# LXQt

15 Hacker News commenters recommended LXQt and 2 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 7 of 13 months. It meets the Hacker Approved badge rule.

**Verdict:** Light, fast Linux desktop with low memory use that suits older hardware. Critics note it lacks Wayland support and has dated-looking visuals.

## Why people recommend it

- Low memory use on old hardware (2 comments): "super snappy and complete. I use it on an old laptop (2012) and it still works great with a very low memory footprint" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46584543)) "uses significantly less RAM than xfce" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46725315))
- Fast and snappy (3 comments): "super snappy and complete. I use it on an old laptop (2012) and it still works great with a very low memory footprint" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46584543)) "For people wanting the old-fashioned fast and simple GUI experience, I recommend LXQt." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47649245)) "If anything, UX is snappy." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46503756))
- Simple, light alternative to KDE (2 comments): "For people wanting the old-fashioned fast and simple GUI experience, I recommend LXQt." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47649245)) "Also try LXDE and LXQT if you would like a 'lighter KDE' vibe" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46584447))
- Pairs well with Arch and NixOS (3 comments): "I have that mostly set up with LXQT on NixOS on my Framework desktop. I love it" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45927567)) "Instead of Mint I'd pick something like Alpine Linux with LXQT" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48956454)) "I've been very pleased with Arch and LXQt" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47712763))

## What people warn about

- Looks dated and clunky (3 comments): "each time I fall back on LXQt with kwin and everything looks a bit uglier but just simply works" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46587090)) "in the middle with broken clunky features (where I am now with LXQt)" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50105363)) "AntiX or even LxQt is hideous despite consuming more resources" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48696780))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [Windows 8 Desktop Environment for Linux](https://hackerapproved.com/p/windows-8-desktop-environment-for-linux.md): 13 recommend
- [NsCDE](https://hackerapproved.com/p/nscde.md): 7 recommend
- [DMS (DankMaterialShell)](https://hackerapproved.com/p/dms.md): 6 recommend
- [NextSpace](https://hackerapproved.com/p/nextspace.md): 5 recommend

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "LXQt", https://hackerapproved.com/p/lxqt/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).