What are the best Linux distributions for KDE Plasma 5?
John Hall
Updated on February 20, 2026
What are the best Linux distributions for KDE Plasma 5?
This review takes a deep dive into some of the Best Linux distros that can support KDE Plasma 5.
- Manjaro KDE. Manjaro is available for download in 3 Desktop editions: GNOME, XFCE, and KDE Plasma.
- Kubuntu.
- KDE Neon.
- OpenSUSE Tumbleweed.
- KaOS 2020.07.
- NetRunner.
Which Linux distro comes with KDE Plasma?
Distributions with Plasma and KDE Applications
- Kubuntu. Kubuntu is the Ubuntu version with KDE software by default.
- openSUSE. openSUSE comes in two versions.
- KDE Neon.
- Alt Workstation K.
- Fedora KDE.
- Manjaro KDE.
- ROSA.
What is the oldest Linux distro?
Slackware
Slackware. Slackware is the oldest Linux Distribution still in use. Slackware is highly technical and not a good choice for new or novice users.
Does Debian come with KDE?
You can install KDE Plasma and its default set of applications in Debian, even after the initial system installation, by installing the KDE Plasma Desktop “task”. Installing it will consequentially install all of those.
Is KDE faster than GNOME?
It’s worth it to try KDE Plasma rather than GNOME. It’s lighter and faster than GNOME by a fair margin, and it’s far more customizable. GNOME is great for your OS X convert who isn’t used to anything being customizable, but KDE is an utter delight for everyone else.
Is Slackware faster than Debian?
In my mind it bridges the gap between Slackware and . This is a good thing; Debian is powerful, but has a cohesive package management system. Plus, Debian packages come out faster than Slackware packages (or so it seems to me).
Is KDE Neon based on Ubuntu?
KDE neon is a Linux distribution developed by KDE based on the most recent Ubuntu long-term support (LTS) release, bundled with a set of additional software repositories containing the latest 64-bit versions of the Plasma 5 desktop environment/framework, Qt 5 toolkit and other compatible KDE software.
How do I start KDE Plasma in Debian?
On Debian 10/9, select the Debian Desktop Environment and KDE [Plasma] as shown below. Once the installation is done, reboot your system. When the system reboots, select Plasma as the Desktop session. Next, login with your user password and you should land on KDE Plasma Desktop.