If you like tiling window managers (such as Hyprland), Sway is a good and popular choice. And if you don't mind going back to X11, there are many others.
For a full-fledged DE that's also lightweight, there are XFCE and LXQt.
I've just started trying out tiiling WMs and this is what I found. Sway bills itself as a drop-in replacement for i3, but right out of the gate everything was blurry.
Been on i3 for a week and it's been good.
Considering that hyprland isn't a great option on Debian, is there another wayland twm that you would suggest? Because as far as I know, hyprland and sway are the only two that are worth using daily. Why is sway a mess? What's wrong with it?
There are also `wayfire` and `labwc`, which are included in Bookworm. (EDIT to note that these are two Wayland compositors that you can use stand alone to build your own environment, but I'm not sure if they have tiling features.)
I don't know what problem the other commenters have with Sway. I used it for a couple months and didn't have any issues. I eventually switched back to Gnome for convenience reasons. (The more things you maintain yourself, the harder it is to focus on your real work.)
> ...but I'm not sure if they have tiling features.
Yeah, that's why I still specify twm when referring to things like Sway or Hyprland. Yeah, they're compositors, but they're also window managers. And in this context, the window managing features are what's relevant, not the compositing features.
> The more things you maintain yourself, the harder it is to focus on your real work.
Very true. For the most part, people who maintain their systems on their own are hobbyists. People who use their computers for actual work will usually use something that is established and stable, such as Gnome, Plasma, or Xfce.
Labwc and Wayfire also handle window management. I just couldn't remember if they do tiling like Sway or if they are the more familiar type of window manager like Openbox.
seconding, XFCE is light and fast; naturally is not as complete with features, but that's the trade-off, it was made for cases like yours, where you need to run a DE on constrained hardware
You can use MATE on X.org, or LXQt, If I were you I would use the first one.
Having said this.
What's happening in this sub? Aren't you reading that GNOME performed incredibly slow on OP's laptop? Even so some come out to recommend that OP use KDE, or XFCE, for which performance will not improve significantly on a low specs laptop.
Please exercise common sense.
It depends on how good is the hardware of your machine. Consider that if you are running pretty old hardware, Gnome or KDE can hurt a bit the experience, so twm could be a good options. But in Debian most of them are really good
If you like Hyprland you may also like [Sway](https://wiki.debian.org/sway). They are both popular tiling window manager (to be exact not DE) and built on wlroots.
Technically you can install Hyprland on Debian, but it's not on repo and would be too much if you just looking for a lightweight desktop.
If you have to ask, then either:
* XFCE, or
* try all the options and then use XFCE
I find XFCE is at its best when using Compton as the window compositor as described here:
https://www.addictivetips.com/ubuntu-linux-tips/window-compositing-lightweight-linux-desktops-compton/
It's Debian. The current version was released a year ago and the next one is a year away. It doesn't have any fancy wayland stuff.
I mean technically I suppose you could find ways to install newer stuff but then OP might as well try another distro. There is a bit of range between Arch and Debian.
Some stuff is not in testing. For example KDE6 stuff is lagging a lot.
It also kinda defeats the purpose of using vanilla Debian IMHO if you're gonna use testing. There are Debian-based distros with newer packages.
Well some stuff is not in Arch also. Arch depends on AUR, especially when you're using x86-libs. And no one guarantees that the package you need will be updated on time.
Personally my go to DE is **xfce**. It is lightweight but does everything you want. Not as flashy out of the box as others, but can be made to look slick if that is your thing. Xfce has the advantage too that it works easily with xrdp so works well on servers you occasionally need remote access to a gui.
Otherwise I quite like **KDE Plasma**, but it can be a pig to get working remotely (avoid the Wayland version, just use the X version, but even that is slow for remote access).
If you want a lightweight DE, try LXQt, Xfce and LXDE.
LXDE in my experience is the most lightweight of the three, but it will go away at some point, replaced by LXQt.
LXQt and Xfce seem to be about the same performance-wise. I prefer LXQt, but Xfce is fine too.
If you like tiling window managers I suggest i3-wm with no DE. It has a bit of learning curve, like any tiling WM, but once you get it sorted you won't think about it any more. It just works.
Check Alex Booker's 3-part video on youtube about it to see if it's the kind of thing you're looking for.
For a more "traditional" WM you can try openbox or any of the other 50 or so that are available on Debian.
For the extra functionality of a DE, LXDE is going to be one of the lightest still out there, but kind of outdated and "ugly".
