Ubuntu Budgie vs Xubuntu

Ubuntu Budgie and Xubuntu are both official Ubuntu flavors, offering unique takes on the classic Linux experience. This page compares their strengths, weaknesses, and ideal use cases to help you choose the best fit for your needs.

Ubuntu Budgie Icon

Ubuntu Budgie

Aesthetic and Efficient

  • Modern, stylish interface
  • Customizable Budgie desktop
  • Good balance of simplicity and features
  • Well-integrated with Ubuntu ecosystem
  • Consumes more resources than lighter distros
  • Fewer extensions compared to GNOME
Best for Stylish desktops
Xubuntu Icon

Xubuntu

Light and Fast

  • Lightweight XFCE environment
  • Efficient on older hardware
  • Stable and reliable
  • Fast boot times
  • Less visually appealing out-of-the-box
  • Basic default applications
Best for Older hardware

TL;DR: Pick Ubuntu Budgie for a modern, stylish desktop. Choose Xubuntu for a lightweight, efficient system.

Side-by-side comparison

How they stack up across key categories.

Ease of use

Budgie

Ubuntu Budgie offers a user-friendly interface with intuitive navigation and customization features.

Xubuntu

Xubuntu is straightforward and simple, making it easy for users to navigate without excess complexity.

Desktop feel

Budgie

The Budgie desktop is modern and sleek, offering a polished visual experience.

Xubuntu

XFCE in Xubuntu feels minimalistic and utilitarian, focusing on function over form.

Stability

Budgie

Ubuntu Budgie is stable and receives regular updates from the Ubuntu repositories.

Xubuntu

Xubuntu is known for its stability, often favored by users who prioritize reliability.

Updates

Budgie

Regular updates from Ubuntu ensure security and access to the latest features in Ubuntu Budgie.

Xubuntu

Xubuntu benefits from Ubuntu's update cycle, providing timely security patches and updates.

Software access

Budgie

Ubuntu Budgie has access to a wide range of software through Ubuntu's repositories and third-party sources.

Xubuntu

Xubuntu shares the same extensive software repositories as its Ubuntu counterparts.

Privacy

Budgie

Ubuntu Budgie respects user privacy, with options to further enhance privacy settings.

Xubuntu

Xubuntu offers a similar level of privacy and does not include unnecessary data collection by default.

Community & docs

Budgie

Ubuntu Budgie benefits from a supportive community and extensive documentation available for Ubuntu users.

Xubuntu

Xubuntu has a robust community with ample documentation and forums to assist users.

Gaming

Budgie

While not specifically tailored for gaming, Ubuntu Budgie can handle gaming needs with additional software like Steam.

Xubuntu

Xubuntu's lightweight nature allows it to run games efficiently, though additional setup may be required for optimal performance.

Pros & cons summary

Ubuntu Budgie

Pros

  • The Budgie desktop environment offers a sleek and modern interface, focusing on simplicity and elegance.
  • Customization options allow users to tailor the desktop to their liking with ease.
  • Ubuntu Budgie provides a user-friendly experience without sacrificing advanced features.
  • The distro benefits from Ubuntu's extensive repositories and community support.
  • Regular updates ensure security and access to the latest software.

Cons

  • Budgie, while visually appealing, can be more resource-intensive compared to other lightweight desktop environments.
  • The selection of extensions and applets is not as expansive as more established environments like GNOME or KDE.
  • Users looking for a highly minimalistic system might find Budgie's features a bit more than necessary.

Xubuntu

Pros

  • The XFCE desktop environment is known for its low resource usage, making it ideal for older or less powerful hardware.
  • Xubuntu offers a very stable and mature experience, with a focus on reliability and efficiency.
  • The distro boots quickly and performs well even on systems with limited resources.
  • Customization is straightforward, allowing users to personalize their desktop without impacting performance.
  • Regular updates and a solid support base provide a secure and consistent computing experience.

Cons

  • The default XFCE look may appear dated compared to more modern desktop environments, though it can be customized.
  • Xubuntu comes with a basic set of default applications, which may require additional installations for full functionality.
  • While efficient, it may lack some of the more advanced features found in heavier desktop environments.

Which should you pick?

Quick recommendations for common scenarios.

💻

Switching from Windows

Pick: Ubuntu Budgie

Its modern interface and ease of use make it an attractive choice for former Windows users.

📚

Following Linux tutorials

Pick: Either

Both distros support Ubuntu's extensive repositories, making it easy to follow tutorials.

🖥️

Using older hardware

Pick: Xubuntu

Its lightweight XFCE desktop environment is optimized for performance on older machines.

🎮

Linux gaming

Pick: Ubuntu Budgie

Its modern setup and support make it slightly better suited for handling contemporary games.

💼

Professional work

Pick: Either

Both distros are stable and offer the necessary tools for a productive work environment.

🏠

Simple daily desktop

Pick: Xubuntu

Its simplicity and efficiency make it ideal for everyday tasks without unnecessary fluff.

FAQ

Quick answers to common questions.

What is the relationship between Ubuntu Budgie and Xubuntu?

Both are official Ubuntu flavors, sharing the same base system but focusing on different desktop environments—Budgie and XFCE respectively.

Which is more beginner-friendly, Ubuntu Budgie or Xubuntu?

Both distros are accessible to beginners, but Ubuntu Budgie's modern interface might be more intuitive for new users.

How do they compare in terms of performance and speed?

Xubuntu is usually faster and more efficient due to its lightweight XFCE environment, making it better for older hardware.

Can I try these distros before installing them?

Yes, both distros offer live sessions through bootable media, allowing users to test them without installation.

How compatible are these distros with software?

Both distros have access to the same Ubuntu software repositories, ensuring a wide range of compatible applications.

What about hardware support for these distros?

Both Ubuntu Budgie and Xubuntu benefit from Ubuntu's strong hardware support, catering to a wide range of devices.

How often are new versions released?

Both distros follow Ubuntu's release cycle, with new versions every six months and long-term support releases every two years.

Is it easy to switch between Ubuntu Budgie and Xubuntu?

Switching involves installing the desired desktop environment and potentially uninstalling the current one. It is feasible but requires some technical understanding.

Compare another pair?

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