The appearance of your desktop plays an important role in your overall Linux experience. GTK themes provide a simple yet powerful way to customize the look of your desktop environment. Applying a GTK theme allows you to change the colors, window decorations, and overall style to suit your preferences.
With the exception of KDE Plasma and LXQt, most popular desktop environments are based on GTK. Therefore, it is important to know about the best GTK themes available today.
Installing GTK themes on Linux is relatively simple. Installation instructions are usually on the theme’s official website. Typically, it involves downloading the theme files and placing them (after extraction) in the ~/.themes
folder under your home directory.
Let’s take a deep dive into the top 15 most popular GTK themes in 2023.
Orchis is a well-respected GTK theme popular for its fresh and unique design. Inspired by the look of macOS Big Sur, Orchis brings a sleek and modern look to the Linux desktop.
Orchis is recognized for bringing the elegance of macOS Big Sur to the Linux ecosystem. By combining elements of modern design and the Fluent Design language, Orchis delivers a visually appealing and consistent user interface that enhances the overall desktop experience. Whether you prefer the light or dark variant, Orchis provides a fresh and sophisticated look to your Linux desktop.
Orchis Theme
Note: This theme supports libadwaita/GTK4 themes. So for the GNOME 40 desktop.
You can download and get the installation instructions from the page below.
WhiteSur is a smooth design inspired by macOS Big Sur GTK theme. Here are its key features:
WhiteSur GTK Theme
WhiteSur is compatible with multiple Linux desktop environments, such as GNOME, Xfce and Cinnamon, making it popular among users . Experience the elegance of macOS Big Sur on your Linux desktop with WhiteSur’s clean and unified interface.
Note: This theme also supports GTK4/libadwaita theme.
You can download the theme and get installation instructions from the page below.
Vimix is a popular GTK theme. Provides a sleek, modern look to the Linux desktop environment. Here are its main features:
Vimix Theme
Vimix has gained popularity through its combination of modern design elements, variety of colors, and compatibility with various desktop environments . Its stylish appearance and customization options make it an excellent choice for Linux users looking for a visually pleasing and consistent user interface.
NOTE: It supports modern GTK4/libadwaita themes.
You can download the Vimix theme from the page below.
Prof-GNOME-theme Yes A well-known GTK theme that brings a professional and sophisticated look to Linux desktop environments (especially GNOME). Here are its key features:
Prof-GNOME Theme - 2022 GNOME Theme
Prof-GNOME-theme is loved by professionals and users who appreciate a clean and polished desktop environment favor. Its attention to detail and focus on professionalism make it an excellent choice for those Linux desktop users looking for a refined and elegant look.
You can download the theme and get installation instructions from the page below:
Ant is a popular GTK theme known for its clean and minimalist design. Its key features include:
Ant Theme
Users can enjoy a modern and visually pleasing experience with Ant themes on their Linux systems. Its simplicity and elegant appearance make it a top choice for those seeking a sophisticated look for GTK applications and desktops.
You can download the Ant theme from the page below.
Note: This theme does not support GTK4/libadwaita.
Flat Remix is a highly acclaimed GTK theme. Provides a fresh and modern look to the Linux desktop. Its main features include:
Flat Remix Theme
Flat Remix brings a pleasant touch to the Linux desktop environment, enhancing the overall aesthetics and user experience. Its bright colors and coordinated design make it popular among users who prefer a clean and modern interface.
Note: This theme does not support GTK4/libadwaita.
You can download the Flat Remix theme from the page below.
Fluent GTK theme is a modern and stylish The theme is inspired by Microsoft's Fluent Design System. The following are its main features:
Fluent GTK Theme
Fluent GTK Theme brings the elegance of Microsoft design to the Linux desktop, appealing to those who appreciate a modern and refined visual experience User. It follows Fluent Design guidelines and continues to evolve, making it an ideal choice for those looking for a modern and sophisticated GTK theme.
Note: This theme supports GTK4/libadwaita theme.
You can download the Fluent GTK theme and get installation instructions from the page below.