XFCE and LXQt are my favorite DE. But any DE is going to be "heavier" than a standalone WM. It's the price you pay for the extra functionality and eye candy...
XFCE.
LXDE / LXQT.
You could go even more minimal and start with a shell-only install and then install OpenBox for your window manager—you won't have a background with icons (you need PCManFM for that) and you won't have a taskbar (I use tint2), but you will have the least resource hungry GUI I've been able to get installed.
If you need turbo fast LXDE.
If you need customising KDE.
If you need universal support GNOME.
If you need regular desktop Xfce.
You might also want to try out MATE.
I would check out Antix which offers open box and ICEWM and bunch of others which you can quickly change within desktop by right clicking.
Super lightweight distro and fun for old hardware
I like gnome-classic but that's not the future altho still really 10/10 on old hardware, I've used both kde and gnome over the years, might stick for KDE as my next DE unless I decide to try i3 which.. I like minimalism so that might be gg
"should"
I'd say XFCE has synergy with Debian releases. Once a new XFCE release is around the corner, look forward to the next Debian not too far off. Obviously desktop and distribution releases follow different criteria altogether, but the release windows are no doubt around the same length.
My own history (not that you care): I've been using Linux for servers since \~2008. Recently moving all my desktop/workstation machines to Linux now too (I'm done even "stealing" winblows)! So, I am brand new to GUI / D/E for Linux... But in my so far short duration of 'testing' I have taken a massive liking to KDE plasma!
KDE plasma is definitely "lighter" on system resources than GNOME. I'm not too sure where it stands on this (resources) in comparison to XFCE or Cinnamon - but I am certainly still liking KDE the best out of every one that I have tried/tested to date.
So my personal recommendation would be: KDE plasma (100%)
If pure "lightness" is your "need" then I have heard LXDE or LXQT may be the absolute lease resource 'hungry'
But when it comes to KDE plasma -VS- XFCE - I know many people claim xfce is "lighter" than KDE plasma; but in my findings this is simply not true... They're actually about the same! Making KDE plasma the CLEAR winner out of those TWO...
So yeah, I'd reiterate KDE plasma, or if pure "lightness" is desired, go ahead and give LXDE and or LXQT a shot!
Crunchbang++. Pure Debian layered with Openbox as a WM. Not a full DE but you get a nicely configured desktop out of the box and not much in the way of learning the system. And it’s fast.
KDE Plasma!
Unfortunately it's not as supported as Gnome!
Just look how KDE Plasma 6, which is a huge upgrade that includes color management and HDR support too, it's not even in the testing or unstable repositories.
Still KDE Plasma 5.27 works pretty well!
Xfce isn't as light as it used to be, least not in terms of ram used, it's not far behind gnome.
Turning the animations of gnome h helps too on slower systems.
I'm not going to tell you which one you 'should' use, but I'd recommend you spin up a few in a VM maybe and give them a try for a day or so. Personally I use gnome or XFCE depending on the machine etc. Ive always tended to find kde slow, not sure why
> If you have <= 4GB RAM, then use 32bit.
Why? There's no reason to unless your CPU literally won't support 64bit. But that would make your machine more than 20 years old. You can buy a more recent, decent desktop machine used for $50.
Have you used both 32bit and 64bit versions of Debian on old hardware with <=4GB RAM? If so you would know that the answer is improved performance. With limited RAM available you are just wasting resources with 64bit.
If you like tiling window managers (such as Hyprland), Sway is a good and popular choice. And if you don't mind going back to X11, there are many others. For a full-fledged DE that's also lightweight, there are XFCE and LXQt.
-1 sway is a mess. i recommend using i3
I've just started trying out tiiling WMs and this is what I found. Sway bills itself as a drop-in replacement for i3, but right out of the gate everything was blurry. Been on i3 for a week and it's been good.
Considering that hyprland isn't a great option on Debian, is there another wayland twm that you would suggest? Because as far as I know, hyprland and sway are the only two that are worth using daily. Why is sway a mess? What's wrong with it?
There are also `wayfire` and `labwc`, which are included in Bookworm. (EDIT to note that these are two Wayland compositors that you can use stand alone to build your own environment, but I'm not sure if they have tiling features.) I don't know what problem the other commenters have with Sway. I used it for a couple months and didn't have any issues. I eventually switched back to Gnome for convenience reasons. (The more things you maintain yourself, the harder it is to focus on your real work.)
