GNOME has a highly customizable user interface and has made it possible to mimic other desktop environments such as Windows or Mac OS; For this reason, it is the best option for Windows users because they can enjoy the same Microsoft Office programs and experience a desktop environment similar to Windows. Well, we come to the main question mark: GNOME vs KDE. I switch to KDE once in a blue moon when I read about its new features and find some features interesting. Eclipse vs Netbeans: Which Java IDE is better? If you are comfortable going off the LTS path and use Ubuntu 20.10 it's worth a try before switching KDE. Similarly, Linux users who like to change the appearance of the window, play with animations, switch icon styles, etc will love KDE. KDE also supports various useful widgets and extensions; for example, one of its powerful tools is KDE Connect, which allows you to connect your mobile phone to your computer. KDE groups windows of various applications in the workspace in which the application was opened. 2. The themes are very basic, the music system is not good, contacts do not have contact groups, and many other notable issues. Therefore, GNOME programs are more minimalistic, focused on doing one task, and as intuitive and specialized as possible. Rocky Linux 9.1 Released, Introduces Keylime Tool, How to Install Raspberry Pi OS on Raspberry Pi: A Complete Guide, First Look at the Upcoming Fedora Web-Based Installer, How to Add a User in Linux [With Examples], Restic Backup and Restore Data on Linux with Examples. Both have similar features but with few differences. In addition to menu-based navigation, KDE versions from 4.0 onward uses Krunner to provide universal search functionality. People expect that computers have menus because theyve grown that habit. When you click the link and buy the product or service, Ill receive a commission. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. It can display desktop icons in rows or columns. While KDE first attempted to follow the design model imposed by Windows on the organization and handling of the work environment, things now seem to have turned around. GNOME is a stable desktop environment. As a result of this transition, the MATE Desktop Environment emerged, which to this day maintains the legacy of the familiar user interface from GNOME versions 1 and 2. The Dock features a list of active applications and the apps youve marked as favorite. In the case of GNOME, it must be admitted that compared to KDE, it is less flexible in terms of applying settings. Without a doubt, KDE is the most reasonable option that has a very favorable effect on the efficiency of your workflow. The Ultimate Guide to WordPress Maintenance for Beginners, Ultimate Guide to Creating Redirects in WordPress. Sadly the ROX desktop seems to be supported no longer. Let us now turn our gaze to GNOME. Also, if needed, we can hide all the applications and can view only those that are needed in the desktop. KDE community started in October 1996. If needed, we can use GNOME tweak as well that helps in managing all the extensions. UAE: No 57, Al Maktoum Street, Al Rigga Area, Dubai. KDEs focus on configurability and versatility comes with more complexity relative to GNOME. As a result, the working environment familiar to GNOME 1 and GNOME 2 users was significantly altered in the GNOME 3 version. GNOME (GNU Network Object Model Environment) is a desktop environmenta graphical user interface that runs on top of a computer operating systemcomposed entirely of free and open source software. Extensions can be easily installed in GNOME with a GNOME webpage where all the extensions are available. KDE Plasma is ranked 1st while GNOME is ranked 2nd. a close friend of mine, an avid user of Windows with zero experience with Linux, to visit me at home () Nautilus is the file manager of the GNOME desktop environment. Below, I have shared various differences between the two desktop environments. Most Linux distributions not only support both GNOME and KDE but also allow users to set either as their default. (of course this is nothing to do with the whole performance question . KDE is good, the file engine is better. Mate KDE and GNOME ship with various utility apps. Whether you agree or disagree with the above arguments, I want to thank you sincerely for being here and taking the time to read this article. Its all about expectations. Xfce Gnome hasnt a menu because it is not designed to be operated like that. GNOME supports various software by default. I think the argument that gnome is resource heavy is a little misleading. In the GNOME environment, you must install and use the Tweak Tool program to create basic settings, such as changing the system font. K Desktop Environment or KDE is the central development hub for Linux operating systems that helps in developing software and helps in collaborating with other tools to make the software available to the community. It has more transitions and animations, and the shell is just generally more bloated. The differences between GNOME and KDE are substantial these days. And finally, if youre an experienced Linux user, youre probably aware of all of the above mentioned and have already chosen the desktop environment thats best for you. GNOME is an abbreviation of GNU Network Object Model Environment, which is one of the most popular and beginner graphical user interfaces (GUI) in the Linux world. In some distros, you can choose what apps you want the installer to install. 