The KDE Plasma desktop is great, but most Linux distros default to GNOME instead.
Why don’t more go all-in on KDE?
Turns out, the reasons are mostly technical.
KDE Has a Massive Codebase
KDE consists of many parts.
There’s the Plasma desktop environment.
There are various libraries and frameworks that operate in the background.
And there are hundreds of apps.
But it’s not just the amount of code.
Each of these components has evolved over the course of years.
They’ve picked up the complexity that can make them more challenging for people to wrap their heads around.
GNOME isn’t merely a simpler user experience, it’s a simpler set of software.
This makes it easier to deploy.
KDE Has a Staggered Release Schedule
Various parts of the core KDE experience launch on a different release cadence.
There’s the KDE Plasma desktop that you interact with.
There’s KDE Frameworks, consisting of background libraries.
Then there’s KDE Gear, consisting of over 120 programs, libraries, and plugins.
Each of these bundles has its own release schedule.
This many moving parts can be challenging for distro maintainers to follow.
If you want to create a distro based on KDE, the release cadence isn’t immediately obvious.
KDE Is Infinitely Configurable
The KDE Plasma desktop is perhaps the most configurable desktop interface.
KDE’s configurability doesn’t apply only to the desktop.
Many KDE apps are similarly tweakable, with lengthy menus and plenty of options.
When issues arise, this configurability makes it hard for developers and support teams alike to replicate the experience.
KDE Software Is More Complex
Open up the System controls app on KDE Plasma.
The options are seemingly endless.
There are categories of options that sound similar.
It can be difficult to find the specific setting you’re looking for without turning to the search bar.
Most KDE software is like this: from the desktop environment and file manager to the text editor.
Many have their own long list of preferences.
you’ve got the option to even spend quite a bit of timeconfiguring KDE’s default terminal.
KDE Has More Bugs
As a result of this configurability and complexity, KDE has more bugs.
This requires extra code to make it all work, which provides more opportunities for bugs to creep in.
Multimonitor support is simply easier to implement in other desktop environments.
KDE Isn’t as Polished or Consistent
The end result is an experience that doesn’t feel as polished.
All the components are in place to create a professional, quality experience.
And as configurable as KDE is, some issues you’ve got the option to’t easily address.
There are many inconsistencies throughout the various apps.
Some apps use a menu bar.
Others use a hamburger menu button.
Some issues you have to look closely to see.
Scrollbars with different amounts of padding.
you’re free to’t fix these things without becoming a developer and learning how to read the code.
These types of issues aren’t bugs.
It involves deferring some decisions to designers and going with their recommendations.
And it necessitates having developers who can make the changes.
The KDE community faces all three challenges.
Does This Mean KDE Isn’t a Good Default?
There are developments that may make KDE more appealing to ship.
Consider how Valve’s KDE-based desktop for the Steam Deck has read-only system files, like Fedora Silverblue.
Valve’s choice of Flatpak also makes sure you get the latest apps.
Valve isn’t alone.
TUXEDO Computers utilizes KDE Plasma on its machines.
Some companies do choose to go with KDE over the alternatives, but they’re just in the minority.
But there is ample reason to believe that the future is bright for KDE.
