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Budgie vs Cinnamon: catalog facts
Budgie	Cinnamon
Best for: Linux users who want a simple, tidy desktop environment	Best for: Use a Linux desktop with a traditional application menu, panel and system tray
Free Free and open source.	Free Free and open source. Hosting, hardware and any external services are separate.
Linux	Linux
Complete desktop with its own panel and application menu Designed to stay out of the way while remaining customisable All 3 strengths for Budgie Complete desktop with its own panel and application menu Designed to stay out of the way while remaining customisable Active development with regular releases and progress posts	Provides familiar desktop navigation Supports applets, desklets and extensions
Linux only Usually installed through a distribution rather than as a standalone app	Third-party desktop extensions may need updates for new Cinnamon releases.
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License not stated	License: GPL-2.0
No account needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Offline features available	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Sources for Budgie buddiesofbudgie.org Catalog checked September 23, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Sources for Cinnamon github.com/linuxmint/cinnamon Catalog checked September 22, 2026

“Not stated” means we have not confirmed it. Features can vary by device and plan.