modular platform for users seeking a departure from traditional desktop experiences.

Key Features

Extremely lightweight and performant, suitable for older hardware.
Highly customizable interface for a personalized user experience.
Modular architecture allows for a lean and efficient setup.

vs KDE

Extremely lightweight and performant, suitable for older hardware. compared to KDE

LXQt

Open Source

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.

Key Features

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

vs KDE

Extremely lightweight and resource-efficient compared to KDE

Lumina Desktop Environment

Open Source

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.

Key Features

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

vs KDE

Extremely lightweight and resource-efficient. compared to KDE

Cairo Shell

Free

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.

Key Features

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

vs KDE

Highly customizable and modular interface. compared to KDE

Budgie

Open Source

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.

Key Features

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

vs KDE

Clean and modern aesthetic compared to KDE

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Cinnamon vs KDE

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Enlightenment icon

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Lumina Desktop Environment icon

Lumina Desktop Environment vs KDE

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Cairo Shell icon

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