3) RISC OS uses drag and drop between windows (copy left, move right); an invisible clipboard is a clumsy alternative. In stock configs, some games will perform better in gnome while others in kde, but the differences will still be negligible. KDE is lighter than gnome. The applications specific to GNOME have SDKs and add-ons to enable it to work in any environment. Compared to other graphical user interfaces of desktop operating systems, KDE Plasma is the most flexible and customizable option for making changes to the settings of the appearance aspects of the desktop. Defaults matter and for Ubuntu, arguably the most popular Linux distribution for desktops, the default is Unity and GNOME. My answer, neither. Next up is a look at the NVIDIA Wayland vs. X.Org gaming performance. I love the design of Gnome a lot but I notice that Gnome becomes more and more buggier and removes more features over time while KDE stays stable and gets more features. It has two new programs, a text editor and an auto-save console for the text editor. On the other hand, if you just want a working out of the box desktop environment where you dont have to think, for example, Am I OK with a 150 ms reaction time delay for reaching the mouse to the corners of the desktop, or should I increase it to 200 ms? then KDE is probably not the way to go. It displays only the icons of the applications. Its initial color scheme favors blue and grey. On the other hand, the environment similar to Windows for users who are more active with the mobile environment sometimes seems complicated, and they prefer GNOME, which has a design language close to the mobile environment, and are interested in having available system settings because GNOME There is a lot of emphasis on high computer accessibility for users. Unfortunately, in some of the game tests though the performance under KDE Plasma Wayland had dipped compared to the X.Org session or the GNOME results. When KDE first came out, it was great. But since both of them are among the most popular Linux user interfaces, to use them on the server, you should first buy a Linux VPS and then carefully check these two user interfaces from different aspects and make the best choice according to your needs and goals. gnome is good looking (so as kde) but it's heavy, sluggish, less customizable compared to kde, yes you can add extensions but they will make it heavier. Next, we will describe the unique features of the GNOME desktop environment. In response to the question, is KDE easier to use or GNOME? A capable team of developers develops both desktop environments, and both receive constant bug fixes and improvements. As a result, not everyone was happy with KDE. GNOME and KDE are excellent choices. On the other hand, youll want to taste the vanilla GNOME experience and enhance it with all the capabilities you require at some point on your Linux journey. For example, the user interface in GNOME does not have a start/app/menu button, and if you want to access the menu of programs or workspaces, the Activity Overview option will get you what you want. Linux, FreeBSD, Microsoft Windows, Solaris, and Mac OS. It is useful to be able to continue inputting text into a window you may not be able to see, because reading information from other windows may have over-riding priority. But let me use an example to demonstrate what I mean. Users (mostly desktop users) are Layout, icons, themes, widgets, and other graphical user interface elements are all part of the user interface. Especially in the use of Linux distributions, even though users benefit from the same operating system, they can have different experiences in using the desktop environments of Linux distributions because the Linux operating system, unlike Windows, provides desktop environments with different methods that allow users to benefit from separate and independent work environments. I think its mostly up to personal preferences, unless you need a very specific feature. An integrated desktop environment helps users to work easily. GNOME has an Object Request Broker (ORB) compatible with COMORB (CORBA) that allows you to use GNOME applications on your operating system (Windows). kde use the same ram as xfce (kinda) which is very light, my usage with kde is 600 mb ram used when idle on contrary to the 1,2 gb with gnome. As I see it, the problem that most people have with Gnome is that they insist on using it like other desktop environments, instead of using it the way it is designed to be used. Mostly its installing some packages or unpacking some archive to a themes folder and using selecting the new theme in e.g. But experienced users prefer one over the year for either usability, performance, design or customizability considerations. Defaults aside, both GNOME and KDE are supported by popular GNU/Linux and BSD distributions. Different themes are also available. gnome/kde apps use gtk/qt toolkits respectively, but not the other way around. shell uses a measly 100mb on my Pinebook Pro. This feature can be important for performing several tasks per unit of time or for basic and complex configurations. The average computer user will find everything they are used to and expect from a desktop environment in KDE. The Panel features a system tray that shows network status, clipboard icon, and icons of applications minimized to the system tray. Naturally, the performance of KDE and GNOME will have a direct relationship with the hardware you install, and if you have used modern hardware, you will see a smooth and favorable performance. There have been several major updates to GNOME. For a range of reasons, these two desktop environments are the most popular in the Linux world, and before we go any further, well provide our readers with a quick historical overview. . For example, it offers apps like the more comprehensive video editor Kdenlive and the photo management software digiKam, which has an advanced platform, and Krita KDE, which is a helpful tool for users new to the Linux world. Required fields are marked *. KDE focuses on configurability and an attractive graphical user interface. 6. cuttyboidistributors 2 yr. ago. Bikes have 2 wheels ( tires ) Cars have 4 wheels ( tires ) !! My KDE Neon rig, running Plasma 5.13, reports close to half the resource co. On the other hand, KDEs development cycle is suited for bigger, sweeping changes, such as the major design overhaul implemented between versions 3 and 4. The community is strong for both GNOME and KDE that helps users in different ways. If you want a wheel then you simply shouldnt be riding a bike. Also, to access the extensions, it offers its users the Discover software, which creates a unified experience for the users, and they no longer need to refer to a separate collection and get the extension through the browser; users can directly access additional themes and or download a capability from the KDE software center. This includes a taskbar with an intuitive start menu, a dock with the currently used apps, a system tray area, windows with minimize, maximize, close functionalities, etc. As a result, developers are trying to add and test this feature through the Orca Screen Reader program and other audio/visual desktops, but in KDE Plasma 5.24, there are still weaknesses in the screen reader field. On the other hand, Gnome, like web browsers, has various extensions that make changes in the desktops performance; that is, the user must use extensions to make changes, such as the availability of the Dock or simulating the desktop environment to Windows. Answer (1 of 3): I would have said Gnome, hands down, just a short while ago. Performance. 