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

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