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Cinnamon vs GNOME: catalog facts
Cinnamon	GNOME
Best for: Use a Linux desktop with a traditional application menu, panel and system tray	Best for: Use a Linux desktop organized around an activities overview and workspaces
Free Free and open source. Hosting, hardware and any external services are separate.	Free Free and open source. Hosting, hardware and any external services are separate.
Linux	Linux
Provides familiar desktop navigation Supports applets, desklets and extensions	Integrates application launching and workspace navigation Provides a consistent suite of desktop settings
Third-party desktop extensions may need updates for new Cinnamon releases.	Shell extensions must match the installed GNOME version.
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License: GPL-2.0	License not stated
Not stated if an account is needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Not stated if it works offline	Not stated if it works offline
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 GNOME gnome.org Catalog checked September 22, 2026

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