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

Unity Desktop Environment is described as 'Unity is a shell interface for the Gnome desktop environment developed by Canonical Ltd for its Ubuntu operating system. It is designed to make more efficient use of space given the limited screen size of netbooks' and is a popular desktop environment in the os & utilities category. There are more than 25 alternatives to Unity Desktop Environment for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Windows, BSD, Linux Mobile and Mac apps. The best Unity Desktop Environment alternative is KDE Plasma, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Unity Desktop Environment are GNOME, Xfce, Cinnamon and MATE.

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Unity Desktop Environment alternatives are mainly Application Launchers but may also be Desktop Environments or Window Managers.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Unity Desktop Environment.
Unity Desktop Environment iconUnity Desktop Environment
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Unity is a shell interface for the Gnome desktop environment developed by Canonical Ltd for its Ubuntu operating system. It is designed to make more efficient use of space given the limited screen size of netbooks.

More about Unity Desktop Environment
More about Unity Desktop Environment
Unity Desktop Environment alternatives page was last updated May 6, 2022
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  1. KDE Plasma icon
    KDE Plasma icon

    KDE Plasma

     423 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 iconUnity Desktop Environment Icon

    KDE Plasma VS Unity Desktop Environment

    Is KDE Plasma a good alternative to Unity Desktop Environment?
     

    • KDE Plasma is the most popular Linux alternative to Unity Desktop Environment.

    • KDE Plasma is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Unity Desktop Environment.

    • KDE Plasma is Free and Open SourceUnity Desktop Environment is also Free and Open Source
    • KDE Plasma is Customizable, Lightweight and Privacy focusedUnity Desktop Environment is not according to our users
  2. GNOME icon
    GNOME icon

    GNOME

     478 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 iconUnity Desktop Environment Icon

    GNOME VS Unity Desktop Environment

    Is GNOME a good alternative to Unity Desktop Environment?
     
  4. Xfce icon
    Xfce icon

    Xfce

     371 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 iconUnity Desktop Environment Icon

    Xfce VS Unity Desktop Environment

    Is Xfce a good alternative to Unity Desktop Environment?
     
  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 iconUnity Desktop Environment Icon

    Cinnamon VS Unity Desktop Environment

    Is Cinnamon a good alternative to Unity Desktop Environment?
     
  6. 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 iconUnity Desktop Environment Icon

    MATE VS Unity Desktop Environment

    Is MATE a good alternative to Unity Desktop Environment?
     
  7. 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 iconUnity Desktop Environment Icon

    LXDE VS Unity Desktop Environment

    Is LXDE a good alternative to Unity Desktop Environment?
     
  9. 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 iconUnity Desktop Environment Icon

    LXQt VS Unity Desktop Environment

    Is LXQt a good alternative to Unity Desktop Environment?
     
  10. 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 iconUnity Desktop Environment Icon

    Budgie VS Unity Desktop Environment

    Is Budgie a good alternative to Unity Desktop Environment?
     
  11. 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 iconUnity Desktop Environment Icon

    Cairo Shell VS Unity Desktop Environment

    Is Cairo Shell a good alternative to Unity Desktop Environment?
     

    • Cairo Shell is the most popular Windows alternative to Unity Desktop Environment.

    • Cairo Shell is Free and Open SourceUnity Desktop Environment is also Free and Open Source
  12. ObjectDock icon
    ObjectDock icon

    ObjectDock

     62 likes
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    ObjectDock is an animated dock for Windows that enables you to quickly access and launch your favorite applications, files and shortcuts.

    56 ObjectDock alternatives
    ObjectDock screenshot 1

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows

    ObjectDock Features

    1.  Launcher
    2.  Dock
    ObjectDock screenshot 1
    ObjectDock screenshot 2
    +1
    ObjectDock screenshot 3
    ObjectDock iconUnity Desktop Environment Icon

    ObjectDock VS Unity Desktop Environment

    Is ObjectDock a good alternative to Unity Desktop Environment?
     

    • ObjectDock is the most popular commercial alternative to Unity Desktop Environment.

    • ObjectDock is Paid and ProprietaryUnity Desktop Environment is 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 iconUnity Desktop Environment Icon

    Enlightenment VS Unity Desktop Environment

    Is Enlightenment a good alternative to Unity Desktop Environment?
     

    • Enlightenment is the most popular Mac alternative to Unity Desktop Environment.

    • Enlightenment is Free and Open SourceUnity Desktop Environment is also Free and Open Source
    • Enlightenment is LightweightUnity Desktop Environment is not according to our users
  14. Docky icon
    Docky icon

    Docky

     129 likes
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    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.

    52 Docky alternatives
    Banshee Application Controls

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux

    Docky Features

    1.  Launcher
    2.  Dock
    3.  Window docking
    Docky screenshot 1
    Docky screenshot 2
    +1
    Docky screenshot 3
    Discontinued

    Last commit and last available version from 2015-09-02

    Docky iconUnity Desktop Environment Icon

    Docky VS Unity Desktop Environment

    Is Docky a good alternative to Unity Desktop Environment?
     
12 of 37 Unity Desktop Environment alternatives