1) In RISC OS the window with the input focus is not necessarily the one on the top of the window stack. Interestingly, while GNOMEs minimum system requirements are less demanding as far as CPU speed is concerned (700 Mhz, vs KDEs 1 Ghz requirement), KDE actually requires less minimum RAM (615 MB vs GNOMEs 768 MB). This comparison is a wiki. To seem different. In this article, we compared KDE with GNOME. And it suit better for use with pc and another one. This video by Linux Tex will help you decide which one is for you: On default settings, GNOME positions a toolbar at the top and a pop-out dock featuring large application icons on the left side of the screen that appears when the mouse hovers over its location. The new versions havent changed the look and feel of the software that makes users get along with the features. Let's do a simple comparison between KDE and Gnome on Manjaro 18!There's little question that Gnome & KDE are the biggest players in the Linux desktop space.. The GNOME design language is committed to simplicity, and each additional control is costly for developers and end users. GNOME is generally regarded as streamlined and less resource-intensive than KDE. GNOME's settings include 20 categories. Love, life, peace and technology are all for the wise man, Your email address will not be published. The previous releases were rather overwhelming and the appearance rather coarse. Some users are dissatisfied with this approach as they were happy with the Windows appearance. Applications open promptly, and stay snappy, even under load. Of course, each distribution is compatible with different versions of GNOME. Im convinced that you will agree on some points and object to others. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Anyways, I don't know why they still bother to list just popOS. The search feature is advanced. Of course, you could never use these options, but that doesnt change that the desktop environment feels overly complicated. At the same time, KDE programs associated with the desktop environment receive updates faster than the default GNOME software. But dont get me wrong; Im not trying to diminish KDEs flexibility. But this option is not available in GNOME but the basic user experience is good. You wont find things like a start menu, a visible panel, a system tray area, the ability to minimize or maximize windows, or icons on your desktop. For example, GNOME no longer offers users a true minimize option for open panels something that Windows-acclimated users will likely miss while KDE does. By the way, I switched to KDE when PLASMA 5 was developed. However, KDE offers additional features such as Kontact, KDE connect, etc. A variety of reasons have contributed to this status. In general, if you are used to the familiar Windows-style layout, it may take some time to get used to the new interface. Although Qts licensing terms have subsequently been modified, and it now qualifies as free software, many people felt its use at the time was a step backward for software freedom. While I appreciated the others I love the latter. KDE Vs GNOME Vs Xfce; Performance & Speed. Changing the panel position, size, widgets on the panel or desktop, buttons displayed in the application title bar, application icons, fonts, and application names in the application launcher are all possible customizations in the KDE desktop environment. The settings are more detailed that helps the users understand the features of KDE and use it for various purposes. You cant change the position of GNOMEs top bar unless you install an extension or change its configuration file. In the K desktop environment, you can manage files with an application called Dolphin. It is easy to resize the panel and reorganize the applications based on the needs of the users in KDE. But well get to another essential point: do we really need all of this? GNOME from the beginning to the GNOME 2 era, kept a familiar desktop layout like you might have found with Windows releases of that period. It also lets you perform actions on processes. Note: You can access default GNOME applications from the official GNOME site, and to access KDE applications, visit apps.kde.org. Verdict: If you only consider defaults, GNOME 2 is the winner, followed by KDE. Similar to XFCE, KDE doesn't bog your system down by using a lot of resources. Following are the Key differences between GNOME vs KDE are given below: The applications of Linux are compatible with both GNOME and KDE which makes users to choose between these both. That is, practically every feature of the desktop environment may be adapted to meet the specific requirements and preferences. And now Id like to share an intriguing impression. KDE workflow is easy to follow and control. Pressing the Windows/Super key brings up a search bar that allows the user to type in the name of the desired application or file. individually for each user. In terms of performance, KDE Plasma has quick and smooth animations for panels and menus and uses fewer RAM compared to GNOME. GNU Network Object Model Environment or GNOME is a system software in Linux and Unix operating systems that help in setting up the desktop environment and the appearance of the desktop. The tasks are run without a command-line interface that helps the software to work with ease. Note that by updating the GNOME shell versions, plugins and extensions may not work in the new versions, and to download the GNOME extension, you must go to the GNOME shell plugins website. It also displays an option to open the start menu. GNOMEs development structure lends to better implementation of smaller, incremental changes. The GNOME desktop environment receives fewer updates in the year compared to KDE. Both desktop environments offer many features and GUI formats. Pramod has started this site to share honest reviews of WordPress products, hosting, and software. When I went to Ubuntu (when Ryzen processors first came out), I thought Id try KDE again. http://lifehacker.com/5762081/wtf-desktop-environments-gnome-kde-and-more-explained, http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/unityplasma, http://www.renewablepcs.com/about-linux/kde-gnome-or-xfce. Overall, GNOME