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Compiz vs Enlightenment

Professional comparison and analysis to help you choose the right software solution for your needs.

Compiz icon
Compiz
Enlightenment icon
Enlightenment

Compiz vs Enlightenment: The Verdict

Last updated: May 2026 · Comparison by Sugggest Editorial Team

Feature Compiz Enlightenment
Sugggest Score — —
Category Os & Utilities Os & Utilities
Pricing Open Source Open Source

Product Overview

Compiz
Compiz

Description: Compiz is an open source compositing window manager for Linux Desktops. It provides desktop visual effects and window management functionality, and allows for plugins to provide additional features.

Type: software

Pricing: Open Source

Enlightenment
Enlightenment

Description: Enlightenment is a very lightweight and highly configurable desktop environment for Linux and BSD operating systems. It focuses on simplicity, elegance, and getting out of the way of the user.

Type: software

Pricing: Open Source

Key Features Comparison

Compiz
Compiz Features
  • 3D desktop cube
  • Exposé-like workspace previews
  • Animated window switching
  • Desktop wallpaper plugins
  • Window decoration plugins
Enlightenment
Enlightenment Features
  • Highly configurable and customizable desktop environment
  • Very lightweight and fast
  • Supports compositing for graphical effects
  • Themeable look and feel
  • Virtual desktop support
  • Application launcher menu
  • System tray and notifications
  • Settings modules for configuring desktop

Pros & Cons Analysis

Compiz
Compiz
Pros
  • Highly customizable visual effects
  • Lightweight and fast
  • Supports many plugins
  • Open source and free
Cons
  • Steep learning curve
  • Can cause graphics issues
  • Not actively maintained anymore
Enlightenment
Enlightenment
Pros
  • Lightweight and fast
  • Very customizable
  • Good performance even on old hardware
  • Low resource usage
  • Very stable and mature codebase
  • Active development community
Cons
  • Steep learning curve due to high configurability
  • Less user-friendly than mainstream DEs like GNOME
  • Smaller user base and community than more popular DEs
  • Less integrated with common Linux desktop technologies
  • Less polished look and feel out of the box

Pricing Comparison

Compiz
Compiz
  • Open Source
Enlightenment
Enlightenment
  • Open Source

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Learn More About Each Product

Compiz
Compiz
Reviews, pricing & alternatives →
Enlightenment
Enlightenment
Reviews, pricing & alternatives →

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