Lightweight Linux Desktop Environments and Wayland: Seven Out of Ten Are Struggling

Seven of ten lightweight Linux DEs ignore or fumble Wayland transition. After researching XFCE, LXQt, MATE, and more, the X11 choice might be valid.

I spent a week researching lightweight Linux desktop environments and their readiness for Wayland. The result? Seven out of ten are either ignoring Wayland completely or shipping experimental support with no timeline for completion. I found something more nuanced: staying on X11 is not stubbornness. Maybe it is the right call for their users.

Let me show you what I discovered.

The Success Story vs. The Stuck

LXQt is the clear winner of the lightweight Wayland race.