What Are GNOME, KDE and Other Linux Desktop Environments
Understand what a desktop environment is on Linux and how the most popular ones differ.
The desktop environment is what you see and interact with — the same Linux distribution can look completely different depending on which one you choose.
| Environment | Style | Resource usage |
|---|---|---|
| GNOME | Modern, minimalist | Medium-high |
| KDE Plasma | Highly customisable, similar to Windows | Medium |
| XFCE | Traditional, lightweight | Low |
| Cinnamon | Familiar for people coming from Windows | Medium |
Which one to choose?
GNOME is the most visually polished and the one Ubuntu uses by default. KDE Plasma offers the highest level of customisation, for those who want to tweak every detail. XFCE makes sense on more limited hardware. Cinnamon (Linux Mint's) is especially comfortable if you are coming from Windows, thanks to its similar layout.
You can install more than one desktop environment on the same distribution and choose which to use at each login — you are not permanently tied to just one, though for beginners it is simpler to stick with the one that comes installed by default.
Frequently asked questions
Does the desktop environment affect which software I can install?
No, it is independent — you can install any program compatible with your distribution regardless of which desktop environment you are using.
Can I change desktop environments after installing Linux?
Yes, you can install an additional environment and choose which one to use at each login, with no need to reinstall the whole system.