Lubuntu and Ubuntu MATE are both flavors of Ubuntu, tailored to different user needs. Lubuntu focuses on being lightweight and efficient, perfect for older hardware. Ubuntu MATE offers a classic, customizable desktop experience. This page compares them to help you decide which suits your requirements.
The lightweight choice
The classic experience
TL;DR: Pick Lubuntu for lightweight efficiency. Pick Ubuntu MATE for a classic, customizable desktop.
How they stack up across key categories.
Lubuntu's simple and minimalistic interface makes it easy to navigate, especially for users who prefer a straightforward experience.
Ubuntu MATE offers a familiar, classic desktop layout that is intuitive for users transitioning from older versions of GNOME or Windows.
Lubuntu's LXQt desktop is minimalistic, providing basic functionality with less visual flair.
Ubuntu MATE's desktop environment is customizable and offers a more traditional desktop feel with various applets and themes.
Lubuntu is stable and performs well even on older hardware, with fewer updates reducing potential instability.
Ubuntu MATE is known for its stability, benefiting from the robust Ubuntu base and frequent updates.
Lubuntu receives regular updates but focuses on maintaining a lightweight system, potentially leading to fewer new features.
Ubuntu MATE receives regular updates, providing users with access to the latest features and improvements while maintaining stability.
Lubuntu provides access to the Ubuntu software repositories, though the default selection is minimal.
Ubuntu MATE also taps into the extensive Ubuntu software repositories, offering a wide range of applications.
Lubuntu, like all Ubuntu flavors, respects user privacy and does not include data-collecting features.
Ubuntu MATE emphasizes user privacy, with settings that allow users to control data sharing and telemetry.
Lubuntu benefits from the broader Ubuntu community, but its specific user base is smaller, with fewer dedicated resources.
Ubuntu MATE has a strong, active community with excellent documentation and support forums.
Lubuntu can run games but may be limited by hardware capabilities, focusing more on efficiency.
Ubuntu MATE can handle gaming well, especially on systems with adequate resources, offering a good balance of performance and graphical capability.
Quick recommendations for common scenarios.
Pick: Ubuntu MATE
Its classic desktop environment provides a familiar experience for Windows users.
Pick: Either
Both distros are based on Ubuntu, ensuring compatibility with most tutorials.
Pick: Lubuntu
It is optimized for low-resource systems, making it ideal for older machines.
Pick: Ubuntu MATE
Offers better performance for gaming due to its more feature-rich environment.
Pick: Ubuntu MATE
Its stability and feature set make it suitable for professional environments.
Pick: Lubuntu
Ideal for users who want a no-frills, efficient experience for daily tasks.
Quick answers to common questions.
Both are official flavors of Ubuntu, sharing the same base system and repositories, but they differ in their desktop environments and default applications.
Ubuntu MATE is often considered more beginner-friendly due to its familiar and intuitive desktop layout, while Lubuntu is simpler but may require more manual setup.
Lubuntu is generally faster on older hardware due to its lightweight LXQt environment. Ubuntu MATE offers more features but might require more resources.
Yes, both Lubuntu and Ubuntu MATE offer live sessions in their installation media, allowing you to try them without installing on your system.
Yes, both distros have access to the same Ubuntu repositories, meaning they can run the same software packages without issue.
Both distros offer good hardware support due to their Ubuntu base, but Lubuntu may perform better on older or less powerful hardware.
Both Lubuntu and Ubuntu MATE follow the Ubuntu release cycle, with major updates every six months and LTS versions every two years.
Switching between these distros is straightforward, as you can install the MATE or LXQt desktop environments on either system, or perform a fresh installation to switch entirely.
Generate a clean "vs" page for any two distros.
