Ubuntu MATE

What Ubuntu MATE does

Ubuntu MATE is a community-developed Linux operating system distribution that combines the Ubuntu base with the MATE desktop environment, an official Ubuntu flavor since version 15.04 in April 2015. The project is led by Martin Wimpress with a small core team of 1-10 employees and a broader community of volunteer contributors, distributed globally as a free, open-source download from ubuntu-mate.org. Its target users include general consumers seeking a stable desktop, users reviving older hardware, migrators from Windows/macOS/ChromeOS, and institutional users needing long-term support releases.

The technical stack is built on the Linux kernel with the MATE Desktop Environment (a continuation of GNOME 2), pre-configured with Firefox, LibreOffice, Evolution, and MATE-native utilities including Caja (file manager), Pluma (text editor), MATE Calculator, Engrampa, Eye of MATE, Atril, Baobab, and MATE Terminal. Differentiating proprietary utilities include MATE Tweak (panel layout switching across Familiar, Traditional, Contemporary, Redmond, Cupertino, Pantheon, Mutiny, and Netbook configurations), MATE HUD (rofi-based menu search), Ubuntu MATE Welcome (post-install wizard), Software Boutique/App Center (curated application installer), and MATE User Manager. Recent releases have incorporated PipeWire as the default audio stack, BitLocker interoperability, and full-disk encryption in the installer.

The business model is non-commercial at its core: the software is free and distributed under open-source licenses, with revenue derived from voluntary donations, Patreon crowdfunding, and the Emporium merchandise channel (branded goods plus Entroware pre-installed hardware). Distribution occurs through direct downloads, Canonical's Ubuntu flavor channels, and OEM pre-installs, with community engagement via forums, GitHub, Transifex, and the project's blog. The project has no disclosed funding rounds, no enterprise customers, and operates as a community asset rather than a venture-scale entity.

Name

Ubuntu MATE

Legal name

Ubuntu MATE

Website

https://ubuntu-mate.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ubuntu MATE is a community-developed, Ubuntu-based Linux distribution featuring the MATE desktop environment, serving general consumers, users with older hardware, and OS migrators since 2015 as an official Ubuntu flavor.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Linux Desktop Operating System

NAICS

Computer Systems Design Services (541512)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAEAIAC

Virtual Desktop & Application Delivery (VDI/DaaS, Remote Apps)

Business & Public Services/IT & Digital Services (Managed Services, Systems Integration)/Digital Workplace & End-User Computing Services

Keywords

• Linux distribution
• Desktop operating system
• Open source OS
• Ubuntu flavor
• MATE desktop environment

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Crowdfunding: Ubuntu MATE is a community-driven project funded primarily through donations and Patreon support. The project accepts financial contributions to fund hosting costs, development time, and support for dependent open-source projects.
2. Merchandise Sales (Emporium): The Ubuntu MATE Emporium sells branded merchandise including shirts, jackets, mugs, and books. Some merchandise features pre-installed Ubuntu MATE computers from partners like Entroware.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Ubuntu MATE is a community-developed, Ubuntu-based Linux operating system distribution that integrates the MATE desktop environment. It is distributed as a free download and provides a stable, configurable desktop with traditional metaphors, suitable for modern workstations, single board computers, and older hardware. The distribution includes pre-configured applications for daily computing and offers customization tools such as multiple panel layouts, HiDPI support, and continuous security updates.

