Jack Wallen/ZDNETFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.ZDNET key takeawaysXfce is a lightweight Linux desktop.Both Fedora and Ubuntu offer Xfce versions.Although both are great, one version is best.Xfce doesn't get enough love. I believe one reason is that the desktop environment typically defaults to a mostly old-school look and feel. Although Xfce tries to be modern, it lives in the shadows of desktops like COSMIC, Budgie, and KDE Plasma. For many who have yet to experience Xfce, one of the things you'll almost instantly discover is that it is one of the most flexible desktops on the market. There's almost nothing you can't do with it. If you like a traditional panel, you've got it. If you prefer a dock, Xfce can do it. Maybe a dock and a top panel? Sure. Two side panels? Heck, yeah. I've tweaked Xfce until it was like nothing I'd ever seen before on a PC desktop. This customization is fun.Also: The best Linux distros for beginnersAt the same time, because of that flexibility, Xfce can be a bit daunting. That's why I typically refer users to one of two different distributions that default to Xfce: Fedora Xfce and Xubuntu. Obviously, these two distributions have different bases (Fedora and Ubuntu). Along with those foundations, Xfce offers some subtle and some not-so-subtle differences.But which one best represents Xfce? Let's dig in and find out.Fedora Xfce Fedora Xfce has a layout that should be instantly familiar. Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNETIf you've been following my coverage of Fedora, you've probably spotted a particular trend: speed. Fedora has become a very fast Linux distribution, even with a more heavyweight desktop like GNOME. When you consider how lightweight Xfce is, that speed is even more pronounced. But before you experience the speed, you'll see an Xfce layout that's somewhat MacOS-ish. On the Fedora Xfce desktop, you'll find a dock and a top panel. The application menu is at the top-left corner of the display, and the dock is dedicated to application shortcuts. This layout should be instantly familiar to most users.Also: How I configure DNS on Ubuntu Linux distros via the command line - it's easier than you thinkThe dock also has an Application Finder, which serves the same purpose as the Apps icon on the MacOS dock. From that launcher, you'll notice how many apps are preinstalled on Fedora Xfce. There's the Assunder CD Ripper, Catfish File Search, Claws Mail, Firefox, a Firewall GUI, GParted, LibreOffice, and a fairly large assortment of utilities.And then there's an app called dnfdragora, a GUI app store, where you can install just about anything you need. When you open dnfdragora, the first thing you'll notice is that it looks very much in line with Xfce. Unfortunately, I experienced several crashes with dnfdragora. I ran an update via the command line, and then rebooted to solve that issue. During the reboot, Fedora did its thing and ran some upgrades. dnfdragora might look a bit outdated, but it works very well for app installations. Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNETAfter a reboot, dnfdragora ran just fine. I installed GIMP without any problems.Who is Fedora Xfce for?If you're looking for one of the fastest Xfce experiences, and don't mind using a throwback to an old-school look and feel (with a dash of MacOS), Fedora Xfce is for you.Xubuntu Xubuntu looks a bit more modern and darker. Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNETAs you've probably already discerned, Xubuntu uses an Ubuntu base, which may not be as fast as Fedora, but it is a bit more stable. Also: Ubuntu 26.04 vs. Fedora 44: After years of testing both Linux distros, here's my verdictXubuntu also presents a slightly more modern-looking Xfce desktop. Although there's no dock, you get a single top panel with a desktop menu at the far-left corner.Other than that bottom dock and a different wallpaper, the two desktops look similar at first blush. It's when you start digging in that you find the differences. One of the big differences is the App Center, which looks identical to the Ubuntu App Center and will probably make you feel more at home installing apps. This is a much more modern-looking app store. Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNETDoes the desktop's approach mean everything in Xubuntu looks more modern than Fedora Xfce? The answer depends on your definition of modern. For instance, the Xubuntu take on LibreOffice offers a slightly more dimensional UI, whereas the one in Fedora Xfce is much flatter. Most would consider the flatter UI more modern, but you can always easily change that look and feel by going into Settings > Appearance > Style and selecting either Adwaita or Numix. Fedora Xfce is on the left and Xubuntu on the right. Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNETThe one thing I don't much care for is that to update Xubuntu, you have to open the Synaptic Package Manager, click Mark all upgrades, click Mark, and then apply them. This approach is a bit much, and dnfdragora-updater is more efficient (especially as the tool lives in your top bar as an interactive icon).Who is Xubuntu for?This is a tough question, because you don't get the speed of Fedora Xfce, updates are a bit cumbersome, and the default layout is fairly minimal. However, if you prefer the Ubuntu way of doing things, then Xubuntu is the way to go.Which desktop presents Xfce best?I have to go with Fedora Xfce. Setting aside the speed, the default layout is more efficient (and familiar), having two ways to access apps is handy, the flatter theme is more modern, and the update process is far better than that found in Xubuntu.Also: 7 Linux commands I can't live without after 20 years in the terminalIf you're looking for speed, simplicity, and a slightly more modern-looking UI, go with Fedora Xfce, and you'll be just fine.