simplifies things by providing fewer options to choose from. And finally, if you're an experienced Linux user, you're probably aware of all of the above mentioned and have already chosen the desktop environment that's best for you. The new version of GNOME has changed the Windows look and this makes the users shift to other software. The KDE Plasma Wayland session tended to perform slightly in front of its X.Org session as well for these Linux gaming tests but there were a few games still running into problems with the KDE Wayland session. Don't look for XFCE numbers. KDE and GNOME ship with various utility apps. Unless your distro is allowing you to install the LTS release of KDE, things may break if you install update KDE on your laptop/PC. For what purpose? Neither. These goals make it one of the most aesthetically pleasing, consistent, and integrated Linux environments with a high capacity for user customization. If you have a lower spec system, GNOME might not be the right choice . Theres nothing wrong with it; its just stating a fact. But we will highlight that KDE came out as the desktop environment that consumed the fewest system resources instead of GNOME in all of our testing. The left/right buttons offer a convenient duality, so that the right button often does the inverse of the left scrolling in the opposite direction, for example, so no movement of the mouse is needed for changing direction. Every time, I had installed Fedora or Ubuntu in a partition I deleted it just after 2 or 3 weeks. Next was knoppix/kde. The ease of moving from one application to other makes KDE preferable for Linux users. Have an opposite opinion. GNOME resembles Windows in launching the applications and setting up the desktop icons. It is easy to use and on the eye. Running multiple applications without bumping into performance issues is only available in Xfce. The added customizability and Swiss-Army-knife approach also renders KDE a bit more resource-intensive than GNOME, which should be a noteworthy consideration for underpowered workstations. A unified desktop that allows you to perform routine tasks without using the command line. Which is better Web Developer vs Web Tester? I have never faced any issues with it in these two years. In contrast, GNOME, which seeks simplicity and ease of use, is more suited to advanced Linux users who are prepared to face its challenges. Open it with the ksysguard command in the Terminal, or click on the Kickoff Application Launcher and select Applications > System > System Monitor . KDE vs GNOME: Comparison . KDE is a fully integrated desktop environment, even more so than Gnome, so almost all of . Most of the popular offerings feature GNOME as the default (or the only) desktop environment. Only gripe was the default menu, put then found I could change it back to classic feel which I prefer. But if youre open to try a different way to do things you may actually like it. Distros powered by GNOME or KDE come pre-installed with all applications offered by the desktop environment. The KDE desktop environment can be easier for users who are familiar with Windows, and with the facilities it provides, users can customize the desktop environment according to their taste and needs, which is not possible in GNOME. Id appreciate it if you could give your thoughts in the comments section below. It also supports other tools such as Krita, Kdenlive, Kate Editor, Marble (for observing the planet), or KStars (checking the stars). Furthermore, I am confident that these new customization options will keep you engaged for a long time as you hunt for the perfect setup. The overview allows for quick access to and switching between open windows and applications. GNOME has more corporate backing and focus leading to generally less bugs as well but not any game breaking features. In the KDE environment, system indicators are available at the bottom right, application launchers are available at the bottom left, and applications are available in a panel along the bottom. KDE utilizes a dual release schedule that differentiates between major and minor releases; major releases generally take around 5 months from announcement to release, while minor ones take roughly 2 months. KDE offers KMail an alternative to Mozilla Thunderbird, Evolution, etc. KDE lets you add various types of widgets/applets on the desktop. KDE does not support Microsoft exchange servers. I do. After all, the freedom to choose is at the heart of Linux. It gets latest mesa and drivers much later . For this reason, our article will examine the basic differences between KDE and GNOME desktop environments and guide you in choosing the best desktop environment. KDE Plasma and Xfce are two popular desktop environment options for lightweight Linux distributions. KDE stands for K Desktop Environment. The GNOME programming language has a particular focus on accessibility. The customizability is fine. gimp is not a gnome app, it doesn't use the whole gnome framework (settings servers, communication with the task-bar etc.) OperaVPS is an international VPS hosting and Dedicated server provider. For example, sleeper desktop environment has been XFCE as XFCE offers more robustness than LXDE that lacks much of XFCE . Of course it is pointless to compare Linux desktops with something as retro as RISC OS, but nevertheless there are features of RISC OS that I miss. However, the differences begin here, and they are almost entirely positive in sign. This GNOME feature is admirable, but its drawback is that some people get confused and prefer to benefit from the relatively stable environment of KDE. Gnome is just good for the implementation of modern features, but as desktop environment is limitated. So, strange or not, the desktop environment with considerably more sophisticated settings, such as KDE, fits much better for beginning Linux users, in my opinion. GNOME's/KDE's performance deteriorates. Instead, every aspect of the desktop environment has been carefully polished to a gleam. For example, the logic of going to the top left corner of the screen with the mouse and clicking on the Activities menu results in something else at the opposite bottom of the screen, where you have to go back with the mouse to launch the third thing, is beyond my understanding. 