KDE Plasma
Plasma is a cross-device work environment by the KDE Community where trust is put on the user's capacity to best define their own workflow and preferences.
Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Application types
EUPlatforms
- Linux
- BSD
- KDE Plasma
- postmarketOS
Features
Properties
- Customizable
- Lightweight
- Privacy focused
Features
- Desktop Environment
- Themes
- Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
- Transparency
- Blurry transparency
- Dark Mode
- No Tracking
- Ad-free
- Support for Multiple Monitors
- Full-Text Search
- No registration required
- Support for scripting
- Support for Hot corners
- Optimized for Fastboot mode
- Works Offline
KDE Plasma News & Activities
Recent News
- Fla published news article about AerynOS
AerynOS transitions to Zulip, updates ISO with latest desktop stacksAerynOS has moved its project chat platform from Matrix to Zulip, aiming to improve contributor com...
- POX published news article about KDE Plasma
KDE Gear 25.12 brings enhancements to Itinerary, Dolphin, Kate, Photos and other KDE appsKDE Gear 25.12 is now available, introducing a series of new features and improvements across the K...
- Fla published news article about Ultramarine Linux
Ultramarine 43 recommends Plasma, updates Raspberry Pi and adds Readymade previewUltramarine 43 retires the Flagship Budgie label, though Budgie remains available, and introduces K...
Recent activities
- nu1iess3 rated KDE Plasma
POX added KDE Plasma as alternative to Noctalia
Featured in Lists
Spoiler: I've switched to Linux for my main computer.
A list with 69 apps by willwm without a description.
Software I try and use for daily use
What is KDE Plasma?
Plasma is the KDE workspace. Actually it is a technology that can adapt to many types of devices. Currently there are two varieties of Plasma: The Plasma Desktop environment which is the focus of the majority of our pages and Plasma Mobile, the new cool environment for pads and smartphones.
An important part of Plasma are the "widgets". Widgets are the individual units of the desktop and they include (although they are not limited to) the application menu, icons, the system tray, the clock, etc. Widgets can exist on the desktop itself, or be inserted into the panel, on the screen saver or on the dashboard among other places. Widgets exist for a large number of tasks besides usual desktop helpers, including microblogging (Twitter, identi.ca), unit conversion calculators, weather forecasts, file sharing and much more. Panels and desktops are also special kinds of widgets themselves, meant to contain other widgets.
KDE Plasma Videos
KDE Plasma information
Developed by
KDE Licensing
Open Source and Free product.Rating
Average rating of 4.7Alternatives
30 alternatives listedNews
23 news article related to KDE PlasmaSupported Languages
- English
Comments and Reviews
I tried first time Linux a year ago. My first Linux (except of Android) was Ubuntu with Unity, I think this was v. 14... Yeah, my first Desktop Environment was been Unity... I removed Ubuntu on the same day. :D
Than I tried a Debian just servers for a long time. The time Linux Mint 17.02 was been released I tried my second Desktop Environment (Cinnamon). Cinnamon looks very nice, it really is easier for ex-win users. But Cinnamon used 15% of my CPU and in addition it was really buggy.( I mean it crashes for me every 2h.)
Than I tried out MATE. I wonder it look's so strange like Win2 winNT (never tried on of these). But MATE is working very well, and it is stable. Just I want something what isn't really hungry for resources AND looks good.
Yesterday I bump into KDE. Installed the 300 MB on my Linux Mint 17.3 and "WOW". It do not look like a Tablet like Unity, don't overheat my CPU like Cinnamon and is looks modern. I really want to know why you don't setup the feature for the Desktop Folder to default. Also why some windows looks the same like MATE.
Now my experience to these DE's. Unity: This DE is for Tablet's and 100% not for PC (and totally not for a gaming computer) MATE: Really powersaving, light DE, best for "Pentium 4". Cinnamon: This DE is a developing, and I think it will take time until it is really stable. KDE: It is really nice, but there is everywhere Add for KDE. I mean you just installed it and see everywhere a dammed letter "k". The most standart software is also different, you hasn't thunderbird like in every ether version of Linux Mint, no you have K-Mail.
Really recommend all of the desktop environments! Choose yourself, support Freedom!
[Edited by Translator5, January 24]
Multi monitor support sucks.
If you want to mirror a panel with your open windows and pinned launchers… well, that's not possible. You can't even copy it. You have to recreate it manually from scratch for every screen/display.
Very powerful, but a bit boastful. Just like Gnome it comes with a lot of "bloatware" which they assume are the best pieces of software. In some cases they are, in some they aren't. Leave that up to the users, or create a minimal plasma install.
Not without the occasional bugs either.
Anyway, to not sound overly negative, it is infinitely better than any Microsoft product, and makes computers fun.
Features and usability is good, but on a Debian stable version, i am having too often issues with kwin crashes causing freezes + other graphical issues with some app windows. I want to use different DE. I am significantly disappointed with the stability of KDE on a stable version of major Linux distribution Debian.
KDE Plasma is an incredible take on the traditional desktop metaphor. It is at once lightweight, feature-complete, and aesthetically pleasing. What's more, it is arguably the most customizable and flexible desktop environment I have come across. Add to that its solid integration with modern technologies, quality of life features like external device battery monitoring, and the vast KDE ecosystem, and it's really hard to beat it.
The best Desktop Environment known to man, especially if you like to customise your experience, but it can also be used as-is.
Awesome DE, Never switching.