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Desktop Environment Comparison

eylenburg.github.io/de_comparison.htm Desktop Customization Website

This page compares desktop environments for Linux and Unix, with macOS and Windows included for reference.

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eylenburg.github.io/de_comparison.htm
Desktop Environment Comparison homepage screenshot

About Desktop Environment Comparison

This page compares the main desktop environments for Linux and Unix in a single table. macOS and Windows are included for reference. It covers KDE Plasma, GNOME, Xfce, MATE, Cinnamon, LXQt, COSMIC, Budgie, Aqua (macOS) and the Windows Shell.

For each environment, the table lists license, first release year, the project it was forked from, GUI toolkit, window manager, display manager, bundled applications such as file manager, image viewer and media player, display server support, and support for fractional scaling, HDR and variable refresh rate. The page also describes how the Linux desktop landscape has split since GNOME 3 was released in 2011. An older, longer version of the comparison covers additional environments but has not been updated since the beginning of 2022. The short table is best viewed on a 1920px wide (Full HD) monitor at 100% display scaling.

Key features

  • Side-by-side table of ten desktop environments, including KDE Plasma, GNOME and Xfce
  • Lists license, first release year and fork origin for each environment
  • Compares GUI toolkit, window manager and display manager choices
  • Compares bundled file manager, archive, document, image and text editor applications
  • Shows X11 or Wayland display server support and fractional scaling for HiDPI monitors
  • Shows HDR and variable refresh rate support for each environment
Best for: People choosing a desktop environment for Linux or Unix who want a side-by-side feature comparison.
Good for
  • Places Linux and Unix desktop environments beside macOS and Windows for reference
  • Puts many technical attributes in one table for direct comparison
Watch out for
  • The longer version with more environments was last updated at the beginning of 2022 and will not be updated
  • The short table is designed for a 1920px wide monitor at 100% display scaling

Desktop Environment Comparison at a glance

Type
Website
Pricing
Not confirmed. Check the site
Platforms
Linux, macOS, Web, Windows
Open source
Not stated
Language
English
Last checked
Oct 6, 2026 · Online when checked
Listed
Oct 5, 2026
linuxmacosdesktop customization

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Desktop Environment Comparison FAQ

Which desktop environments are included in the short comparison table?
The short table covers KDE Plasma, GNOME, Xfce, MATE, Cinnamon, LXQt, COSMIC and Budgie, plus Aqua (macOS) and the Windows Shell for reference.
Is the older, extended comparison still updated?
No. The extended version was up to date as of the beginning of 2022 and will not be updated anymore. It adds Pantheon, Deepin, UKUI, CDE, Enlightenment, Trinity, UnityX and Lumina.
What screen setup is recommended for viewing the table?
The page recommends a monitor with 1920px width (Full HD) at 100% display scaling.
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Listing maintained by Chris McClure and the WebIndexly editors · Updated Oct 12, 2026 · How we rank