5 Linux Graphical User Interfaces Compared

Linux isn’t just about terminals and green text on black screens (though plenty of us still love that). For everyday users, the real magic happens in the graphical user interface (GUI)—the desktop you click, drag, and work from. And, unlike other operating systems that force you into a single design, Linux offers a virtual buffet of GUIs to choose from.

In this post, we'll look at five different Linux graphical user interfaces: KDE, GNOME, XFCE, LXQt, and MATE. We'll start with an introduction to what a GUI is and then provide a brief overview of each of the desktop environments.

What is a GUI (Graphical User Interface)?

A graphical user interface, commonly known as GUI, is the graphical environment of your operating system. It's where you have a desktop and a mouse pointer. Your screen displays your application panels and icons as well.

Each item on your desktop represents files and programs on your system. You can click on those icons with your mouse to open them instead of typing out a command.

Why are There so Many GUIs in Linux?

There are plenty of GUI options in Linux, unlike some operating systems that leave you with only one option. There are several good reasons why Linux has so many different types of GUIs.

The first reason is that the average Linux user appreciates choice. Linux has a real DIY spirit within its community, meaning a lot of users will build the solution that they want. Different types of users enjoy using Linux, and different GUIs are better suited for some than others.

Linux has experienced a surge in GUI options in recent years. They are all free and open-source, which is great for the community. However, with so many options available to users, it can be a challenge to decide which one you want to use on your system.

Your choice of GUI will depend on what kind of user experience you are after. If enough Linux users want to see new features in a GUI, then a new project could be created just to satisfy that need.

What's New in Linux Desktop Environments for 2025

A lot of major Linux desktop environments have made the switch to Wayland as their default in 2025, which offers better security and performance. There’s also better support for high-res displays, which is a must if you have the latest hardware. Gaming has also improved across Linux desktop environments, thanks in large part to the Steam Deck's popularity and the growing Linux gaming community.

There are alternative desktop environments on the market, such as Budgie, Pantheon (elementary OS), and Deepin. Each one has its own take on the desktop and offers a fresh approach to how Linux desktop designs are brought out. With that being said, the five established environments we cover below are still the most widely used and supported options at the moment.

Choosing a Linux GUI in 2025 is more difficult than ever because so many offer great performance and compatibility—more than ever before.

Comparison of 5 Different Linux GUIs

We have chosen a few of the most popular Linux GUIs to compare and analyze. Not all of these different desktop GUIs have been created with the same goals in mind, so you will find that some are more suited to certain types of users.

1. KDE Plasma

KDE Plasma is a very popular desktop environment. Its lightweight design and customization options make KDE Plasma a very versatile platform. You have convenient features, such as mobile phone integration with your Linux system using KDE Connect.

The browser integration allows you to connect with a smartphone browser and use it as a remote control for browsing on your desktop, skipping music tracks on your computer, receiving notifications, and more. You can also share the clipboard between all devices connected with KDE Connect, which is very handy.

The KDE Plasma desktop experience gives users a lot of control over the desktop look and feel. Users can choose their color scheme, move panels anywhere they want them to be, or use a different system font. Users can download custom widgets and add anything from clocks to calendars straight to their panel.

KDE is available on Kubuntu, KDE Neon, OpenSUSE, and Fedora KDE. For a full list, you can check out the KDE website.

2. GNOME

The GNOME desktop environment has been a popular choice for many Linux users over the years. Its popularity is due to the clean, minimalistic look.

GNOME has been designed with usability in mind and is the perfect setup for people who just need the basics to get some work done on their Linux machine. All of the features it offers are neatly tucked away in a desktop dock or application list.

This stability has meant that there are lots of popular Linux distros that use it as their default, and there are forks too, like Cinnamon, which is used with the very popular Mint Linux.

GNOME is a great desktop environment for those who want to customize their experience, but it can be heavy on resources. Older systems might struggle a little if they don’t have enough RAM, or if the processor is a few too many generations behind.

GNOME is a solid choice for experienced and new users alike. Most major distros ship with a few desktop environment options, and GNOME is very often included in this list. Distros that include it by default are Fedora, Ubuntu, Debian and OpenSUSE, to name a few.

3. XFCE

The XFCE desktop environment is an excellent choice for those who want to have a more lightweight and customizable experience than GNOME offers. The interface can be customized, and the features you use most are available with one click from your application dock or menu bar, making it a good choice for PC enthusiasts who enjoy customizing their desktops.

XFCE proves to be a great choice if you need an environment that balances performance with user experience. It’s light on resources but still provides powerful customizations and features.

XFCE is so lightweight that it runs surprisingly well on older hardware. The interface, which may seem familiar to Windows users due to its modern layout and visual appeal, is quite light on system resources.

