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COSMIC vs Budgie: catalog facts
COSMIC	Budgie
Best for: Use System76's desktop environment with configurable workspaces and window tiling	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
Combines desktop panels with workspace controls Supports tiling and floating workflows	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
Requires a distribution and graphics stack that support the current COSMIC release.	Linux only Usually installed through a distribution rather than as a standalone app
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License not stated	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 COSMIC github.com/pop-os/cosmic-epoch 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.