MATE
A traditional desktop environment for Linux and other Unix-like systems that continues the GNOME 2 design.
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About MATE
MATE is a full desktop environment that continues the GNOME 2 design, with panels, menus and a conventional layout. The project is still being developed, adding support for newer technologies while keeping the familiar desktop.
It is in the official repositories of many distributions, including Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch Linux, openSUSE, Linux Mint and Void Linux, so it is usually installed through the package manager. Version 1.28 was released in February 2024. It suits people who want a classic desktop rather than a modern redesigned shell.
Strengths
- Traditional desktop layout carried over from GNOME 2
- Packaged in the official repositories of many distributions
- Interface translated into many languages
Limitations
- Full releases arrive every few years
- Linux and Unix-like systems only
Details
- Pricing
- FreeFree to use; the project accepts donations.
- License
- Open source, license not stated
- Developer
- The MATE contributors
- Platforms
- Linux
- How it runs
- Downloadable app
- Account
- Not required
- Works offline
- Yes
- Best suited for
- Linux users who prefer a classic GNOME 2 style desktop
- Categories
- System utilities, Window tools
- Last verified
- Added
- Provenance
- Facts checked against the developer's own pages and store listings, 1 sources on file.
Alternatives to MATE
Compare allSoftware that can replace MATE for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.
Xfce
Use a modular desktop environment built around traditional panels and windows.
Xfce is a modular desktop with traditional panels and a settings manager, and its available version and components depend on your distribution.
Cinnamon
Use a Linux desktop with a traditional application menu, panel and system tray.
Cinnamon keeps a traditional application menu, panel and system tray, adding applets, desklets and extensions that may need updates for new releases.
LXQt
A lightweight, modular Qt-based desktop environment for Linux and BSD with X11 and Wayland sessions.
LXQt is a lightweight Qt-based desktop with X11 and Wayland sessions and modular components, suited to older or low-powered machines.
KDE Plasma
Use a full Linux desktop with configurable panels, widgets and window behavior.
KDE Plasma is a full desktop with extensive appearance settings, configurable panels and widgets, integrated with KDE applications and system settings.
GNOME
Use a Linux desktop organized around an activities overview and workspaces.
GNOME replaces MATE's classic panel layout with an activities overview and workspaces, and its shell extensions must match the installed version.
Budgie
A free and open source Linux desktop environment with its own panel, application menu and window management.
Budgie is a tidy desktop environment with its own panel and application menu, under active development with regular releases, but Linux only.
COSMIC
Use System76's desktop environment with configurable workspaces and window tiling.
COSMIC is System76's desktop with configurable workspaces and tiling as well as floating workflows, needing a distribution that supports its current release.
Enlightenment
A window manager, compositor and minimal desktop for Linux, BSD and other UNIX systems.
Enlightenment is a distinctive lightweight desktop shell, compositor and window manager built on EFL, with experimental Wayland support and source-only official releases.
MATE as an alternative
Listings that name MATE as an alternative.
IceWM
A lightweight X11 window manager with a taskbar, workspaces and a familiar Windows-like layout.
MATE is a complete traditional desktop environment continuing the GNOME 2 design, packaged in many distributions, with full releases arriving every few years.
Similar software
Related functionality, not necessarily a direct replacement.
xfce4-panel
Configurable panel for the Xfce desktop with plugins and applets.
Tint2
Lightweight panel and taskbar for Linux and BSD window managers.
BunsenLabs Linux
A Debian-based distribution with a preconfigured, lightweight Openbox desktop, continuing CrunchBang Linux.
Openbox
Manage X11 windows with a configurable stacking window manager.
Dash to Panel
Combine GNOME application shortcuts and the system tray in one panel.
