GNUstep AlternativesDesktop Environments and other similar apps like GNUstep

GNUstep is described as ''s core framework provides open source version of the Cocoa's (formerly known as OpenStep from NeXT) APIs and tools for as many platforms as possible' and is a desktop environment in the development category. There are more than 25 alternatives to GNUstep for a variety of platforms, including Linux, BSD, Windows, Mac and Chrome OS apps. The best GNUstep alternative is KDE Plasma, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like GNUstep are GNOME, Xfce, Cinnamon and COSMIC.

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GNUstep alternatives are mainly Desktop Environments but may also be Window Managers or Mobile OSs.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of GNUstep.
GNUstep iconGNUstep
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GNUstep's core framework provides open source version of the Cocoa's (formerly known as OpenStep from NeXT) APIs and tools for as many platforms as possible.

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GNUstep alternatives page was last updated Jul 18, 2023
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  1. KDE Plasma icon
    KDE Plasma icon

    KDE Plasma

     427 likes
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    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.

    26 KDE Plasma alternatives
    A typical Plasma desktop looks like this

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    • KDE Plasma
    • postmarketOS
    KDE Plasma 5.16
    Panel Settings
    +1
    Plasma Widgets

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Desktop Environment
    2.  Themes
    3.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    4.  Transparency
    5.  Blurry transparency
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  Ad-free
    9.  Support for Multiple Monitors
    10.  Full-Text Search
    11.  No registration required
    12.  Support for scripting
    KDE Plasma iconGNUstep Icon

    KDE Plasma VS GNUstep

    Is KDE Plasma a good alternative to GNUstep?
     

    • KDE Plasma is the most popular Linux alternative to GNUstep.

    • KDE Plasma is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to GNUstep.

    • KDE Plasma is Free and Open SourceGNUstep is also Free and Open Source
    • KDE Plasma is Customizable, Lightweight and Privacy focusedGNUstep is not according to our users
  2. GNOME icon
    GNOME icon

    GNOME

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

    30 GNOME alternatives
    GNOME 40

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    GNOME 40 with a couple programs opened
    GNOME 40 Activities
    +9
    GNOME 40 Calendar and Notifications Menu

    Properties

    1.  Clean design
    2.  Optimal performance
    3.  Privacy focused
    4.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Desktop Environment
    2.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    3.  Dark Mode
    4.  Support for Multiple Monitors
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  No Tracking
    7.  No registration required
    8.  Rolling Release
    9.  Themes
    GNOME iconGNUstep Icon

    GNOME VS GNUstep

    Is GNOME a good alternative to GNUstep?
     
  4. Xfce icon
    Xfce icon

    Xfce

     372 likes
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    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.

    26 Xfce alternatives
    Xfce 4.14

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    Xfce screenshot 1
    Xfce screenshot 2

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Customizable
    3.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Desktop Environment
    2.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    3.  Modular System
    4.  Support for Multiple Monitors
    5.  Works Offline
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  No registration required
    8.  Dark Mode
    9.  No Tracking
    Xfce iconGNUstep Icon

    Xfce VS GNUstep

    Is Xfce a good alternative to GNUstep?
     
  5. Cinnamon icon
    Cinnamon icon

    Cinnamon

     192 likes
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    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.

    24 Cinnamon alternatives
    Cinnamon 4.2

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Dark Mode
    2.  High-dpi support
    3.  Support for Multiple Monitors
    4.  No Tracking
    5.  Ad-free
    Cinnamon iconGNUstep Icon

    Cinnamon VS GNUstep

    Is Cinnamon a good alternative to GNUstep?
     
  6. COSMIC icon
    COSMIC icon

    COSMIC

     15 likes
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    COSMIC is the name for the main shell components in Pop_Shell.

    33 COSMIC alternatives
    COSMIC screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    COSMIC screenshot 1
    COSMIC screenshot 2
    +5
    COSMIC screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  Dark Mode
    3.  Support for Multiple Monitors
    4.  Dock
    5.  No registration required
    6.  No Tracking
    COSMIC iconGNUstep Icon

    COSMIC VS GNUstep

    Is COSMIC a good alternative to GNUstep?
     
