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Top Alternatives to Unity

Looking for Unity alternatives? We've curated 17 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.

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GNOME

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 Unity

Clean and modern user interface compared to Unity
Xfce

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 Unity

Extremely lightweight and fast. compared to Unity
KDE

KDE

Open Source

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.

Key Features

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

vs Unity

Extremely customizable interface compared to Unity
Cinnamon

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 Unity

Familiar and traditional interface compared to Unity
Docky

Docky

Open Source

Docky is a lightweight and highly customizable dock application designed to streamline your workflow by providing quick access to frequently used applications and managing open windows efficiently. It sits neatly on your desktop, offering a visually appealing and functional alternative to traditional taskbars.

Key Features

  • Highly customizable appearance and behavior.
  • Efficiently manages open windows.
  • Includes useful integrated tools like Notepad and Clipboard Monitor.

vs Unity

Highly customizable appearance and behavior. compared to Unity
LXDE

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 Unity

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

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 Unity

Highly lightweight and performs well on older hardware. compared to Unity
Avant Window Navigator

Avant Window Navigator (AWN) is a highly customizable dock-like application launcher and task manager for Linux, providing a modern and efficient way to interact with your desktop environment and open applications.

Key Features

  • High degree of customization for appearance and behavior.
  • Extensive functionality through a wide range of plugins (applets).
  • Intuitive window management for easy switching between applications.

vs Unity

High degree of customization for appearance and behavior. compared to Unity
ObjectDock

ObjectDock

Commercial

ObjectDock is a robust and highly customizable dock utility for Windows, providing users with an alternative or supplementary way to launch applications, organize tasks, and enhance their desktop's aesthetic with a familiar dock interface.

Key Features

  • Highly customizable appearance and behavior
  • Provides quick access to frequently used applications
  • Attractive and modern visual interface

vs Unity

Highly customizable appearance and behavior compared to Unity
Enlightenment

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 Unity

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

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 Unity

Extremely lightweight and resource-efficient compared to Unity
GnomePanel

GnomePanel

Open Source

GnomePanel is a robust, highly customizable panel for the GNOME desktop environment, serving as a launcher, taskbar, and central hub for system information and applications. It offers flexible customization options to tailor the desktop experience.

Key Features

  • Highly customizable with applets
  • Familiar and intuitive interface
  • Efficient application launching and window management

vs Unity

Highly customizable with applets compared to Unity
Lumina 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.

Key Features

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

vs Unity

Extremely lightweight and resource-efficient. compared to Unity
Cairo 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.

Key Features

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

vs Unity

Highly customizable and modular interface. compared to Unity
Circle Dock

Circle Dock

Open Source

Circle Dock is a free, open-source application launcher and dock for Windows that provides a unique circular, oval, or spiral arrangement for its icons. It offers a visually distinct alternative to traditional taskbars and docks, focusing on customization, portability, and offering a smooth user experience.

Key Features

  • Unique and easily accessible circular interface.
  • Extensive customization options for appearance and behavior.
  • Portable version available, ideal for use on multiple computers.

vs Unity

Unique and easily accessible circular interface. compared to Unity
Budgie

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 Unity

Clean and modern aesthetic compared to Unity
XWindows Dock

XWindows Dock was a visually appealing application launcher for Windows, designed to replicate the iconic dock experience found in macOS Leopard. It allowed users to easily launch applications, manage open windows, and customize their desktop with various skins and settings.

Key Features

  • Aesthetically pleasing replication of macOS dock.
  • Streamlined application launching.
  • Effective window management integration.

vs Unity

Aesthetically pleasing replication of macOS dock. compared to Unity

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