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My Comparison of GNOME vs KDE Plasma (retrolemmy.com)

submitted 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) by Die4Ever@retrolemmy.com to c/linux@programming.dev

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I recently installed Ubuntu on my main desktop, finally switching away from Windows 10! I'm not a complete Linux newb, but most of my Linux time has been on servers via SSH.

I ran apt install kubuntu-desktop^ so I've been trying out both the default Ubuntu GNOME, and Kubuntu's KDE Plasma 6.4.5 (sorry I don't have the new 6.5 yet, maybe I'll revisit once I get that). I'm still using gdm3 as my display manager, I haven't tried any others. As for the included apps, I've been enjoying some mix-and-matching. If you just want KDE Plasma you're probably better off installing a different distro like Bazzite or Kubuntu or something. Here's my thoughts after a few days.

Desktop

I'm really enjoying the KDE Plasma desktop more, with a slightly customized taskbar. I don't like how GNOME has a permanent top bar. It's really cool that the login screen lets me choose between GNOME and KDE Plasma.

System Settings

This one really depends on the user. KDE's settings are expansive, you really need to make use of the search. GNOME's settings window is clean and simple, GNOME is generally much better for non-technical people and I'll be keeping my dad on GNOME, and eventually my mom too. Weird issue though, GNOME's settings didn't have my S/PDIF audio as an output that I could select, I needed to use the KDE settings to choose my audio output. Once I did that, my audio still worked even switching back to GNOME.

KDE Partition Manager vs Disks

Disks looks better and I think it does everything the KDE one does? Maybe Gparted is better than both anyways?

Discover vs App Center

Discover makes it easier to see if an app is available as a Snap package or just a .deb package, which is nice if you want to avoid Snaps.

Dolphin vs Files:

Files is the winner for me currently, it just looks cleaner. And a small thing but when you make a copy of a file in the same folder, Dolphin will ask what to name it, and Files will just append a number which is great when I just quickly want to make a copy.

GNOME System Monitor vs System Monitor

The GNOME one is nice, I don't usually need more than that. The KDE one is good once you customize it, but I don't think the defaults are good. GNOME has no way to show GPU utilization, so that's a win for the KDE monitor.

KCalc vs Calculator

I didn't see a way to make KCalc do digit grouping (the commas in 1,000,000), so Calculator was the winner for me.

Konsole vs Terminal

I have no opinion here lol, both seem the same to me.

Disk Usage Analyzer

I think this is from GNOME, doesn't seem like KDE has a similar one or at least it wasn't included in kubuntu-desktop. It's really good, reminds me of WizTree for Windows. Better than running du -h / | sort -h

Haruna

Seems like a pretty good video player. I remember VLC having super slow startup times when I installed it via Snap and I had to install it via apt instead. But Haruna seems good enough anyways. I can't remember what GNOME uses as a default video player.

Emoji Selector

KDE Plasma has this emoji selector that's kinda like Windows, you hit Super+. (Windows key and period) to open it, you can search for emojis and it copies them to your clipboard. Not as convenient as Windows, but I don't think GNOME has anything similar to this so it's a winner.

Clipboard History

In KDE you can hit Super+v (Windows key and v) and it'll open your clipboard history like in Windows. I don't think GNOME has something like this.

Anyone else running a mix of both like me? Or have you installed individual programs from each instead of the full desktop? Which pieces do you favor of each? I'm looking forwards to getting lots of comments correcting everything I said 🤣 (yes I used KDE's Emoji Selector here)

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[–] asudox@lemmy.asudox.dev 11 points 2 days ago

KDE does have a disk usage utility. It's called Filelight

[–] NauticalNoodle@lemmy.ml 13 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (2 children)

"Files" is also known as "Nautilus" and even executes as such under the command line. -That said, I find It hard to function without all of the features of Dolphin. I'd pick KDE for that reason -and Kate.

[–] sbeak@sopuli.xyz 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Is it just a coincidence that the default file managers for GNOME and KDE are both ocean-themed?

[–] BCsven@lemmy.ca 2 points 17 hours ago

Was this to separate them from the idea of the cloud?

[–] Die4Ever@retrolemmy.com 3 points 2 days ago (2 children)

which features of Dolphin do you like? I haven't tried anything too crazy with either one

[–] NauticalNoodle@lemmy.ml 3 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

file previews, a change to the right click context menu with plugins, and then the window layout i have arranged with a konsole panel at the bottom. Their's also tabs, and the samba directories in the directory pane on the left. -That last part may be in nautilus also, i'm not sure.

