Kubuntu and Ubuntu Budgie are both official Ubuntu flavors, offering distinct desktop environments. This page breaks down their differences to help you choose the right one for your needs.
Comfortable KDE Experience
Slick & Simple
TL;DR: Pick Kubuntu for a customizable KDE experience. Choose Ubuntu Budgie for a lightweight and simple desktop.
How they stack up across key categories.
Kubuntu's KDE desktop provides a familiar experience for users transitioning from other operating systems, with a focus on customization.
Ubuntu Budgie offers a clean and straightforward interface that is easy to navigate, making it ideal for beginners.
Kubuntu's KDE Plasma is modern and visually appealing, offering a highly customizable desktop experience.
Ubuntu Budgie provides a slick and minimalist desktop environment that emphasizes simplicity.
Kubuntu benefits from Ubuntu's stable base, ensuring reliable performance and regular updates.
Ubuntu Budgie also inherits Ubuntu's stability, providing a solid and dependable system.
Kubuntu offers regular updates aligned with Ubuntu's release cycle, including both LTS and interim releases.
Ubuntu Budgie follows the same update schedule as Ubuntu, providing consistent updates and security patches.
With access to the Ubuntu repositories, Kubuntu users can easily install a wide range of software packages.
Ubuntu Budgie users also benefit from Ubuntu's extensive software repositories, ensuring compatibility with numerous applications.
Kubuntu respects user privacy and does not include data collection tools by default.
Ubuntu Budgie maintains a similar stance on privacy, with a focus on protecting user data.
Kubuntu has a well-established community and extensive documentation accessible through Ubuntu and KDE resources.
Ubuntu Budgie's community is growing, with increasing resources and documentation available for users.
Kubuntu supports gaming with KDE's integration and access to Steam and other platforms.
Ubuntu Budgie is also compatible with gaming platforms, leveraging Ubuntu's strong support for gaming.
Quick recommendations for common scenarios.
Pick: Kubuntu
Kubuntu's KDE desktop provides a familiar and customizable experience for former Windows users.
Pick: Either
Both distros are based on Ubuntu, making them equally suitable for following tutorials and guides.
Pick: Ubuntu Budgie
Ubuntu Budgie's lightweight nature makes it ideal for older or low-spec hardware.
Pick: Either
Both distros offer good support for gaming, leveraging Ubuntu's compatibility with gaming platforms.
Pick: Kubuntu
Kubuntu's customizable environment is ideal for professional users needing a tailored workspace.
Pick: Ubuntu Budgie
Ubuntu Budgie provides a simple, straightforward desktop experience perfect for daily use.
Quick answers to common questions.
Both Kubuntu and Ubuntu Budgie are official flavors of Ubuntu, each offering a different desktop environment while sharing the same underlying base.
Ubuntu Budgie is often considered more beginner-friendly due to its simpler interface, whereas Kubuntu offers more customization that may require a learning curve.
Ubuntu Budgie tends to be more lightweight and faster on older hardware, while Kubuntu provides more features at the cost of being slightly more resource-intensive.
Yes, both Kubuntu and Ubuntu Budgie offer live USB options that allow you to test the operating systems without making changes to your computer.
Both distros have access to the same Ubuntu repositories, ensuring similar software compatibility and availability.
Both distros inherit Ubuntu's strong hardware support, covering a wide range of devices and peripherals.
Both Kubuntu and Ubuntu Budgie follow Ubuntu's release cycle, offering LTS (Long Term Support) releases every two years and regular interim releases every six months.
Switching between Kubuntu and Ubuntu Budgie is straightforward, as both use the same Ubuntu base. You can install one alongside the other or switch desktop environments easily.
Generate a clean "vs" page for any two distros.
