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Cinnamon vs XFCE: Which Desktop to Choose?

Updated November 5, 2026

Total time
10 min
prep 10 min · cook 0 min
Serves
1
one portion

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Cinnamon vs XFCE: Which Desktop to Choose?

Choosing between Cinnamon and XFCE is like picking between a fully loaded kitchen and a minimalist one—both get the job done, but they feel very different. Cinnamon is a modern, feature-rich desktop that prioritizes visual polish and ease of use, while XFCE is a lightweight, fast, and highly customizable environment that excels on older hardware. This guide breaks down their differences in performance, customization, and workflow so you can pick the right one for your system.

Ingredients

  • 1 computer with at least 2 GB RAM (4 GB recommended for Cinnamon)
  • 1 Linux distribution (e.g., Linux Mint, Ubuntu, Debian, or Arch)
  • 1 USB drive (4 GB or larger) or a spare partition for installation
  • Optional: 1 graphics card with 3D acceleration (for Cinnamon’s effects)
  • Optional: 1 SSD for faster boot and app loading

Instructions

  1. Assess your hardware. Check your RAM, CPU, and graphics capabilities. If you have less than 4 GB RAM or an older processor (pre-2010), XFCE is the better choice. For modern systems with 4+ GB RAM, Cinnamon will run smoothly.
  2. Choose your distribution. Linux Mint offers both Cinnamon and XFCE editions, so you can try both without reinstalling. Ubuntu also has official flavors (Ubuntu Cinnamon, Xubuntu) for each desktop.
  3. Create a live USB. Use a tool like Rufus (Windows) or Etcher (all platforms) to write the ISO to your USB drive. Boot from it to test the desktop without installing.
  4. Test drive. Spend 15–20 minutes in the live session. Open the application menu, drag windows around, and check the system monitor. Note how responsive everything feels and whether animations are smooth.
  5. Install your chosen desktop. If you’re using a distro that supports multiple desktops, you can install the other one later. For example, on Ubuntu, run sudo apt install cinnamon-desktop-environment or sudo apt install xubuntu-desktop to add the desktop you didn’t pick.
  6. Customize your workspace. In Cinnamon, right-click the panel to add applets and desklets. In XFCE, right-click the desktop and select “Application Menu� to edit the panel, or install the “Whisker Menu� plugin for a more modern start menu.
  7. Set up your default applications. Both desktops let you choose your default browser, file manager, and text editor. Cinnamon includes Nemo (a feature-rich file manager), while XFCE uses Thunar (fast and simple).
  8. Adjust power and display settings. Cinnamon has a built-in display manager with night light and multi-monitor support. XFCE has similar settings but may require extra tools like xrandr for advanced setups.
  9. Test your workflow. Try your daily tasks: browsing, office work, coding, or media playback. Note any lag or missing features.
  10. Make the switch permanent. Once you’re happy, either reinstall with your chosen desktop or simply keep using the one you installed. You can always switch later.

Tips

  • Performance vs. features: If you have a low-end netbook or an old laptop, XFCE will feel snappier and use less RAM (typically 400–600 MB idle vs. Cinnamon’s 800–1200 MB).
  • Themes and icons: Both desktops support GTK themes, but Cinnamon has a larger selection of ready-made themes in its online store. XFCE requires a bit more manual configuration.
  • Common mistake: Don’t install both desktops on the same system unless you’re comfortable managing duplicate applications (e.g., two file managers, two settings panels). This can clutter your menus.
  • Substitution: If you like Cinnamon’s look but want lighter performance, try the MATE desktop—it’s a middle ground with a classic interface.

Serving Suggestions

Pair Cinnamon with a modern distro like Linux Mint or Fedora for a polished, out-of-the-box experience. Serve XFCE with a lightweight distro like Xubuntu or Arch for maximum control. Both go well with a solid SSD and a clean wallpaper to show off their aesthetics.

Variations

  • Hybrid approach: Use XFCE as your base and install Cinnamon’s panel or applets for a familiar feel.
  • Window managers: If you want even lighter than XFCE, try a tiling window manager like i3 or Openbox—but be prepared for a steeper learning curve.
  • KDE Plasma: If you want Cinnamon’s features but with more customization, consider KDE Plasma, which is also resource-friendly on modern hardware.

Storage and Reheating

Your desktop choice is stored on your hard drive or SSD. It will “keep� indefinitely, but you should update it regularly (via your package manager) to get security and feature patches. If you decide to switch later, you can remove the other desktop with sudo apt purge (on Debian/Ubuntu) or sudo pacman -R (on Arch). No reheating required—just reboot and you’re back in your environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which desktop uses less RAM? XFCE typically uses 400–600 MB idle, while Cinnamon uses 800–1200 MB. On a system with 2 GB RAM, XFCE is the clear winner.

Can I run Cinnamon on a 10-year-old laptop? It’s possible if you have at least 4 GB RAM and a decent CPU, but you may experience lag with animations. XFCE will run much smoother on such hardware.

Which is better for gaming? Both are fine, but XFCE has a smaller footprint, leaving more RAM for games. However, Cinnamon’s compositor can cause screen tearing unless you disable it or use a different compositor.

Can I switch desktops without reinstalling? Yes, you can install multiple desktops on most Linux distributions. Use your display manager (like LightDM or GDM) to choose which one to log into.

Is Cinnamon more secure than XFCE? Security depends on your distro and how you configure it, not the desktop itself. Both are equally secure if kept updated.

Which is easier for beginners? Cinnamon is more intuitive for people coming from Windows or macOS, with a familiar start menu and system settings. XFCE can be tweaked to look similar, but it requires more initial setup.

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