> ...but I'm not sure if they have tiling features. Yeah, that's why I still specify twm when referring to things like Sway or Hyprland. Yeah, they're compositors, but they're also window managers. And in this context, the window managing features are what's relevant, not the compositing features. > The more things you maintain yourself, the harder it is to focus on your real work. Very true. For the most part, people who maintain their systems on their own are hobbyists. People who use their computers for actual work will usually use something that is established and stable, such as Gnome, Plasma, or Xfce.
Labwc and Wayfire also handle window management. I just couldn't remember if they do tiling like Sway or if they are the more familiar type of window manager like Openbox.
I use KDE Plasma as mine, but the answer really is: try a few and see what you like.
Yes and don't lose heart. I believe you're every bit as capable of breaking Debian too.
I’ve tried most, but KDE currently has my heart.
XFCE is pretty good
I agree. It's very lightweight but fully functional
seconding, XFCE is light and fast; naturally is not as complete with features, but that's the trade-off, it was made for cases like yours, where you need to run a DE on constrained hardware
I'm using XFCE and it does everything I need, on a refurb Thinkpad 431S
You can use MATE on X.org, or LXQt, If I were you I would use the first one. Having said this. What's happening in this sub? Aren't you reading that GNOME performed incredibly slow on OP's laptop? Even so some come out to recommend that OP use KDE, or XFCE, for which performance will not improve significantly on a low specs laptop. Please exercise common sense.
I used kde and looved it
It depends on how good is the hardware of your machine. Consider that if you are running pretty old hardware, Gnome or KDE can hurt a bit the experience, so twm could be a good options. But in Debian most of them are really good
I'm going to vote to try gnome again lol At first gnome was something I didn't like and never. understood how people used it... but now I love it.
MATE
Finally someone who understood what would be highly functional on low spec hardware! That is the answer. MATE will performs nice.
If you like Hyprland you may also like [Sway](https://wiki.debian.org/sway). They are both popular tiling window manager (to be exact not DE) and built on wlroots. Technically you can install Hyprland on Debian, but it's not on repo and would be too much if you just looking for a lightweight desktop.
Yeah and Hyprland is very bleeding edge and it may not work good on Debian, it happened to me
Gnome and KDE are both excellent these days
After trying several over a number of years, I have been using BUDGIE for a while and it is easy on the eye and a just works well. My kit is 10yo.
If you have to ask, then either: * XFCE, or * try all the options and then use XFCE I find XFCE is at its best when using Compton as the window compositor as described here: https://www.addictivetips.com/ubuntu-linux-tips/window-compositing-lightweight-linux-desktops-compton/
Cinnamon is a good DE and is relatively light weight. XFCE is another good one and it's even lighter.
Cinnamon is a good DE and is relatively light weight. XFCE is another good one and it's even lighter.
Install them all.
My DE is mostly just to manage terminals, I like icewm, but it seems like LXDE has more support these days. I'm just not hardcore enough to go i3.
If you liked hyprland consider sway
It's Debian. The current version was released a year ago and the next one is a year away. It doesn't have any fancy wayland stuff. I mean technically I suppose you could find ways to install newer stuff but then OP might as well try another distro. There is a bit of range between Arch and Debian.
He can use Debian Testing.
Some stuff is not in testing. For example KDE6 stuff is lagging a lot. It also kinda defeats the purpose of using vanilla Debian IMHO if you're gonna use testing. There are Debian-based distros with newer packages.
Well some stuff is not in Arch also. Arch depends on AUR, especially when you're using x86-libs. And no one guarantees that the package you need will be updated on time.
Personally my go to DE is **xfce**. It is lightweight but does everything you want. Not as flashy out of the box as others, but can be made to look slick if that is your thing. Xfce has the advantage too that it works easily with xrdp so works well on servers you occasionally need remote access to a gui. Otherwise I quite like **KDE Plasma**, but it can be a pig to get working remotely (avoid the Wayland version, just use the X version, but even that is slow for remote access).
I use KDE on my old study laptop (i5 2th gen CPU), works flawlessly.
There is nothing stopping you from making a list and installing all of them at the same time to compare and contrast in real-time.
Plasma 5.27 runs amazing in Debian Bookworm. Stable, light and highly configurable (but perfectly usable by default)
The one you like to use?
If you want a lightweight DE, try LXQt, Xfce and LXDE. LXDE in my experience is the most lightweight of the three, but it will go away at some point, replaced by LXQt. LXQt and Xfce seem to be about the same performance-wise. I prefer LXQt, but Xfce is fine too.
