Starling
What it is
Starling is a desktop environment with a two-dimensional workspace and an optional three-dimensional city workspace. Its Linux desktop includes a Wayland compositor, window manager, dock, spaces, and nine first-party apps, running alongside the desktop already installed. It supports native Wayland clients and X11 apps, can launch applications installed on the machine, and has an App Store for installing more applications. The supported Linux package target is Ubuntu 26.04 LTS on amd64; the desktop can also run through Ubuntu 26.04 on WSL2. The Windows shell supports Windows 10 and 11 on x64, and the project says Store apps keep working. Starling is free and open source under Apache 2.0; its shell, apps, build tools, documentation, and host code use that license. The Linux session runs unprivileged, with DRM master and input provided through logind via libseat. The project describes the desktop as an early preview and says users should expect rough edges, missing parts, and bugs. The Windows preview installer is unsigned, installs per user without administrator privileges, and prompts SmartScreen on first run. The user guide directs people with questions or problems to GitHub Issues.
For and against
For
- Free and open source under Apache 2.0.
- Linux desktop includes nine first-party apps.
- Supports native Wayland clients and X11 apps.
- Windows shell supports Windows 10 and 11 on x64.
Against
- Desktop is an early preview with bugs and missing pieces.
- Supported Linux package target is Ubuntu 26.04 LTS on amd64.
- Windows preview installer is unsigned and prompts SmartScreen.
The verdict
Starling offers a free, open-source desktop with Linux and Windows options, but its Linux package target is specific and the project calls the desktop an early preview. The unsigned Windows installer and SmartScreen prompt are also worth considering before installation.
Who it suits
Starling may suit people interested in an open-source desktop environment who use Ubuntu 26.04 LTS on amd64 or Windows 10 or 11. Linux users should be comfortable trying an early preview with missing pieces and bugs.
Plans and prices
Starling
Free to use · open source · Apache 2.0
Read 11 Oct 2026 · starling.build
On the record
- App compatibility
- The Linux desktop runs native Wayland clients and X11 apps, and the Windows shell page says Store apps keep working.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Desktop
- Starling Desktop is a native desktop environment with built in tools and dedicated agent workspaces.starling.build · read 11 Oct 2026
- Desktop compatibility
- The desktop installation guide says Starling brings its own Wayland compositor and X11 server to run native Wayland clients and X11 apps.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Desktop preview
- The desktop is described as an early preview and has been tested with AMD, Intel, and NVIDIA graphics, VirtIO-GPU/virgl in a VM, and Windows through WSL2.starling.build · read 11 Oct 2026
- Desktop support
- The desktop is supported on Ubuntu 26.04 LTS (amd64) and on Windows through WSL2 with Ubuntu 26.04.starling.build · read 11 Oct 2026
- Features
- Its Linux desktop includes a Wayland compositor, window manager, dock, spaces, and nine first-party apps.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The Linux desktop launches applications installed on the machine; its App Store can install more applications.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- License
- Starling says its software is open source under Apache 2.0 and invites people to read the code and build on it.starling.build · read 11 Oct 2026
- Licensing
- Starling's own shell, apps, build tools, documentation, and host code are Apache-2.0 licensed.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Linux support
- The desktop is supported on Ubuntu 26.04 LTS (amd64), where it adds a session alongside the existing desktop.starling.build · read 4 Oct 2026
- Office suite
- Starling Office is a browser based suite for documents, presentations, and spreadsheets.starling.build · read 11 Oct 2026
- Product
- Starling is a desktop environment with a 2D workspace and an optional 3D city workspace.starling.build · read 4 Oct 2026
- Product family
- Starling describes itself as an open software factory building a terminal, an office suite, a desktop, and a shared Swift SDK.starling.build · read 11 Oct 2026
- SDK
- Starling says its Swift SDK brings together UI, rendering, and platform hosts for applications built on its shared foundation.starling.build · read 11 Oct 2026
- Security
- The Linux session runs unprivileged, with DRM master and input provided through logind via libseat.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Status
- The project describes the desktop as an early preview and says users should expect rough edges, missing pieces, and bugs.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The user guide directs users to GitHub Issues for problems and questions.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Support requirements
- The desktop installation guide specifies Ubuntu 26.04 LTS on amd64 as the only package target and says newer Ubuntu may work but is not tested.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
