In the sprawling universe of Linux desktop environments, two names might seem like they’re from different epochs: LXDE and COSMIC. One is a relic of simplicity and efficiency, the other a bold reinvention for the modern era. But what really sets them apart in late 2025? Let’s dive deep.
LXDE: The Lightweight Veteran Still Standing
LXDE — or Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment — was designed with one straightforward philosophy: keep it fast and keep it light. It’s a minimalist desktop environment built years ago, primarily using the GTK toolkit and aimed at computers with modest resources. On older PCs and underpowered hardware, LXDE still shines. It boots quickly, consumes very little RAM, and its applications are unpretentious — things just work without fanfare. The interface doesn’t rely on animations or visual effects, but it delivers reliable performance on systems where heavier environments would struggle.
What’s interesting is that even though it’s no longer at the center of attention, LXDE hasn’t vanished. Enthusiasts and niche distributions still ship it because it fulfills a clear promise: a responsive desktop that stays out of the way. Its modular components — such as PCManFM for file management or LXTerminal for command-line work — can also be used independently in other setups.
That said, LXDE is no longer a hotbed of innovation. Development moves slowly, updates are infrequent, and much of the community focus has shifted toward successors like LXQt. Still, if your priority is keeping things lightweight, predictable, and stable, LXDE remains a relevant choice in 2025.
COSMIC: A Modern Desktop Built From Scratch
COSMIC represents the opposite end of the spectrum. Developed by System76, COSMIC is not a traditional desktop assembled from existing parts. It is a desktop environment written from the ground up in Rust, designed to take advantage of modern Linux technologies while offering a cohesive and highly configurable experience.
By December 2025, COSMIC has reached its 1.0 release, marking a major milestone after a long period of rapid development. It runs natively on Wayland and includes its own compositor, panels, launcher, window management system, and a growing set of core applications such as a file manager, terminal, app store, and text editor. Everything is designed to feel integrated rather than stitched together.
COSMIC’s defining trait is flexibility without excessive complexity. Users can choose between floating and tiling workflows, arrange workspaces horizontally or vertically, and customize panels and shortcuts without relying on third-party extensions. The choice of Rust as the primary language also brings advantages in memory safety and long-term maintainability, which aligns with System76’s goal of building a stable yet forward-looking desktop.
However, COSMIC’s ambition comes with trade-offs. Despite reaching a stable release, some users still encounter rough edges, particularly on non-System76 hardware. It is clearly designed for modern systems and expects more resources than traditional lightweight environments.
Head-to-Head: LXDE vs COSMIC
When comparing LXDE and COSMIC, the contrast is sharp.
Performance and System Requirements
LXDE is extremely lightweight and ideal for older hardware, virtual machines, or low-resource systems. COSMIC, while efficient for a modern desktop, requires significantly more processing power and memory.
Features and Modern Capabilities
LXDE provides essential desktop functionality with little emphasis on advanced workflows. COSMIC offers a full modern feature set, including integrated tiling, Wayland support, and purpose-built applications.
Customization
LXDE allows basic customization through panels and configuration files but remains limited by its legacy architecture. COSMIC provides extensive customization options directly within the desktop experience.
Stability and Maturity
LXDE is mature and predictable, having changed little over the years. COSMIC is newer and evolving quickly, though the December 2025 release signals increasing stability and long-term commitment.
Intended Audience
LXDE targets users who value simplicity and efficiency above all else. COSMIC targets users who want a modern, customizable, and future-oriented Linux desktop.
Which Desktop Environment Makes Sense in 2025?
If you are installing Linux on aging hardware or need a fast, minimal desktop that consumes as few resources as possible, LXDE still makes sense. It does not try to impress, and that is precisely its strength.
If, on the other hand, you are running modern hardware and want a desktop that feels contemporary, cohesive, and designed with the future in mind, COSMIC is one of the most interesting developments in the Linux space right now. It aims to redefine what a Linux desktop can be, rather than refining what already exists.
Final Thoughts
LXDE and COSMIC are not direct competitors in the traditional sense. They represent two very different philosophies coexisting within the Linux ecosystem. LXDE embodies stability, efficiency, and restraint. COSMIC embodies innovation, ambition, and a willingness to rethink long-standing assumptions.
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