2) RISC OS expects a mouse with 3 buttons. You will say. Navigating those options, however, can be challenging and may require a learning curve. Its modular component customizations can help you set up a desktop suitable for multitasking performance. This made them to shift to another application like KDE as KDE has an appearance like Windows and has additional features than GNOME. The GNOME desktop environment is unrivaled in terms of popularity and usage in Linux systems. Because thats what makes Linux so remarkable; the right to make choices and the freedom to follow them and build on them. Despite its simple appearance, its design relies on many functions. practically every feature of the desktop environment may be adapted to meet the specific requirements and preferences installing special plugins known as GNOME extensions, How to Change the GNOME Activities Icon with a Custom One, How to Install Unity Desktop Environment on Arch Linux, LXQt 1.2 Desktop Environment Released, This Is Whats New, Plasma 5.26 Is Here but Dont Expect Too Much from This Release, http://www.gtalbot.org/linux-section/maintenir-votre-Linux-Kubuntu/largeur-barre-defilement.html. The GNOME user interface has been updated to a more modern design and has advanced features for GNOME applications. In GNOME, windows are grouped. GNOME is commonly used as the standard desktop environment on several popular distributions. The applications can be configured easily which makes it easy to develop a new application in the KDE environment. THE CERTIFICATION NAMES ARE THE TRADEMARKS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS. GNOME also behaves nicely by default, but it usually uses more RAM and CPU. KDE is very similar to Windows 7 OS and its earlier versions. Also Kapps suite is excellent. The choice of the desktop environment affects the efficiency and ease of user workflow. It is worth mentioning that the user can get an overview of the activities in GNOME by clicking on the upper left corner of the screen or by pressing the Super key. The possibility of using advanced and additional features effectively facilitates and improves the systems workflow. Its initial color scheme emphasizes dark grey, orange, and purple. I recently invited a close friend of mine, an avid user of Windows with zero experience with Linux, to visit me at home. The first edition of GNOME was first released in 1999. The experience of your friend exemplifies that. KDE Plasma: A graphical desktop environment written in Qt 5 and KDE Frameworks 5 that supports virtual desktops and widgets and has customizable layouts and panels. To choose the most suitable desktop environment for Linux distributions, it is better to check the features of these two popular desktop environments and know their key differences. However, given todays hardware, its unlikely that the end-user will see any difference between the two desktop environments in terms of performance. The desktop interface is simple and easy to access which makes the users search any application. I just like the look and feel of KDE and the options I have, even though I dont do much tinkering. But if you dont want to leave the Windows environment. Other programmers rapidly began creating KDE/Qt-based applications. GNOME features a top bar that displays the date, day, and time at the center and the battery, network, and speaker status at the right side. A top-to-bottom free desktop environment designed for simplicity, accessibility, and ease of internationalization and localization. With bikes and cars your wrong !! RISC OS was designed to minimize use of the keyboard and movements of the hand; perhaps it is not surprising that no Linux desktop has adopted such a heretical aim. On the other hand, on their default settings, KDE offers a more user-friendly environment, especially for those used to Windows as an operating system. If you are new to Linux, especially if you are coming from the Windows environment, I advise sticking with KDE. Similarly, the KDE desktop can hold any number of icons or widgets. Heres my take on it. Also, GNOME doesnt allow users to change the animations, title bar, etc. Know the differences (Useful), High level languages vs Low level languages, CSS3 vs CSS ? You will feel at ease in your environment. The extensions need to be compiled manually and installed in KDE. Cinnamon. At that time, GNOME had a . Well-known for its stability and bug-free system, Excellent community support thanks to a large userbase, Supported by some of the biggest names in the Linux industry, Thousands of extensions are available to change the environment to suit your needs, For new Linux users, its use is difficult to understand, The environments overall behavior deviates from the most logical user habits, It is hard to use for daily work without the use of extensions, Provides a visually appealing modern interface, It uses fewer system resources than GNOME, A good option for users moving from Windows to Linux. That said it is all a personal preference. So, I use weither gnome or kde. At the left of the top bar, youll find an option to see the activities and applications. Therefore, since KDE occupies fewer resources from the system, it can be concluded that it has faster performance than GNOME. The choice of applications is less in KDE but the applications are stable and offer a variety of features. Linux desktop developers should do that often just like you did. If you enjoyed this article consider joining Phoronix Premium to . If you have a lower spec system, GNOME might not be the right choice for you. Due to the fact that the user interface of both is not flawless and comes with features and defects, you may encounter different results in the consumption of system resources. Affiliate Disclosure: This page may have affiliate links. GNOME 3 and Unity can match the performance of the others, but only if you're lucky, so they are tied for third. In the question "What are the best Linux desktop environments with high DPI support for retina displays?". @Grard: I managed to get those scrollbars back by using the Oxygen Application Style. Also, KDE is richer in features, while GNOME is popular among users due to its community support and unique and modern desktop environment. 