[–] optissima@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I haven't tried Nautilus in a while, but Dolphins plugins and split views are wonderful (Nautilus didnt have them last I looked)

[–] Die4Ever@retrolemmy.com 1 points 2 days ago

Yeah I don't think Nautilus has those

[–] EchoCranium@lemmy.zip 6 points 2 days ago

I ran both a few months back, but preferred KDE for the ability to easily edit the desktop and add widgets.

[–] DaddleDew@lemmy.world 8 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

I prefer KDE because I spend an hour getting evening just right for my tastes after a fresh install. Klassy is the cherry on top where I make the window shadows white so it looks like underglow behind the windows against the dark desktop theme.

Also, most of those GNOME apps can be installed in a KDE desktop if you prefer them. I agree that Disks is better, so I just installed it.

[–] Dave@lemmy.nz 8 points 3 days ago (2 children)

Just to clarify, are you using the Ubuntu Gnome desktop or the normal, vanilla Gnome?

I don’t like how GNOME has a permanent top bar

I don't like how KDE (by default) has a permanent bottom bar twice as tall 😅

KDE Plasma has this emoji selector that’s kinda like Windows, you hit Super+. (Windows key and period) to open it, you can search for emojis and it copies them to your clipboard. Not as convenient as Windows, but I don’t think GNOME has anything similar to this so it’s a winner.

Gnomes search includes emojis, so just hit super and type 'cat' then it's there in the search results 🐈

In KDE you can hit Super+v (Windows key and v) and it’ll open your clipboard history like in Windows. I don’t think GNOME has something like this.

Gnome has extensions, I highly recommend having a look through the options!

[–] Die4Ever@retrolemmy.com 5 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Just to clarify, are you using the Ubuntu Gnome desktop or the normal, vanilla Gnome?

Ubuntu's default

I don’t like how KDE (by default) has a permanent bottom bar twice as tall 😅

I changed it immediately lol

Gnomes search includes emojis, so just hit super and type ‘cat’ then it’s there in the search results 🐈

Ok yea this is good

I haven't looked into GNOME extensions yet

[–] Dave@lemmy.nz 5 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Ah I'm not that big of a fan of Ubuntu's gnome, I prefer the vanilla one, though based on your preferences I don't think it would change your preferences.

[–] Die4Ever@retrolemmy.com 3 points 3 days ago (1 children)

interesting, what's different?

[–] Dave@lemmy.nz 3 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

I don't think it's anything you can't change. By default, Ubuntu has some side bar dock thing. Vanilla Gnome has nothing except the minimal top bar. You open the application overview (press super) to access everything, the dock, all your windows, other desktops, search, etc. I have this as a hot (move mouse to top left) but use super a lot as well.

Other than that, it's just fonts and icons and things. Some difference in default applications. But that side bar dock thing is the most obvious difference. Apparently Ubuntu has a bunch of Gnome extensions installed by default too.

Edit: There's a comparison here: https://help.ubuntu.com/stable/ubuntu-help/gnome-on-ubuntu.html.en

[–] DmMacniel@feddit.org 4 points 2 days ago

One thing that GNOME Disks has over KPartitionManager is the very easy way of making partition images and restoring them (read writing an iso to an usb stick)

If only GNOME would be as customizable as KDE when it comes to looks. You either get dark adwaita or light adwaita, thats not good enough. I want colour!

[–] muhyb@programming.dev 7 points 3 days ago (2 children)

While currently using KDE out of laziness, I prefer using a standalone window manager (current favourite is river). It's all about personal preferences. If you don't like a DE in its entirety, you make yourself one. :)

I think Gnome Disks has the best GUI for managing disks.

Even though my favourite file manager is Thunar, Dolphin has the best customization options.

btop is the bestest system monitor for me.

For calculator, I would suggest to try galculator.

Once you get used to terminals, you'll have your preferences. I like foot. For most people, default ones suffice.

The simplest yet best disk usage analyzer is gdu / in my opinion.

The best video player is mkv. I have my own configs, so it's even better for me.

Have no opinion over emoji selector or clipboard history. :)

Even on KDE, I still use fuzzel instead of KDE's menu or Krunner though.

[–] Die4Ever@retrolemmy.com 4 points 3 days ago (2 children)

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll check these out! The terminal I've used most is PuTTY by far lol, so I haven't figured out a favorite yet

[–] stewie410@programming.dev 3 points 2 days ago

PuTTY

If you find yourself back on Windows, 10 & 11 both come with openssh natively. Combining that with WSL even gets you X11 Forwarding, if that's a useful feature.

