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COSMIC vs MATE: catalog facts
COSMIC	MATE
Best for: Use System76's desktop environment with configurable workspaces and window tiling	Best for: Linux users who prefer a classic GNOME 2 style desktop
Free Free and open source. Hosting, hardware and any external services are separate.	Free Free to use; the project accepts donations.
Linux	Linux
Combines desktop panels with workspace controls Supports tiling and floating workflows	Traditional desktop layout carried over from GNOME 2 Packaged in the official repositories of many distributions All 3 strengths for MATE Traditional desktop layout carried over from GNOME 2 Packaged in the official repositories of many distributions Interface translated into many languages
Requires a distribution and graphics stack that support the current COSMIC release.	Full releases arrive every few years Linux and Unix-like systems only
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 MATE mate-desktop.org Catalog checked September 23, 2026

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