3 comments though. GNOME began as a project to develop a free and open-source desktop environment and corresponding applications in August 1997. Before (in KDE4), scrollbars were not transient and scrollbar width could be customized. Gnome is heavier on ressources than most desktops in linux. Wheres the menu? The problem is exactly that he expects a menu. Lately, KDE has been on a tear and Plasma runs like a lightweight desktop environment. Unfortunately, looking at the way some GNOME developers speak about what they do (the concept is this and not that, so expect/do this instead of that), shows that they have little understanding of user research (and of research in general). All the important features are present in the system. Choosing the right desktop environment has always been important for users as it significantly affects productivity, ease of work, workflow, and user experience. If youre used to Windows but curious about GNOME, you should consider Linux. Required fields are marked *. Hes 82 and he is not a computer jockey has his rabbit trails to follow Anyway, I always recommend Linux Mint or KUbuntu now when asked what DE to try. 3- This is where the confusion begins, and the first words that appear on the horizon are usually GNOME and KDE. If I change the display server to Wayland, GNOMEs/KDEs performance deteriorates. The features of the KDE desktop environment do not end with these items; we will mention some of the most important ones. GNOME requires 700 to 900 RAM to function smoothly. First, never could get used to Gnome (I kick its wheels every now and then). The middle one brings up a context-menu. It is interesting to know that, fortunately, GNOME and KDE work both on the desktop and the server. Once the DE was updated and I rebooted the laptop, the K Desktop Environment froze each time I entered a few characters in the start menus search box. Ubuntu on the other hand has very likely done some more user research and it shows. By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Beginners prefer KDE but Linux developers will go with GNOME. This concludes our brief history of these two desktop environments and leads us to the main point of this article: GNOME vs. KDE Which Linux desktop environment to choose. Most users always prefer GNOME because of its unique design and aesthetics, and many applications have been developed with the GNOME desktop environment in mind, designed to make working with GNOME easier, for example, the markup editor. Both GNOME and KDE desktop environments are compatible with Linux and can be installed independently. You may also have a look at the following articles to learn more . KDE Plasma is so efficient in this regard that it even surpasses Xfce, a popular and lightweight desktop environment. The KDE System Guard allows you to monitor current system load and processes that are running. When you click Activities, GNOME will display a list of all active applications and the dock. Its just that I think all of those configuration options and desktop effects come in a bit more. Tap the Super key, type the first few letters of the program name, and then press Enter, and the program will run or take you to the currently active window. KDE Frameworks: A set of libraries and software frameworks based on the Qt toolkit, used for developing graphical user interfaces. Well-known distributions shipping both GNOME and KDE include Mint, Debian, FreeBSD, Mageia, Fedora, PCLinuxOS, and Knoppix. Over many years, many people spent a long time with Linux desktop using either KDE or GNOME. Its website has a section called Theme Store where youll find 100s of themes. Your email address will not be published. Bikes have a set of handle bars to to turn the front wheel left or right and keep you straight .. You said car has a wheel.. That is a steering wheel that does the handle bars do !! It would be silly to buy a bike and then ask Wheres the wheel? Bikes havent a wheel because they arent designed to be driven like that. KDE has a Windows-style start menu. The DE might be stable because only a few updates are launched for it in a year. Yes KDE is 100% far more performant, especially on older systems. One of the first things any new Linux user learns is that the Linux desktop environment can look in various ways. GNOME has a stronger user base as users are happy with the GNOME application. The elastic behaviors of apps is awesome. Probe a little deeper, and the same contrast continues. 1. Also, users who dont like to update Linux desktop environments often will enjoy GNOME. annoyed and upset by transient scrollbars and narrow (6 pixels wide) scrollbars. GNOME doesnt support desktop icons. So back on KDE until they screw it up again ha. When initially encountering Windows 11, anyone who has dealt with KDE Plasma 5 cant help but draw parallels. It gives the user an environment they can be freely involved in setting the panels or menu bars of programs, and this feature has made many users fall in love with the KDE desktop environment; as a result, unlike GNOME, KDE offers the user freedom in setting and designing applications, but GNOME uses a fixed ideological approach to design applications. It was released in March 1999 which is free and open-source that helps users to have good User Interfaces in Linux systems. This article is primarily to deliver some fresh performance numbers for how GNOME vs. KDE is looking when it comes to gaming performance and the X.Org vs. (X)Wayland impact. With additional libraries, KDE can be made similar in working with GNOME. For example, Gnome includes Evolution a calendar and email client app. I actually very much agree with your overall and detailed evaluation of GNOME and KDE. Mine happens to be KDE/LXDE/Cinnamon style. KDE does not have much resemblance with Windows. And android. It was painful. It should be noted that KDE is more complex than the X window system. It is supported by a large development community that generally aim for six-month release schedules. It is an entirely free desktop environment with high accessibility and simplicity in localization and internationalization. locations around the globe to host your services as best as you need! The upper Taskbar occupies uselessly space. Gnome is as stable as ever and getting better features with every release. I like its modern appearance. On October 14, 1996, about three years after the first Linux distros began to emerge, Matthias Ettrich announced the creation of Kool Desktop Environment (KDE), a graphical interface for Unix systems. As a result, KDE 1.0, the first version of the desktop environment, was published in July 1998. GNOME is really good on portable pc with touchpad (excellent) and for multitasking and virtual desktop. We wont detail on what you can change in KDE because there are so many options that a book could probably be written on the subject. Arch Linux vs Ubuntu: Which OS is better? Stuck with it ever since. Also, due to the optimal and low use of system resources, smooth and fast performance can be experienced with KDE. With a strong focus on Linux and open-source software, Bobby has worked as a Linux System Administrator, Software Developer, and DevOps Engineer for small and large multinational companies. Waiting to get off work now to mess with it more. For example, through a plugin, you can predetermine a workspace in an application that will be opened using the auto transition window when the application is launched. Apostrophe and gThumbs photo management software are some of the prominent GNOME software that allows users to focus better on their work. Just knowing the knobs and levers are there makes me calmer, just in case . And no, were not referring to the wallpaper in the above screenshot. at rest my laptop running manjaro with . GNOME strives to utilize as few system resources as possible and offers a simple-to-use interface that may be more friendly to novice Linux users. Similar tests on the NVIDIA side using their 495 driver series with GBM support is forthcoming as well on Phoronix. GNOME operates on a 6-month release cycle that sees a new version released twice each year. Recently, GNOME launched its new version which made a change from initial windows appearance to a different but authentic look of GNOME. One of the most clever tools in a desktop is the hamburger menu, the other is the unique taskbar in which get the used applications. 2y. The key difference lies in the tendency of GNOME to bury customization options under several layers of interface lists under the System Settings control panel, a design choice meant to streamline the basic user experience. I use Raspberry Pi OS (LXDE) and Manjaro (Plasma KDE) but come from a background of RISC OS. They dont have the same expectation for smartphones, so they have no problems learning and using a different interface, and many actually find it easy and fun to use. Its design philosophy is dedicated to functionality and expansion of its features. Memory consumption has been reduced regarding RAM requirement, and boot time has been improved and accelerated. gnome have better wayland support then kde. Thank you! Unlike KDE, there are no buttons to minimize or maximize application windows in GNOME. GNOME, KDE and Xfce are the most popular desktop environments for Linux. Gnome desktop environment is easy as appearance, but it forces the users to make useless step to get any application isnt in the dock. The Plasma desktop aims for a standard layout familiar to Windows users; For this reason, most Windows users who have entered the Linux environment for the first time will find the Windows layout like Plasma a comfortable and familiar experience. 10 Best Differences HTML vs HTML5 (Infographics), Electronics Engineering vs Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering vs Mechanical Engineering, Distance Vector Routing vs Link State Routing, Computer Engineering vs Electrical Engineering, Software Development Course - All in One Bundle. That will allow you to personalize your GNOME desktop environments appearance and functionality to your personal preferences. I like to think of Gnome vs. menu-based interfaces like bikes vs. cars. Although several desktop environments were launched in the last 2 decades, none of them have dethroned the KDE/GNOME from their top positions. Kubuntu is a distribution derived from Ubuntu but one that uses KDE instead of Unity as default. Beginners prefer KDE as it has a user interface similar to Windows that makes them work easily than GNOME. On the other hand, KDE provides upfront shortcuts to many configuration options, and allows for fine tweaking the size of panels and removing or reorganizing preset applets. You can change the appearance of your desktop in any way without installing additional software or changing code, and you have the necessary control and authority to change colors, themes, window management, and workspace effects. Then they messed with it, and I moved away from it to LXDE. KDE and GNOME are different from each other. I try KDE every once in a while and while the performance advantage on my machines is more or less negligible, but you experience might differ. As a result, we decided to compare them in different categories and from different aspects. GNOME and KDE are the widely used Linux desktop environments. Reduced response time and greater precision in user input lead to improved performance in games and other graphics-intensive applications in the GNOME browser. After less than a minute, he said, Hey man, this here is no sense. Then came three seemingly childish questions: Where is the menu?, How do I get back to the browser? and How can I minimize this?. After a bit of optimization, equivalent performance can be achieved even though it is easier in plasma than gnome. Its design philosophy can be best described as streamlined and easy to use. I hope that our article was able to guide you in choosing your ideal desktop environment. Fedora, Ubuntu, and Pop!_OS are popular examples. GNOME is the best suggestion for beginner users because it is elementary and user-friendly, along with its great features. If we need to globalize or localize the desktop setup of GNOME, it is easy to do it in the system. Comparison between GNOME vs KDE is given below: This is a guide to GNOME vs KDE. The fact is, once you accept that you must drive your bike through its handlebars, it just feels natural and you never find yourself thinking that its missing a wheel. GNOME vs KDE comparison. Current builds of GNOME have forgone the use of menu-based navigation through applications for text-based search functionality. However, I cant help but notice the obvious design similarities. Some of the widgets youll find in it are as follows: Theres no such feature called Widgets in Gnome. The graphical interface is provided to users that make them use Linux as comfortably as Windows. It is not possible to give a definite answer because the ease of use depends on the expertise and skill of the users. However, if youre a Linux desktop enthusiast who enjoys messing about for hours altering this and that, youll be