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MATE vs IceWM: catalog facts
MATE	IceWM
Best for: Linux users who prefer a classic GNOME 2 style desktop	Best for: Older or low-powered machines that need a simple desktop with a taskbar
Free Free to use; the project accepts donations.	Free Free and open source.
Linux	Linux
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	Low resource use Built-in taskbar, tray and menu All 4 strengths for IceWM Low resource use Built-in taskbar, tray and menu Large collection of themes Fully usable from the keyboard
Full releases arrive every few years Linux and Unix-like systems only	X11 only Dated look without a theme
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 MATE mate-desktop.org Catalog checked September 23, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Sources for IceWM ice-wm.org Catalog checked September 23, 2026

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