Kubuntu vs. Fedora: Which Linux distro is right for your KDE Plasma desktop?

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Each Kubuntu and Fedora KDE Plasma are nice distributions.
• One is predicated on Ubuntu, and one is predicated on Fedora.
• There are delicate explanation why you may gravitate towards one or the opposite.

KDE Plasma has turn out to be considered one of my favourite Linux desktop environments. Not solely is it lovely, however it’s additionally extremely versatile, quick, and dependable.

As soon as you have selected the desktop surroundings that is best for you, that you must select a distribution that enhances your surroundings. With KDE Plasma, there are quite a lot of choices. Two of those will go head-to-head right here: Kubuntu and Fedora KDE Plasma.

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You may marvel, “Is not KDE Plasma at all times KDE Plasma, irrespective of the distribution?” That could be a logical assumption, however it’s not at all times true. Even delicate variations will be sport changers.

Between these two distributions, there isn’t a proper or incorrect alternative — they’re each improbable. Nevertheless, likelihood is that considered one of them can be higher suited to your wants.

Let’s discover out.

Kubuntu

The very first thing to know is that Kubuntu is predicated on Ubuntu, which suggests it advantages from the user-friendliness of the APT package deal supervisor and the huge variety of functions accessible for set up. Here is a pleasant little bit of trivia: You should buy a Kubuntu laptop computer that performs extremely effectively.

As Ubuntu (together with all distributions based mostly on Canonical’s OS) is among the most generally used open-source working methods, you will be sure that Kubuntu enjoys most of the identical advantages, corresponding to a really massive neighborhood, in depth documentation, long-term help (as much as 15 years), and rock-solid stability.

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Kubuntu places forth a reasonably untouched KDE Plasma and, in fact, ships with the darkish theme enabled (why that is at all times the case, I will by no means know). All the same old KDE Plasma bits are there, unchanged by the event group. It is lovely, and it is quick.

However that is par for the course with KDE Plasma.

What distinguishes Kubuntu from Fedora? Subtlety. One factor that does set Kubuntu aside is the regularity of Ubuntu and Ubuntu spin releases. You possibly can rely on two releases per 12 months: a .04 and a .10, and it is like clockwork. Even higher, the upgrades from one launch to the following are as seamless because it will get.

One other big-ticket merchandise that units them aside is the default repositories. With Kubuntu, you get a large quantity of accessible apps, all from the usual repositories. You additionally get Snap packages, that are Canonical’s tackle the common package deal supervisor. Though Snap may not be the Linux neighborhood’s favourite common package deal supervisor, it is nonetheless an ideal choice for putting in all kinds of functions (together with proprietary software program).

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Snap packages do are typically a bit slower to open than Flatpak apps, however they take pleasure in the identical sandboxing. Snap packages are additionally pulled from a centralized repository (which is maintained by Canonical), whereas Flatpak is distributed. Due to this, some take into account Snap packages a bit extra reliable. I’ve by no means had a problem with both Snap or Flatpak, so for me, it is a wash.

The model of KDE Plasma you get (out of the field) with Kubuntu is 6.5.3 operating on Wayland. I instantly ran a full replace and located the Kubuntu improve was a bit slower than the Fedora KDE Plasma replace. Nevertheless, the Fedora KDE Plasma required a reboot for the upgrades to use (which isn’t the case with Kubuntu — except the kernel can also be upgraded). 

Functions and kernels

By default, Kubuntu ships with the likes of LibreOffice (v 25.8.4), Firefox (146.0), Thunderbird, Elisa, Haruna, and the same old KDE Plasma apps. 

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One other bonus: Kubuntu ships with the {Hardware} Enablement Kernel, which supplies you improved help for contemporary {hardware}.

Is Kubuntu best for you?

It boils down to 1 easy query: Do you want Ubuntu and KDE Plasma? If that’s the case, Kubuntu is the best distribution for you. Should you desire the APT package deal supervisor over DNF, should you’d relatively use Snap packages over Flatpak, and should you’d take pleasure in a daily, well timed launch schedule, go together with Kubuntu.

Fedora KDE Plasma

Second verse, identical as the primary. 

Fedora KDE Plasma is clearly based mostly on Fedora, so it advantages from the identical underpinnings, together with the DNF package deal supervisor and the SELinux entry management system. Fedora KDE Plasma additionally leans in to the Flatpak common package deal supervisor, though you need to allow Flatpak help for the KDE Uncover app retailer. To do this, go to Uncover > Settings and click on “Add Flathub” within the high proper nook. 

As soon as you have added Flatpak, you will discover a significantly bigger collection of apps accessible to put in.

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While you evaluate the default desktop settings between Fedora KDE Plasma and Kubuntu, the Fedora take appears a bit extra fashionable, because it ships with the floating panel enabled. Apart from that, completely different wallpaper, and completely different icons for the beginning menu, these two desktops look virtually similar. 

Additionally they behave the identical.

The one distinction I can constantly detect between these two is that Fedora KDE Plasma has a slight edge when it comes to efficiency. Over the previous 5 or so years, each Fedora and KDE Plasma have grown significantly sooner, and when these two come collectively, it is spectacular. That is to not say Kubuntu is a slouch, however Fedora KDE Plasma simply appears to be a bit extra performant.

As for software program, Fedora is understood for transport with more moderen releases. Nevertheless, I used to be stunned to find that Kubuntu and Fedora KDE Plasma shipped with the identical model of Firefox, and Kubuntu had a brand new model of LibreOffice. The place Fedora KDE Plasma ships with LibreOffice 25.8.3.2, Kubuntu contains 25.8.4.2. The distinction is minimal, however it took me unexpectedly, as I am accustomed to Fedora transport with more moderen releases than Ubuntu.

Utility set up

That is the place Fedora KDE Plasma falls a bit behind Kubuntu. With Fedora KDE Plasma, you will discover some functions accessible in the usual repositories, whereas others are solely accessible through COPR, a repository that comprises user-created/maintained apps.

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On the identical time, Fedora makes use of Flatpak over Snap, however you do need to allow Flathub inside KDE Uncover earlier than you’ll be able to set up Flatpak apps through the GUI.

Lastly, as I discussed earlier, generally Fedora updates go the best way of Home windows and require a reboot (even when the kernel is not upgraded). For me, that is type of a deal breaker.

Is Fedora KDE Plasma best for you?

If you need a KDE Plasma-based distribution that is barely sooner than Kubuntu, shrugs off Snap packages for Flatpak, makes use of the DNF package deal supervisor, and provides you a bit extra fashionable tackle the look of KDE Plasma out of the field, then Fedora KDE Plasma is the distribution for you.

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Truthfully, each of those distributions are excellent, and each ship with KDE Plasma 6.5.4. If I am pressured to suggest one over the opposite, I would say this: Should you’re new to Linux, go together with Kubuntu. In case you have even a modicum of Linux expertise, go together with Fedora KDE Plasma.