It falls a little short in terms of customization options, but if you're looking for a desktop environment that looks good and runs well right out of the box, then this is a good choice.

4. LXQt

LXQt came to be after a merger between the LXDE and Razor-qt projects. It is built on the modern Qt toolkit (just like KDE Plasma) and is an extremely lightweight classic desktop that users adapt to quite quickly. Distributions that used to ship with LXDE (like Lubuntu) now use LXQt as their default. 

LXQt’s goal is to be fast and use as few resources as possible. It is designed from the ground up to use less RAM and CPU cycles, making it a great choice for older computers that would otherwise find themselves at a recycling center. The focus on system efficiency makes it viable for single-board computers (like the Raspberry Pi) or for anyone who wants their system to feel responsive and snappy.

LXQt is a no-frills user interface with a standard panel, app menu, and system tray. It doesn't try to reinvent the desktop wheel—it just focuses on maximum speed. It isn’t the prettiest desktop out there, but it offers a clean and functional system that is really stable.

If you’re looking for a desktop that tries to get you maximum power from minimal hardware specs, then LXQt is one of the best choices right now.

5. MATE

MATE is a Linux desktop environment that forked from GNOME 2. MATE was created for users who didn’t like the direction that GNOME 3 was headed, which means that it has all of the features you would expect from a more polished desktop environment.

MATE has many applications within it that allow it to work as well as it does. It uses Caja as a filesystem, Pluma as a text editor, Atril for document reading, and much more.

MATE is a stable environment that also works well for users with older hardware. It’s not as flashy or updated as KDE Plasma or GNOME are currently, but that might be the perfect fit for a project PC.

It would also be suited for a hand-me-down computer that isn't quite up to the task of running anything too memory or CPU-intensive.

Notable Mention: Cosmic DE

A relatively new player in the desktop environment arena is Cosmic DE, developed by the team at System76. It started as a customized version of GNOME, but was then completely rewritten from the ground up in the Rust programming language. 

This was done so that performance was a priority while creating a unique user experience. It launched with Pop!_OS and is now becoming available on other distributions.

Cosmic combines modern ideas, such as GNOME’s customization and KDE’s tiling features. It features a sleek, mouse-friendly interface that also prioritizes keyboard navigation and automatic window tiling. It’s really good at multitasking.

Cosmic DE is a fantastic choice for developers or power users who really want speed and modern features rolled together. 

Quick Answers: Linux Desktop Environment FAQs

What is the Best Linux Desktop Environment for Beginners?

GNOME and KDE Plasma are excellent choices for beginners. GNOME offers a clean and simple interface that's easy to learn. KDE Plasma has a similar Windows-like layout with tons of customization options.

Which Linux GUI Uses the Least Resources?

LXQt uses the least system resources, typically requiring around 200MB of RAM when idle. For slightly better features without leaving the lightweight division, XFCE is an excellent option with good performance on older hardware.

How do I choose the right Linux desktop environment?

Look at your hardware capabilities and the kinds of workflows you’ll be working with before you decide. For modern computers and laptops with 8 GB or more RAM, both KDE Plasma and GNOME work very well. XFCE or LXQt are excellent candidates for older systems with 4GB or less RAM, depending on the features you need.

And the Winner is…

Well, it's complicated. The Linux desktop has come a long way since its humble beginnings. Most Linux distros have a desktop environment that can rival more mainstream operating systems, in looks, and functionality.

It is no surprise that most Linux desktops share a common goal: to improve the desktop experience for the average Linux user. Great visuals, excellent performance, and enhanced functionality are the hallmarks of a great desktop environment.

Each of our examples has a unique approach to achieving these goals, but they all manage to provide an experience that suits the individual needs of their user base.

Therefore, there's no clear-cut answer when deciding the best desktop within the Linux ecosystem. Instead, each desktop environment that we have chosen will work best in different situations, and for different people:

• Choose KDE for cross-device operation and great visuals for modern machines.

• Choose GNOME for a no-nonsense, minimalist desktop.

• Choose XFCE for a familiar desktop that runs well on older systems.

• Choose LXQt for low-powered systems that need all the resources you can spare.

• Choose MATE for users who long for the familiarity of GNOME with user-led enhancements.

If you are undecided about which GUI is right for you, then the great news is that you can try as many Linux distros and desktop environments as you want, for free. 

Finding the right Linux setup is all about experimentation, evaluation, and most importantly, learning through trial and error.

If you're considering developing Linux desktop skills for your career, CBT Nuggets' IT Value Calculator can help you determine the potential return on investment of Linux expertise in today's job market.