Linux is a versatile and open source kernel system, on top of that, lots of free and customizable OS or distros are being made by various IT firms and community. All those best Linux Desktop Environments provide lots of options and configuration for all type of users.
When you install a Linux distro, it comes with a rebuilt desktop environment. There are lots of popular Linux desktop environments available for Linux in the market but choosing the best one, depending on requirement, quite difficult for the newbie. So that makes me create this detailed tutorial on best Linux desktop environments.
This tutorial will definitely help both a newbie and advanced user to get the best one for the Linux Desktop Environments. Here I will be only focusing on How to install those Linux desktop environments on Ubuntu. So if you are running Ubuntu Gnome or unity desktop, and want to get the taste of Linux Desktop Environments, what should you do? Will you install all the best Linux Desktop Environments one by one? The answer is no. You can try all but one by one. This will save your Linux Desktop Environments and time as well.
Top 10 Best Linux Desktop Environments
Keeping this thought in mind, I am going to share a list of Best Linux Desktop Environments and shells, which can be installed on different Ubuntu versions through Terminal.
1. GNOME Desktop Environment
2. Xfce
3. KDE Plasma
4. LXDE (Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment)
5. Cinnamon Desktop
6. Pantheon
7. GNOME Flashback (Ubuntu Classic/GNOME Panel
8. MATE Desktop
9. Unity 8/Next (Desktop mode)
10. Budgie
Best Linux Desktop Environments
1. GNOME Desktop Environment
Gnome Desktop Environment is one of the best and popular desktop environment in the world of Linux. This desktop environment is under active development and easily integrates with the latest hardware and software. Moreover, Canonical has adopted Gnome for Ubuntu OS as default desktop environment. It also offers a set of Best Gnome Extensions which increases the functionality of the system. Gnome Desktop Environment is one of the best and most famous Best Linux Desktop Environments updated for 2021.
2. Xfce Environment Desktop
Xfce is a lightweight desktop environment, which takes fewer resources, and does not demand hardware acceleration. It’s basically made for a Unix-like distro. Xfce is very fast and user-friendly. This handy desktop environment comes with some unique apps and panel extension, which increases the utility of the system. Install it by the following command. XFCE is one of the best and most famous Best Linux Desktop Environments updated for 2021.
3. KDE Plasma Desktop
After Gnome, KDE Plasma is the most used and customizable desktop environment for Linux. It offers a wide range of options that let the user solve the general task smoothly. Unlike Ubuntu Unity 3D, it demands accelerated hardware for a smooth run. KDE Plasma is one of the best and most famous Best Linux Desktop Environment updated for 2021.
4. LXDE (Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment)
LXDE is an incredibly lightweight Linux desktop environment, which focuses on high performances but using fewer resources. It does not need any hardware acceleration, rather it can be run on a very old machine. It’s very fast, customizable, and takes less memory. Run the following code in Terminal. LXDE (Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment) is one of the best and most famous Best Linux Desktop Environments updated for 2021.
5. Cinnamon Desktop
Cinnamon is a very popular desktop environment. It’s the default Desktop Environment on Linux Mint. This desktop environment is a fork of Gnome shell, thus it demands high hardware acceleration and a 3D environment. This desktop is suitable for those, who just came from windows OS. With the help of extension manager, cinnamon can do lots of productivity task. Cinnamon Desktop is one of the best and most famous Best Linux Desktop Environments updated for 2021.
6. Pantheon Desktop
Pantheon is a lightweight and modular based desktop environment which is used in elementary OS as default DE. The GUI is similar to Apple’s Mac OS. This DE can be installed on any machine running Ubuntu. Pantheon Desktop is one of the best and most famous Best Linux Desktop Environments updated for 2021.
7. GNOME Flashback (Ubuntu Classic/GNOME Panel
Gnome Flashback is basic and classic desktop environment, which gives a pure taste of old Ubuntu system. It’s lightweight and fast. Basically, it’s based on early version of the Ubuntu. GNOME Flashback (Ubuntu Classic/GNOME Panel is one of the best and most famous Best Linux Desktop Environment updated for 2021.
8. MATE Desktop
Ubuntu MATE is another forked version of Gnome 2. When Gnome 3 created, many users wanted to stay with the old version of Gnome 2. Thus this desktop environment is being made to get the old taste. This DE can be used and best suitable for the old laptop. MATE Desktop is one of the best and most famous Best Linux Desktop Environment updated for 2021.
9. Unity 8/Next (Desktop mode)
As it seems that Ubuntu is going to discontinue the development of homemade Unity desktop. But here I will be showing how to install Unity 8 for those who really want to get the taste of this best desktop environment.Remember this DE is in early stage and under heavy development, thus provides an unstable system and lots of security bug. Use at your own risk. Unity 8/Next (Desktop mode) is one of the best and most famous Best Linux Desktop Environment updated for 2021.
10. Budgie Desktop
Budgie is a regular and flagship DE made for Solus OS. This DE provides lots of customization like desktop widgets, beautiful themes and icons, dark theme mode, and in-depth features of the panel. Here you can install this desktop environment by the following command into Terminal. Budgie Desktop is one of the best and most famous Best Linux Desktop Environment updated for 2021.