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How to choose the best Linux distribution for your needs was covered in the previous chapter of the Linux for Novices course. There is no one Linux distribution that is ideal for all use cases or personas, as we have previously decided. There is no such thing as the best desktop environments for Linux.
A desktop environment, replete with a graphical user interface (GUI) and native programmes, is at the heart of any major Linux distribution. One of the great things about the Linux community is that it always gives you more, and just as there are a myriad of Linux distros to select from, you also have a variety of best desktop environments for Linux to choose from.
But that’s simply another illustration of Linux’s versatility. The best desktop environments for Linux is, in essence, just another piece of software, although a large and intricate one. At the end of the day, you can instal it like any other piece of software. Furthermore, many desktop developers make certain that their creations may be effortlessly draped over your existing installation.
Here is the list of Best Desktop Environments for Linux
Mate
GNOME 2 is the foundation of the MATE desktop environment, and MATE was initially created for those who were dissatisfied with the latest version of the GNOME shell, GNOME 3. Despite being based on GNOME 2, the MATE team has improved the desktop experience in many ways. Take a look at what Ubuntu MATE 20.04 has to offer and you might get the idea.
Taking Ubuntu MATE 20.04 as an example, the MATE desktop is suitable for practically everyone. And, of course, to those who worship GNOME 2 but despise the new GNOME. As important as the user experience is, being the best lightweight laptop or desktop environment for Linux, MATE has many useful features built in, as well as a basic set of apps.
XFCE
XFCE runs on a variety of Linux distributions.Xfce does not support advanced customization, but it is the most performance-oriented desktop environment. A small desktop environment with a large user interface, XFCE is compatible with a wide range of UNIX platforms: Ubuntu, NetBSD, Solaris, Cygwin, OpenBSD, mac OS X, and a wide range of other UNIX platforms including x86, PPC, and It is said to compile on x86, PPC, Sparc, and Alpha architectures.
The XFCE tool is made up of several characteristics that work together to provide the full capabilities of a contemporary best desktop environments for Linux. They are packaged separately, and you can select from a variety of options to create your own personalised workplace atmosphere.
KDE plaza
If you’re the type of person who enjoys tinkering with and changing the way your operating system works, Plasma is perfect for you. In our review, we referred to it as a “Swiss army knife” of DEs. You can customise any feature of Plasma, which means you can make it look virtually exactly like macOS or Windows if you want.
Plasma can be customised in an infinite number of ways, which means that if you’re willing to put in the effort, you can really make it work for any workflow. Take a look at some of the changes done by Garuda Linux to see how much you can customise Plasma.
Deepin
Deepin is best desktop environments for Linux, intended to providing appealing, incredibly simple, safe, and stable systems to people worldwide. Deepin Desktop Environment (DEE) was initially intended to function only with the Deepin Linux distribution. It is now compatible with a variety of Linux distributions, including Arch Linux, Manjaro, and others.
It also has a well-designed and user-friendly interface, making it extremely efficient. Furthermore, the standard system makes it the most user-friendly system with the least amount of alterations and modifications. User Experience is surprisingly similar to traditional desktop architectures such as Windows and Mac OS X, yet a touch better.
GNOME
If a user is already familiar with the Linux environment, GNOME is a user-friendly distribution. However, for new Linux users, the default GNOME interface may be a little perplexing. GNOME has been tailored for new Linux users by a number of Linux distributions, including Zorin OS.
It’s pretty similar to Windows, but it’s GNOME. GNOME core apps are a collection of over 30 essential applications. These apps are more integrated into the best desktop environments for Linux and are updated on a regular basis.
KDE Plasma
The KDE software community’s Plasma Linux desktop environment is one of the most flexible graphical best desktop environments for Linux. It offers the most current design and feel when compared to other desktops. It is available for the Linux operating system family. KDE Plasma also includes tools and utilities referred to collectively as KDE Applications.
You can preview the image file straight from the default KDE Konsole terminal in Plasma 5.19. Many desktop widgets may be found in this feature-rich and sophisticated desktop environment. It allows users to add several panels to their desktop. Jump Lists are another addition to the task manager that allows you to access a program’s major options by right-clicking on its launcher icon.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is best desktop environments for Linux. It is a robust, dependable desktop environment that is compatible with all major operating systems and Linux distributions such as Debian GNU/Linux, Ubuntu LTS, Artix, and Manjaro Linux.
Cinnamon is simple to use and versatile. With minimal effort, you can make it distinctively yours. Cinnamon is customised with themes, plugins, and modules. Users are lured to the user interface’s familiarity and friendliness.
Xfce
Xfce is yet another desktop environment designed for PCs with minimal hardware resources. This lightweight desktop environment is built in accordance with the freedesktop.org principles. Xfce lacks animations and fancy effects while remaining true to its goal. However, it contains all of the basic components and functionality that one would expect from a popular lightweight best desktop environments for Linux.
Despite using fewer system resources, it still provides a visually appealing and user-friendly graphical interface. Furthermore, Xfce includes a plethora of programmes and plugins that you may use to customise your desktop.
Budgie
Budgie is a wonderful canvas if you want a highly customised desktop experience like KDE Plasma but without the steep learning curve. Budgie is similar to the namesake environment or Cinnamon in that it uses many of GNOME’s apps, yet it has a more current appearance.
The best desktop environments for Linux is Budgie is simple to tweak and extend, with many of choices to help you shape it to your liking. Budgie, for example, does not show icons on the desktop by default and has just one workspace, but both of these behaviours may be readily modified using the Budgie Desktop Settings programme.
Pantheon
You may be familiar with Pantheon, the best desktop environments for Linux-based Elementary OS, which is generally referred to as the most beautiful Linux distribution. Its key apps, written in Vala and C, are either built from the ground up or have origins in GNOME applications.
Pantheon’s design philosophy is to minimise the need for the command line. It is also regarded as an attractive and macOS-like desktop, similar to Deepin. The desktop screen has a macOS-style dock at the bottom where users can hang their favourite applications.
Final Words
As previously said, there are numerous options in the Linux world, and the best desktop environments for Linux. Lacks a definitive answer. However, there are some fantastic options in this comparison from which to choose based on your needs. If you want a powerful and feature-rich desktop environment, try KDE or Cinnamon, both of which have a Windows-like interface. If your computer system has limited hardware resources, consider using a lightweight Linux desktop.