amazed by what KDE offers. My choices: In other words, when you check out KDE Plasma. When it comes to GNOME is a modern and unique experience environment that has spent decades creating a unique user interface and design language. Gnome is more mac os like in its look and feel. Not my style of desktop computing though. While KDEs app launcher, panel, widgets, and KRunner (accessible via Alt + F2) can all serve the same purposes, we described in GNOME, except that doing so requires navigating several different interfaces. gnome needs 2 Taskbars why? KDe is the right choice for the desktop environment. In terms of performance, KDE Plasma has quick and smooth animations for panels and menus and uses fewer RAM compared to GNOME. PS: even 20+ years ago KDE had a Windows feel (Windows 9x at the time), while GNOME for a while (2.x) had an OS X inspiration. Because of this, it's fair to say that using KDE is generally a more reliable and stable experience. Keeping in mind that this process incorporates what around 5 processes do on KDE. KDE is used as the default desktop environment in openSUSE, Kubuntu, Slackware, KDE Neon, and KaOS. In some distros, you can choose what apps you want the installer to . KDE's new Wayland protocol will fetch the latest advancements and enhancements for a more functional computing experience. GNOME also behaves nicely by default, but it usually uses more RAM and CPU. I was drafting one of these articles at the time, and my desktop was running a virtual machine with vanilla GNOME 42 installation. KDEs Appearance tool allows you to change the icons, window style, animations, etc. Perhaps the best known of the Fedora spins is the KDE Plasma desktop. gnome-tweak-tool. Below are the top 6 differences between GNOME vs KDE: Start Your Free Software Development Course, Web development, programming languages, Software testing & others. Both Nautilus and Dolphin are powerful file managers. Especially using it on Fedora as opposed to Ubuntu is not a good experience overall in terms of usability (and having to complete Fedora with GNOME extensions and tweaks doesnt make so much sense, since the words Extension and Tweaks seem to imply extended/specialized functionality, which is in many cases not what theyre used for: adding a maximize/minimize button, tray icons, etc., is not anything remotely extended nor is that something truly customized when Im not alone in having the need to have those features). The look and feel of the console and file manager and all basic features are the same and users cannot argue on this matter. In the GNOME environment, the activity overview acts as a workflow hub and is used as a place to search for files and programs, view active windows, or switch between multiple workspaces. So for blazing fast performance especially on machines with less than 8 GB of RAM, choose KDE. When I changed my dads laptop over from Win10 to KUbuntu 20.04, he took right to it. This article introduces new Linux users to the advantages and disadvantages of the two most popular desktop environments in the Linux world, GNOME and KDE. 1- You wrote UK: 47 Wharf Rd, London, N1 7GS Ive tried Debian/Gnome, Arch/Gnome and now Im running Slackware/KDE. In the early days of the two desktops, there were some general workflow similarities. Canonicals developers have taken care to pre-install most of the extensions mentioned above, making GNOME much more usable. A one-stop, integrated desktop environment; carrying out day-to-day tasks without reliance on command-line interface. The day when I wont be able to use MATE as a desktop is probably the day I will stop using Linux as my desktop and Linux is my desktop for about 20 years already. The applications are categorized into different functions that make the desktop looks clean. I already have it installed, also gdm login handler doesn't work on pop with kde at the moment so I'm using sddm. And when you do, GNOME transforms into a very stable, reliable, and predictable work environment that will serve you flawlessly for years. Hello, I want to install TW and I am trying to pick between GNOME and KDE to settle with. In the beginning I tried red hat/gnome. But we will highlight that KDE came out as the desktop environment that consumed the fewest system resources instead of GNOME in all of our testing. Bobby is a Linux professional with over 20 years of experience. You can change their opacity, color, size, etc. The acronym KDE was a pun on the proprietary graphic environment CDE (Common Desktop Environment) of the time. KDE has provided the possibility to customize and optimize the software according to the users needs. Reply. I would advise a new Linux user coming from the Windows environment to use MATE desktop environment or even the latest LxQT (version 1.1.0) desktop environment. Besides that GNOME performance has gotten quite a bit better with 3.38. KDE is a desktop environment for an integrated set of cross-platform applications designed to run on Linux, FreeBSD, Microsoft Windows, Solaris and Mac OS, designed by the KDE Community. Explaining Your Rights When Using VPNs, WordPress Maintenance Services Roundup & Comparison. Take note that there is a difference between gtk/qt and gnome/kde apps. For those wondering about the raw gaming performance between GNOME vs. KDE currently with both X11 and (X)Wayland, I have some desktop gaming tests currently being conducted under such . Now the expert enthusiasts know the trick but the new end user mentally refuse this environment, because it seems stupid for a desktop. Users who need a simple desktop are happy with this option. The thing is, although I prefer the simplicity and visuals of GNOME over KDE, the performance of GNOME on both my laptops is quite bad, there's noticeable lag in moving things around, and as time goes by and I start to open windows/tabs, the GNOME Shell crawls to a point where it is using a lot of RAM and . GNOME, like KDE, has gone through several changes throughout its existence, the most prominent of which was the launch of GNOME Shell in 2011. While KDE is one of them; GNOME is not. All else equal, KDE uses about 1/3 of the memory that Gnome does. Granted, not everybody likes bikes. The applications are hidden in the taskbar and appear only when we search for the same. 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( or the only ) desktop environment, I advise sticking with KDE find everything they are entirely.