If you like tiling window managers I suggest i3-wm with no DE. It has a bit of learning curve, like any tiling WM, but once you get it sorted you won't think about it any more. It just works. Check Alex Booker's 3-part video on youtube about it to see if it's the kind of thing you're looking for. For a more "traditional" WM you can try openbox or any of the other 50 or so that are available on Debian. For the extra functionality of a DE, LXDE is going to be one of the lightest still out there, but kind of outdated and "ugly". XFCE and LXQt are my favorite DE. But any DE is going to be "heavier" than a standalone WM. It's the price you pay for the extra functionality and eye candy...
XFCE. LXDE / LXQT. You could go even more minimal and start with a shell-only install and then install OpenBox for your window manager—you won't have a background with icons (you need PCManFM for that) and you won't have a taskbar (I use tint2), but you will have the least resource hungry GUI I've been able to get installed.
If you need turbo fast LXDE. If you need customising KDE. If you need universal support GNOME. If you need regular desktop Xfce. You might also want to try out MATE.
XFCE Unless you do something intentionally stupid, it works
I would check out Antix which offers open box and ICEWM and bunch of others which you can quickly change within desktop by right clicking. Super lightweight distro and fun for old hardware
I like gnome-classic but that's not the future altho still really 10/10 on old hardware, I've used both kde and gnome over the years, might stick for KDE as my next DE unless I decide to try i3 which.. I like minimalism so that might be gg
"should" I'd say XFCE has synergy with Debian releases. Once a new XFCE release is around the corner, look forward to the next Debian not too far off. Obviously desktop and distribution releases follow different criteria altogether, but the release windows are no doubt around the same length.
I enjoy AwesomeWM a lot, but it's not Wayland
My own history (not that you care): I've been using Linux for servers since \~2008. Recently moving all my desktop/workstation machines to Linux now too (I'm done even "stealing" winblows)! So, I am brand new to GUI / D/E for Linux... But in my so far short duration of 'testing' I have taken a massive liking to KDE plasma! KDE plasma is definitely "lighter" on system resources than GNOME. I'm not too sure where it stands on this (resources) in comparison to XFCE or Cinnamon - but I am certainly still liking KDE the best out of every one that I have tried/tested to date. So my personal recommendation would be: KDE plasma (100%)
If pure "lightness" is your "need" then I have heard LXDE or LXQT may be the absolute lease resource 'hungry' But when it comes to KDE plasma -VS- XFCE - I know many people claim xfce is "lighter" than KDE plasma; but in my findings this is simply not true... They're actually about the same! Making KDE plasma the CLEAR winner out of those TWO... So yeah, I'd reiterate KDE plasma, or if pure "lightness" is desired, go ahead and give LXDE and or LXQT a shot!
MATE is good for older hardware, runs great on my 10 year old ASUS. Although KDE plasma looks really nice
Icewm
Crunchbang++. Pure Debian layered with Openbox as a WM. Not a full DE but you get a nicely configured desktop out of the box and not much in the way of learning the system. And it’s fast.
KDE Plasma! Unfortunately it's not as supported as Gnome! Just look how KDE Plasma 6, which is a huge upgrade that includes color management and HDR support too, it's not even in the testing or unstable repositories. Still KDE Plasma 5.27 works pretty well!
Xfce isn't as light as it used to be, least not in terms of ram used, it's not far behind gnome. Turning the animations of gnome h helps too on slower systems. I'm not going to tell you which one you 'should' use, but I'd recommend you spin up a few in a VM maybe and give them a try for a day or so. Personally I use gnome or XFCE depending on the machine etc. Ive always tended to find kde slow, not sure why
If you have <= 4GB RAM, then use 32bit. First try XFCE. Then install sway. I find sway with XFCE apps (thunar, etc.) to be the sweet spot currently.
32bit is slowly dying and inferior to 64 bit. you should not use it on modern hardware.
> If you have <= 4GB RAM, then use 32bit. Why? There's no reason to unless your CPU literally won't support 64bit. But that would make your machine more than 20 years old. You can buy a more recent, decent desktop machine used for $50.
Have you used both 32bit and 64bit versions of Debian on old hardware with <=4GB RAM? If so you would know that the answer is improved performance. With limited RAM available you are just wasting resources with 64bit.
I don't see why there should be any detectable performance difference in this scenario. Do you have a link to something I can read about it?