  7. MATE icon
    MATE icon

    MATE

     141 likes
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    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.

    23 MATE alternatives
    MATE screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    • FreeBSD
    • OpenIndiana
    • GhostBSD
    MATE screenshot 1
    MATE screenshot 2
    +1
    MATE screenshot 3
    MATE iconGNUstep Icon

    MATE VS GNUstep

    Is MATE a good alternative to GNUstep?
     
  9. LXDE icon
    LXDE icon

    LXDE

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

    27 LXDE alternatives
    Screenshot of the LXDE desktop. It's simple, lightweight, fast, modern, internationalized, and standard-compliant.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  X server
    LXPanel Provides the common features of a desktop panel. The panel can generate menu for installed applications automatically from *.desktop files.
    PCManFM - lightweight and feature-rich file manager with tabs and volume-management support
    +1
    LXDE on FreeBSD
    LXDE iconGNUstep Icon

    LXDE VS GNUstep

    Is LXDE a good alternative to GNUstep?
     
  10. LXQt icon
    LXQt icon

    LXQt

     49 likes
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    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 .

    26 LXQt alternatives
    LXQt screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    LXQt screenshot 1
    LXQt screenshot 2

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Desktop Environment
    2.  QT Based
    3.  Ad-free
    4.  No registration required
    5.  No Tracking
    6.  Support for Multiple Monitors
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  X server
    LXQt iconGNUstep Icon

    LXQt VS GNUstep

    Is LXQt a good alternative to GNUstep?
     
  11. Budgie icon
    Budgie icon

    Budgie

     44 likes
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    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.

    25 Budgie alternatives
    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.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    The Budgie Run Dialog provides the means to quickly find an application in a popup window. This window by default is activated with the ALT+F2 keyboard shortcut, providing keyboard driven launcher facilities.
    The main Budgie menu provides a quick and easy to use menu, suitable for both mouse and keyboard driven users.
    +1
    The Raven side panel provides an all-in-one center for accessing your calendar, controlling sound output and input, media playback and more. Raven also enables you to access missed notifications.

    Properties

    1.  Support for Themes
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  No registration required
    2.  Works Offline
    3.  No Tracking
    4.  Dark Mode
    5.  Support for Multiple Monitors
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  Support for Keyboard Shortcuts
    Budgie iconGNUstep Icon

    Budgie VS GNUstep

    Is Budgie a good alternative to GNUstep?
     
  12. Cairo Shell icon
    Cairo Shell icon

    Cairo Shell

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

    42 Cairo Shell alternatives
    Cairo Shell screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Cairo Shell screenshot 1
    Cairo Shell screenshot 2
    +2
    Cairo Shell screenshot 3
    Cairo Shell iconGNUstep Icon

    Cairo Shell VS GNUstep

    Is Cairo Shell a good alternative to GNUstep?
     

    • Cairo Shell is the most popular Windows alternative to GNUstep.

    • Cairo Shell is Free and Open SourceGNUstep is also Free and Open Source
  13. Enlightenment icon
    Enlightenment icon

    Enlightenment

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

    25 Enlightenment alternatives
    Enlightenment screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • BSD

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Wayland Support
    2.  X server
    Enlightenment screenshot 1
    Enlightenment screenshot 2
    +3
    Enlightenment screenshot 3
    Enlightenment iconGNUstep Icon

    Enlightenment VS GNUstep

    Is Enlightenment a good alternative to GNUstep?
     

    • Enlightenment is the most popular Mac alternative to GNUstep.

    • Enlightenment is Free and Open SourceGNUstep is also Free and Open Source
    • Enlightenment is LightweightGNUstep is not according to our users
  14. Kera Desktop icon
    Kera Desktop icon

    Kera Desktop

     6 likes
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    An easy, pleasant, speedy, and exciting way to use your favorite OS.

    34 Kera Desktop alternatives
    Kera Desktop screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Chrome OS
    Kera Desktop screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  No Tracking
    2.  Portable
    3.  Separated workspaces
    4.  Workspaces
    Kera Desktop iconGNUstep Icon

    Kera Desktop VS GNUstep

    Is Kera Desktop a good alternative to GNUstep?
     
12 of 25 GNUstep alternatives