Cairo Shell AlternativesDesktop Environments and other similar apps like Cairo Shell

Cairo Shell is described as 'Cairo is a desktop environment for Windows. Its goal is to develop a desktop experience that increases productivity and advances current technology standards' and is a desktop environment in the os & utilities category. There are more than 25 alternatives to Cairo Shell for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Linux, BSD, Mac and Android apps. The best Cairo Shell alternative is KDE Plasma, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Cairo Shell are Xfce, Files, LXDE and LXQt.

Cairo Shell alternatives are mainly Desktop Environments but may also be File Managers or Window Managers. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Cairo Shell.

Cairo Shell

Free • Open Source
Desktop Environment

Cairo is a desktop environment for Windows. Its goal is to develop a desktop experience that increases productivity and...

More about Cairo Shell

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KDE Plasma
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Desktop Environment
Linux
BSD
postmarketOS
25 KDE Plasma alternatives
Plasma is a cross-device work environment by the KDE Community where trust is put on the user's capacity to best define their own workflow and preferences.
- - KDE Plasma is the most popular Linux alternative to Cairo Shell.
- - KDE Plasma is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Cairo Shell.
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KDE Plasma Features
1. LightweightKDE Plasma consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsKDE Plasma can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
3. Dark ModeKDE Plasma supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
4. Full-Text SearchKDE Plasma lets you search for specific words or phrases from inside a document or database.
Customizable
Themes
Transparency
Blurry transparency
Optimized for Fastboot mode
Xfce
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Desktop Environment
Window Manager
Linux
BSD
25 Xfce alternatives
Xfce (pronounced as four individual letters) is a free software desktop environment for Unix and other Unix-like platforms, such as Linux, Solaris and BSD. It aims to be fast and lightweight, while still being visually appealing and easy to use.
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Xfce Features
1. LightweightXfce consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsXfce can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
3. Support for Multiple MonitorsXfce supports the use of multiple displays.
Customizable
Modular System
Files
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
File Manager
File Archiver
Windows
107 Files alternatives
Introducing Files, the ultimate file manager app for Windows. With its sleek and intuitive design, navigating through your files has never been easier. Files features tabs for easy switching between different folders, a column view for quick file browsing, and dual pane support...
- - Files is the most popular Windows alternative to Cairo Shell.
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Files Features
1. Dark ModeFiles supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
2. Ad-freeFiles doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
4. Privacy focusedFiles is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
5. File TaggingFiles can organize and highlight your files with tags and labels.
6. Full-Text SearchFiles lets you search for specific words or phrases from inside a document or database.
7. LightweightFiles consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
8. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Files without registration.
9. Live PreviewInstantly see what your files and documents look like as you create them.
Column View
Built-in themes
Image Preview
Dual Pane Support
Miller columns
Git integration
Hierarchical Structure
Built-in viewer
Multi Column View
Batch Rename Files
Comments about Files as a Alternative to Cairo Shell
pros, cons and recent comments
Guest
Files UWP merely replaces the file browser, not the full explorer shell like Cairo.
Negative comment •
3

jdakfkj333
Files is only a file manager, while Cairo Shell is a desktop environment that can replace the Windows Explorer shell.
Negative comment •
0
LXDE
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Desktop Environment
Linux
BSD
26 LXDE alternatives
The "Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment" is an extremely fast-performing and energy-saving desktop environment. Maintained by an international community of developers, it comes with a beautiful interface, multi-language support...
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LXDE Features
1. LightweightLXDE consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
X server
LXQt
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Desktop Environment
Window Manager
Linux
BSD
25 LXQt alternatives
LXQt is the Qt port and the upcoming version of LXDE, the Lightweight Desktop Environment. It is the product of the merge between the LXDE-Qt and the .
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LXQt Features
1. LightweightLXQt consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
QT Based
X server
Sigma File Manager
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
File Manager
File Search Utility
Windows
Linux
52 Sigma File Manager alternatives
"Sigma File Manager" is a free, open-source, quickly evolving, modern file manager (explorer / finder) app for Windows and Linux.
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Sigma File Manager Features
1. Dark ModeSigma File Manager supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
2. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Sigma File Manager without registration.
3. Ad-freeSigma File Manager doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. Works OfflineSigma File Manager can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
5. No TrackingSigma File Manager will not track you or use your personal data.
6. Support for ThemesYou can use themes and templates to change the look and feel of Sigma File Manager.
7. File TaggingSigma File Manager can organize and highlight your files with tags and labels.
8. Support for scriptingSigma File Manager supports scripts and macros to automate or customize tasks.
9. Privacy focusedSigma File Manager is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
Integrated File Sharing
Group tabs
Built-in archiver
Budgie
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Desktop Environment
Window Manager
Linux
24 Budgie alternatives
The Budgie Desktop is a feature-rich, modern desktop designed to keep out the way of the user. It consists of a number of components to provide a more complete desktop experience.
Budgie has no features, suggest some!
Finder
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
File Manager
Mac
133 Finder alternatives
The Finder is the first thing that you see when your Mac finishes starting up. It opens automatically and stays open as you use other apps. It includes the Finder menu bar at the top of the screen and the desktop below that.
- - Finder is the most popular Mac alternative to Cairo Shell.
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Finder Features
WebDAV Support
Miller columns
Support for FTP
VirtuaWin
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Windows
PortableApps.com
26 VirtuaWin alternatives
VirtuaWin is a virtual desktop manager for the Windows operating system (Win9x/ME/NT/Win2K/XP/Win2003/Vista/Win7/Win10). A virtual desktop manager lets you organize applications over several virtual desktops (also called ‘workspaces’).
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VirtuaWin Features
1. PortableVirtuaWin can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Enlightenment
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Desktop Environment
Window Manager
Mac
Linux
BSD
24 Enlightenment alternatives
Enlightenment is not just a window manager for Linux/X11 and others, but also a whole suite of libraries to help you create beautiful user interfaces with much less work than doing it the old fashioned way and fighting with traditional toolkits, not to mention a traditional...
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Enlightenment Features
1. LightweightEnlightenment consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
BB4Win
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Windows
17 BB4Win alternatives
BB4Win (Blackbox for Windows) is an alternative shell for Microsoft Windows. The program aims to emulate the look and feel of a Linux based desktop. The BB4Win project was discontinued in 2005 but various branches have been built from the source.
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BB4Win Features
1. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsBB4Win can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
Linux-based
Discontinued
Latest release 2009, see http://bb4win.sourceforge.net/
ModernFlyouts
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Volume Control Tool
Windows
5 ModernFlyouts alternatives
This application aims to provide a Fluent Design System based replacement for the old, built-in, Metro Design based Audio/Airplane mode/Brightness flyouts present in Windows (which haven't been updated since Windows 8 LOL) which are shown while pressing the media or volume...
ModernFlyouts has no features, suggest some!