CDE (Common Desktop Environment) AlternativesDesktop Environments and other similar apps like CDE (Common Desktop Environment)

CDE (Common Desktop Environment) is described as 'The Common Desktop Environment was created by a collaboration of Sun, HP, IBM, DEC, SCO, Fujitsu and Hitachi. Used on a selection of commercial UNIXs, it is now available as open-source software for the first time' and is a desktop environment in the os & utilities category. There are more than 25 alternatives to CDE (Common Desktop Environment) for a variety of platforms, including Linux, BSD, Windows, Mac and Linux Mobile apps. The best CDE (Common Desktop Environment) alternative is KDE Plasma, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like CDE (Common Desktop Environment) are GNOME, Xfce, Cinnamon and Noctalia.

More about CDE (Common Desktop Environment)
Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
CDE (Common Desktop Environment) alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. KDE Plasma icon

    KDE Plasma

     468 likes

    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.

    30 KDE Plasma alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    • KDE Plasma
    • postmarketOS
    A typical Plasma desktop looks like this
     

    • KDE Plasma is the most popular Linux alternative to CDE (Common Desktop Environment).

    • KDE Plasma is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to CDE (Common Desktop Environment).

    • KDE Plasma is Free and Open SourceCDE (Common Desktop Environment) is also Free and Open Source
    • KDE Plasma is Customizable, Lightweight and Privacy focusedCDE (Common Desktop Environment) is not according to our users
  2. GNOME icon

    GNOME

     502 likes

    An easy and elegant way to use your computer, GNOME is designed to help you have the best possible computing experience.

    31 GNOME alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    GNOME 40
     
  4. Xfce icon

    Xfce

     378 likes

    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.

    29 Xfce alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    Xfce 4.14
     
  5. Cinnamon icon

    Cinnamon

     197 likes

    Cinnamon is a Linux desktop which provides advanced innovative features and a traditional user experience. The desktop layout is similar to GNOME 2. The underlying technology is forked from GNOME Shell.

    26 Cinnamon alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    Cinnamon 4.2
     
  6. Noctalia icon

    Noctalia

     12 likes

    Noctalia is a beautiful, minimal desktop shell for Wayland built with Quickshell. It’s designed with a “quiet by design” philosophy, providing a complete desktop experience that stays out of your way.

    38 Noctalia alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Noctalia screenshot 1
     
  7. MATE icon

    MATE

     144 likes

    Many users of GNOME 2 dislike GNOME 3. MATE is a fork of the good old GNOME 2. It provides an intuitive and attractive desktop environment using traditional metaphors for Linux and other Unix-like operating systems.

    24 MATE alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    • FreeBSD
    • OpenIndiana
    • GhostBSD
    MATE screenshot 1
     
  9. LXQt icon

    LXQt

     54 likes

    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 .

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    LXQt screenshot 1
     
  11. LXDE icon

    LXDE

     122 likes

    The "Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment" is an extremely fast-performing and energy-saving desktop environment.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    Screenshot of the LXDE desktop. It's simple, lightweight, fast, modern, internationalized, and standard-compliant.
     
  12. Budgie icon

    Budgie

     46 likes

    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.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    A screenshot of the Budgie desktop running on Solus Linux. The Budgie settings manager is on the right, made specifically to customize the desktop. The rest of the settings are handled by the Gnome settings manager.
     
  13. Cairo Shell icon

    Cairo Shell

     52 likes

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

    38 Cairo Shell alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Cairo Shell screenshot 1
     

    • Cairo Shell is the most popular Windows alternative to CDE (Common Desktop Environment).

    • Cairo Shell is Free and Open SourceCDE (Common Desktop Environment) is also Free and Open Source
    • Cairo Shell is CustomizableCDE (Common Desktop Environment) is not according to our users
  14. Enlightenment icon

    Enlightenment

     52 likes

    Enlightenment is a Window Manager, Compositor and Minimal Desktop for Linux (the primary platform), BSD and any other compatible UNIX system.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Enlightenment screenshot 1
     

    • Enlightenment is the most popular Mac alternative to CDE (Common Desktop Environment).

    • Enlightenment is Free and Open SourceCDE (Common Desktop Environment) is also Free and Open Source
    • Enlightenment is LightweightCDE (Common Desktop Environment) is not according to our users
12 of 29 CDE (Common Desktop Environment) alternatives