Unity Desktop Environment AlternativesDesktop Environments and other similar apps like Unity Desktop Environment

Unity Desktop Environment has been discontinued. Similar apps include KDE Plasma, which is free and open source. Other options are GNOME, Xfce, Cinnamon and LXQt. There's no shortage of Desktop Environments like Unity Desktop Environment, with more than 25 alternatives for Linux, Windows and Mac.

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Alternatives
Unity Desktop Environment alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. KDE Plasma icon
     524 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.

    31 KDE Plasma alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2009

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    • KDE Plasma
    • postmarketOS
    • openSUSE
    • Arch Linux
    • Fedora
    • FreeBSD
    • SteamOS
    • Wayland
    Good alternative?
     
  2. GNOME icon
     527 likes

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

    32 GNOME alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2009

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    • US flagUnited States
    GNOME 40
    Good alternative?
     
  3. Xfce icon
     391 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.

    31 Xfce alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2010

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    Good alternative?
     
  4. Cinnamon icon
     208 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.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2012

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    Good alternative?
     
  5. LXQt icon
     61 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 type

    Since

    • Since 2014

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    Good alternative?
     
  6. MATE icon
     147 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

    Since

    • Since 2012

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    • FreeBSD
    • OpenIndiana
    • GhostBSD
    Good alternative?
     
  7. LXDE icon
     125 likes

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

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2010

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    Good alternative?
     
  8. Budgie icon
     48 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 type

    Since

    • Since 2016

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
  9. Enlightenment icon
     56 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 type

    Since

    • Since 2010

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Good alternative?
     
  10. ObjectDock icon
     70 likes

    Animated Windows dock for fast access to apps, shortcuts and files, featuring auto-hide, drag and drop launching, fully customizable color, size and position, support for multiple docks, shortcut management, enhanced desktop organization and visual effects.

    61 ObjectDock alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2009

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Good alternative?
     
  11. Cairo Shell icon
     54 likes

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

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2010

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Good alternative?
     
  12. Docky icon
     131 likes

    Docky is a full fledged dock application that makes opening common applications and managing windows easier and quicker. Docky is fully integrated into the GNOME Desktop and features a no non-sense approach to configuration and usage. It just works.

    59 Docky alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Since

    • Since 2010

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Good alternative?
     
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