Product overview

Ubuntu MATE is a single, unified Linux desktop operating system distribution that combines the Ubuntu base with the MATE Desktop environment. The core offering is the Ubuntu MATE operating system itself, supplemented by the MATE Desktop environment components (Caja file manager, Pluma text editor, MATE Calculator, Engrampa archive manager, Eye of MATE image viewer, Atril document viewer, Baobab disk analyzer, and MATE Terminal). Ubuntu MATE adds its own customization tools including MATE Tweak (panel layout switching), MATE HUD (menu search), Ubuntu MATE Welcome (post-install setup), Software Boutique (application installation), MATE User Manager (account management), and Ayatana Indicators (panel applets).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ubuntu MATE
• Ubuntu MATE Emporium Merchandise

Quantifiable outcome

• 41% reduction in ISO image size (from 4.1GB to 2.7GB) enabling faster downloads
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Canonical Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanonical develops and maintains Ubuntu, the base operating system that Ubuntu MATE builds upon. Ubuntu MATE is an official flavor of Ubuntu. Canonical provides the foundation, package repositories, and infrastructure that Ubuntu MATE depends on.
• MATE Desktop ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe MATE Desktop project provides the desktop environment that gives Ubuntu MATE its name and core user experience. Ubuntu MATE contributes to and works closely with the MATE Desktop team to integrate desktop improvements.
• EntrowareminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEntroware sells computers pre-installed with Ubuntu MATE through the Ubuntu MATE Emporium, providing hardware with the operating system pre-installed for users who prefer not to install themselves.
• Linux Community and Corporate ContributorscoreTechnology or IntegrationSupported by Intel, Red Hat, Linaro, Samsung, IBM, SUSE, Texas Instruments, Google, Canonical, Oracle, AMD, and Microsoft who contribute to Linux development and provide fixes and new features.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Lubuntu: Lubuntu is an official Ubuntu flavor using the LXQt desktop, optimized for low-spec and older hardware. It competes most directly with Ubuntu MATE on the legacy-hardware revival use case.
• Kubuntu: Kubuntu is an official Ubuntu flavor that pairs Ubuntu with the KDE Plasma desktop. It is a direct sibling to Ubuntu MATE within Canonical's official flavor program, competing for users who want an alternative desktop environment on Ubuntu.
• Debian: Debian is the upstream distribution from which Ubuntu (and therefore Ubuntu MATE) is derived. It competes for technically inclined Linux desktop users and serves as an alternative base for users seeking stability without Canonical's commercial layer.
• Pop!_OS: Pop!_OS is an Ubuntu-based distribution from System76 targeting developers and creators, with its own custom GNOME-based desktop environment. It competes for the Ubuntu-derived desktop OS user base with a more developer-focused value proposition.
• Linux Mint: Linux Mint is the most direct peer to Ubuntu MATE: a community-driven, beginner-friendly Linux distribution built on Ubuntu (and optionally Debian) bases that emphasizes ease of use, a traditional desktop metaphor, and out-of-the-box media support. It targets the same user segments of Windows switchers and older-hardware users.
• elementary OS: elementary OS is an Ubuntu-based Linux distribution with a curated, macOS-inspired desktop experience. It competes with Ubuntu MATE's Cupertino layout for users seeking a polished, easy-to-use alternative to mainstream operating systems.
• Xubuntu: Xubuntu is an official Ubuntu flavor using the Xfce desktop environment, targeting low-resource hardware and traditional desktop users. It overlaps closely with Ubuntu MATE's positioning for older hardware and users preferring a familiar, lightweight interface.
• Fedora Workstation: Fedora Workstation is a leading community Linux distribution sponsored by Red Hat, targeting desktop users who want a cutting-edge, polished Linux environment. It competes with Ubuntu MATE in the broader Linux desktop market even though it uses a non-Ubuntu base.
• Zorin OS: Zorin OS is an Ubuntu-based Linux distribution specifically designed to replicate the look and feel of Windows for easy migration. It directly competes with Ubuntu MATE for the Windows-switcher and beginner user segments using a similar layout-switching approach.

Broad incumbents

• Microsoft Windows: Microsoft Windows is the dominant desktop operating system and the primary incumbent Ubuntu MATE positions itself against. Ubuntu MATE explicitly targets users frustrated with Windows update models, forced upgrades, and licensing costs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• GitHubgithub.com/ubuntu-mate
• Xx.com/ubuntu_mate
• Facebookfacebook.com/UbuntuMATEedition
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ubuntu-mate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ubuntu MATE