[–] muhyb@programming.dev 2 points 2 days ago

No problem! One of the strongest aspects of Linux is, there are too many tools to choose. There is no best one, but there is a best one for you out there. So it's always good to try out tools people suggest, until you settle on one of them.

[–] curbstickle@anarchist.nexus 4 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

btop is the bestest system monitor for me.

Maybe I got too complacent with htop... btop is purrrrdy.

Thanks!

Edit: OK yeah, btop is my new favorite. Still atop if I want history it looks like, but I can do everything I like about htop in btop so far.

And it looks real nice too

[–] muhyb@programming.dev 2 points 2 days ago

I also suggest to check out btop's options. There are many built-in themes and some customization options.

[–] FailBetter@crust.piefed.social 4 points 3 days ago (1 children)

What's your general conclusion? Or do you like both equally?

[–] Die4Ever@retrolemmy.com 3 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

I'm using a mix, mostly KDE Plasma but a few of the apps from GNOME (such as the Files app). For my dad he's gonna stay on GNOME for sure, it should be a bit simpler for him and he hasn't had any complaints, he's been on it for a month or so. One day we'll need to try to convince my mom to give Linux a shot lol.

If I had to pick myself without being able to mix, I'd choose Plasma

[–] FailBetter@crust.piefed.social 5 points 3 days ago (1 children)

She'll want hannahmontana linux for sure :D

[–] C8r9VwDUTeY3ZufQRYvq@sopuli.xyz 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

GOAT_OS? Absolutely!

[–] FailBetter@crust.piefed.social 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

why is your name so long and random?

[–] C8r9VwDUTeY3ZufQRYvq@sopuli.xyz 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

My parents used a password generator.

[–] FailBetter@crust.piefed.social 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I'm guessing they don't prefer ambiguous characters too?

[–] C8r9VwDUTeY3ZufQRYvq@sopuli.xyz 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

That's exactly right! And the government wouldn't accept special characters, so they had to stick to alphanumeric.

[–] FailBetter@crust.piefed.social 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

passwords with ambiguous characters are technically more secure(via obscurity) right? Not even throwing shade on the government's bad practices here

[–] C8r9VwDUTeY3ZufQRYvq@sopuli.xyz 1 points 2 days ago

Yes I assume so. And if they're using a password manager anyway, it makes more sense to use them than not. I'll tell them to check their settings so that any future children can be more secure. Thanks 😊

[–] 30p87@feddit.org 3 points 3 days ago (2 children)

I use sway and replace everything mentioned above with a terminal

[–] FailBetter@crust.piefed.social 5 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

same terminal for everything? and which one(s)?

[–] 30p87@feddit.org 3 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Foot as terminal, bash as shell

[–] FailBetter@crust.piefed.social 5 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

ohhh, foot you say? Very cool, must be new if I never heard of it--many thanks friend!
Why bash over fish or zsh? Last questions I swaer

[–] 30p87@feddit.org 1 points 2 days ago

well, foot is wayland-focused and not common in DE due to being mostly config file driven without UI for settings.

I learned bash first, and simply don't like stuff like the tab-completion approaches etc. by other shells.

[–] Die4Ever@retrolemmy.com 4 points 3 days ago

I haven't tried that but it seems cool! I try to spend more time in GUI than terminal lol

[–] just_another_person@lemmy.world 0 points 2 days ago (3 children)

Everyone misses the point of Gnome's UX, which is to abstract away the mouse as much as possible for desktop interaction. Everything is made to launch by touch or keyboard, gestures are a first-class UX decision, and menus are intentionally meant to be minimal to be out of the way.

KDE is sort of the antithesis to this in a whole number of ways. One of the worst things I think MS every made was that horrible Ribbon bar thing, and KDE ran with it. That alone makes me not want to use it.

[–] baduhai@sopuli.xyz 2 points 1 day ago

KDE has 0 ribbon ui, what are you taking about?

[–] theoriginalcows@lemmings.world -2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Why did Gnome devs do a half-assed job? They gimped their DE so it would work better on phones/tablets, then failed to actually port it to phones and tablets.

They're a bunch of morons.

[–] just_another_person@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

That's...not even accurate, what in the world 🤣

[–] optissima@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

What ribbon bar thing? Which part of the UX?