Grvbox is a famous color scheme inspired by Vim Popular GTK themes inspired by gruvbox. Here are its key features:
Gruvbox GTK Theme
Grvbox Theme brings a nostalgic charm to the Linux desktop, evoking a feeling of familiarity and simplicity. Its carefully chosen colors and attention to detail make it a favorite among enthusiasts who appreciate the retro charm of GTK-based applications and desktop environments.
Note: This theme supports GTK4/libadwaita theme.
You can get the download and installation instructions for the Grvbox theme from the page below:
Graphite is a dark theme for GTK-based desktop environments. It's designed to be simple and elegant, perfect for users who want a clean, distraction-free interface.
The Graphite theme is based on the Adwaita theme and has many of the same features. However, Graphite has a darker color palette and a more minimalist design.
Graphite GTK Theme
If you are looking for a dark theme that is both simple and elegant, then the Graphite theme is a great choice. It is easy to install and use, and is compatible with many desktop environments.
A few months ago I did an evaluation of this theme that might be of interest to you: Graphite Theme Overview.
Note: This theme supports GTK4/libadwaita.
You can install this theme using the instructions on the page below.
Material is a theme inspired by Material for Neovim and Graphite theme (mentioned above) inspired by the well-known GTK theme. The following are its main features:
Material GTK Theme
Material theme brings the popular Material Design style to the Linux desktop, providing a visually pleasing and intuitive user experience. With its stylish design and compatibility with various GTK environments, the Material theme is popular among users who prefer a modern and harmonious interface.
Note: This theme supports the modern GTK4/libadwaita theme.
You can download and install the Material theme from the page below:
ArcArc theme is a popular GTK theme in the Linux community, known for its streamlined and modern design. It offers a clean, minimalist look that goes well with various desktop environments, especially GNOME. Here are some key features of the Arc theme:
Arc Darker Theme in Ubuntu GNOME
However, the current version of the themeYou can download the Arc theme from the official repository below (this is another fork of the original Arc theme):does not support the modern GTK4/libadwaita .
In addition, on Ubuntu and related distributions, you can use the following command to install:
sudo apt install arc-theme
Nordic Theme
Nordic Theme brings a tranquil and elegant atmosphere to the Linux desktop, immersing the user in a visually captivating environment middle. Its carefully chosen colors and attention to detail make it popular among Linux system users looking for a visually pleasing and relaxing GTK theme. It also comes with a theme for Firefox for better appearance and integration.You can download the Nordic theme from the page below:Note: This theme supports the modern GTK4/libadwaita theme.
AdaptaAdapta is an award-winning GTK theme known for its versatility and modern design.
Adapta themes enhance the sleek and adaptable style of the Linux desktop, allowing users to personalize their interface while maintaining a refined and unified look. Its flexibility and continued development make it a top choice for those looking for a modern and customizable GTK theme.
However, development of this excellent theme has been stopped for many years. You can still download and use the theme from the official page below:
Equilux is a dark theme for GTK-based desktop environments. It's designed to be neutral and non-distracting, making it ideal for use in low-light environments or for those who are sensitive to bright colors.
Equilux theme is based on Materia theme and has many of the same features. However, Equilux uses a softer color palette, making it more suitable for dark environments.
Equilux Theme
If you are looking for a dark theme that is both neutral and non-distracting, then Equilux theme is a great choice . It is easy to install and use, and is compatible with a variety of desktop environments.
Note: Development of this theme has stopped. There will be no further updates.
You can find the current version of this theme on the following page:
Paper is a well-known GTK theme known for its simple yet elegant design. Here are its main features:
Paper theme in GNOME
Paper, with its minimalist style and attention to detail, provides users with visually pleasing and Harmonious desktop experience. Its diverse color options and compatibility with multiple desktop environments make it a popular choice among Linux enthusiasts looking for a sleek and modern look.
NOTE: Development of this theme ended in 2016. Modern GTK4 is not supported.
The popular Adwaita theme is the best and most stable One of the GTK themes. The reason I didn't include it in the above list before is that it is already included in many distributions as a default theme that users already have installed on their systems.
The above GTK themes represent different flavors in a variety of styles, from modern designs to vibrant and colorful aesthetics. Whether you prefer a minimalist look or a visually stunning interface, you can find a GTK theme to suit your taste. I encourage you to try the above themes and pair them with various icon and mouse themes for a better experience.
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