Ubuntu MATE
The comfortable choice
- Traditional desktop experience
- Highly customizable
- Lightweight and fast
- Strong community support
- Fewer default applications
- Can feel dated to some users
Best for
Desktop simplicity
Ubuntu MATE vs Xubuntu
Ubuntu MATE and Xubuntu are two popular flavors of Ubuntu, each offering a unique desktop environment and feature set. This page explores their strengths, weaknesses, and ideal use cases to help you choose the right one for your needs.
Xubuntu
Efficient and elegant
- Lightweight and fast
- Minimalist and clean interface
- Great for low-spec hardware
- Good balance of features
- Limited desktop effects
- Less customizable than some alternatives
Best for
Efficient performance
TL;DR: Pick Ubuntu MATE for a traditional desktop feel. Pick Xubuntu for a lightweight, efficient experience.
Side-by-side comparison
How they stack up across key categories.
Ease of use
MATE
Ubuntu MATE offers a user-friendly, traditional desktop experience that is particularly welcoming for users transitioning from older Windows versions.
Xubuntu
Xubuntu provides a clean and straightforward interface that is easy to navigate, making it a great choice for both newcomers and experienced users.
Desktop feel
MATE
The MATE desktop environment is reminiscent of Gnome 2, providing a classic computing experience.
Xubuntu
The XFCE desktop environment used by Xubuntu is minimalist and efficient, focusing on speed and simplicity.
Stability
MATE
Ubuntu MATE is known for its rock-solid stability, thanks to its mature and well-tested desktop environment.
Xubuntu
Xubuntu is also highly stable, with a focus on providing a reliable and consistent user experience.
Updates
MATE
Ubuntu MATE follows Ubuntu's release cycle, providing regular updates and long-term support versions.
Xubuntu
Xubuntu receives updates alongside Ubuntu, ensuring users have access to the latest software and security patches.
Software access
MATE
Users have full access to Ubuntu's extensive repository, providing thousands of applications and tools.
Xubuntu
Xubuntu users also benefit from Ubuntu's vast software library, ensuring a wide selection of available applications.
Privacy
MATE
Ubuntu MATE respects user privacy, with no telemetry enabled by default.
Xubuntu
Xubuntu prioritizes user privacy, maintaining a minimalistic setup that doesn't intrude on personal data.
Community & docs
MATE
Ubuntu MATE has a vibrant community and extensive documentation, providing ample resources for troubleshooting and customization.
Xubuntu
Xubuntu enjoys strong community support and comprehensive documentation, making it easy to find help and guidance.
Gaming
MATE
While Ubuntu MATE supports gaming through Steam and other platforms, it may not be the best choice for high-end gaming.
Xubuntu
Xubuntu's lightweight nature can free up system resources for gaming, although it shares similar limitations for high-performance gaming.
Pros & cons summary
Ubuntu MATE
Pros
- Ubuntu MATE offers a traditional desktop experience similar to older versions of Windows, which can be very intuitive for new users.
- The MATE desktop environment is highly customizable, allowing users to tailor their experience to their preferences.
- This distribution is lightweight and fast, making it a great choice for older hardware or systems with limited resources.
- A strong community provides support through forums and extensive documentation, making it easy to find help when needed.
- Access to Ubuntu's vast repositories ensures a wide range of software is readily available.
Cons
- Ubuntu MATE includes fewer pre-installed applications, requiring users to install additional software to get started.
- The look and feel of the MATE desktop can seem dated to users who prefer more modern interfaces.
- Some advanced features might require additional configuration, which could be challenging for beginners.
Xubuntu
Pros
- Xubuntu uses the XFCE desktop environment, which is lightweight and fast, making it a great choice for older or less powerful computers.
- The interface is minimalist and clean, providing a distraction-free user experience.
- Xubuntu provides a good balance of essential features without overwhelming the user with options, making it suitable for newcomers.
- It has a strong focus on performance and efficiency, ensuring smooth operation even on low-spec hardware.
- The distro benefits from Ubuntu's extensive software repositories, providing access to a wide range of applications.
Cons
- Xubuntu offers limited desktop effects compared to more feature-rich environments like GNOME or KDE.
- The level of customization available in XFCE is less extensive than in some other desktop environments like KDE Plasma.
- Users looking for a more visually dynamic experience might find Xubuntu's minimalist approach lacking.
Which should you pick?
Quick recommendations for common scenarios.
Switching from Windows
Pick: Ubuntu MATE
The traditional desktop experience of Ubuntu MATE makes it easier for Windows users to transition.
Following Linux tutorials
Pick: Either
Both distros have strong community support and documentation, making them equally suitable for learning.
Running on older hardware
Pick: Xubuntu
Xubuntu's lightweight XFCE desktop is optimized for low-spec systems, making it ideal for older hardware.
Casual gaming
Pick: Xubuntu
Xubuntu's efficiency can help maximize performance for casual gaming.
Professional work environment
Pick: Ubuntu MATE
The stable and familiar interface of Ubuntu MATE is well-suited for a professional workspace.
Simple daily desktop
Pick: Either
Both distros provide a reliable and easy-to-use environment for daily computing tasks.
FAQ
Quick answers to common questions.
What is the relationship between Ubuntu MATE and Xubuntu?
Both are official Ubuntu flavors, sharing the same base but differing in desktop environments—MATE for Ubuntu MATE and XFCE for Xubuntu.
Are these distros beginner-friendly?
Yes, both Ubuntu MATE and Xubuntu are considered beginner-friendly, with intuitive interfaces and strong community support.
Which distro offers better performance and speed?
Xubuntu generally offers better performance on low-spec hardware due to its lightweight XFCE desktop environment.
Can I try these distros before installing?
Yes, both Ubuntu MATE and Xubuntu can be tried via a live session from a bootable USB or DVD without installation.
Is software compatibility an issue with either distro?
Both distros have access to the same Ubuntu repositories, ensuring similar software compatibility and availability.
How well do these distros support hardware?
Both distros offer good hardware support, benefiting from Ubuntu's extensive driver library and compatibility.
What are the release cycles for these distros?
Both follow Ubuntu's release cycle, with regular updates and Long Term Support (LTS) versions available every two years.
Is it easy to switch between these distros?
Switching between Ubuntu MATE and Xubuntu is straightforward, as they share the same Ubuntu base, allowing for easy reinstallation or dual-boot setups.
Compare another pair?
Generate a clean "vs" page for any two distros.