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LXQt vs Budgie: catalog facts
LXQt	Budgie
Best for: Older or low-powered Linux machines that need a full but light desktop	Best for: Linux users who want a simple, tidy desktop environment
Free Free and open source community project.	Free Free and open source.
Linux	Linux
Low resource use compared with larger desktops Modular components that can be mixed with other software All 4 strengths for LXQt Low resource use compared with larger desktops Modular components that can be mixed with other software Wayland session usable on several compositors Regular releases and point updates	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
Fewer integrated features than KDE Plasma or GNOME Wayland support depends on the chosen compositor	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
No account needed	No account needed
Offline features available	Offline features available
Official website Full listing and sources Sources for LXQt lxqt-project.org Catalog checked September 24, 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.