Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

LXQt VS KDE Plasma Desktop

Compare LXQt VS KDE Plasma Desktop and see what are their differences

LXQt logo LXQt

The LXQt team is proud to announce the release of qtermwidget and qterminal, both in version 0. 8. 0. Read more..

KDE Plasma Desktop logo KDE Plasma Desktop

Plasma Workspaces is the umbrella term for all graphical environments provided by KDE.
  • LXQt Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-11-24
  • KDE Plasma Desktop Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-06

LXQt features and specs

  • Lightweight Performance
    LXQt is designed to be a lightweight desktop environment, which means it consumes fewer system resources compared to other environments like GNOME or KDE Plasma. This makes it an excellent choice for older hardware or systems with limited resources.
  • Modularity
    LXQt is highly modular, allowing users to pick and choose the components they need. This flexibility can lead to a more customized and efficient system.
  • Quick and Responsive
    Due to its lightweight nature, LXQt tends to be very quick and responsive, leading to a smoother user experience, especially on less powerful machines.
  • Qt Framework
    Being based on the Qt framework, LXQt benefits from Qt’s powerful libraries and tools, leading to a potentially richer and more consistent user experience.
  • Active Development
    LXQt is under active development, which means it receives regular updates, bug fixes, and improvements, ensuring it remains relevant and stable.
  • Customizability
    The environment offers a significant level of customizability, allowing users to tweak the interface to their liking without consuming too many resources.
  • Better Integration with KDE Applications
    LXQt can integrate better with KDE applications due to its use of the Qt framework, making for a more seamless experience if you rely on those applications.

Possible disadvantages of LXQt

  • Lack of Features
    Compared to more extensive desktop environments like GNOME or KDE Plasma, LXQt may lack certain advanced features and functionalities, which some users might miss.
  • Aesthetics
    While functional, LXQt's default aesthetic might be seen as less polished or modern compared to other desktop environments. Users may need to invest time in customizing the look.
  • Smaller Community
    LXQt has a smaller user base and community compared to major desktop environments. This can mean fewer available resources, themes, and community support.
  • Application Ecosystem
    The ecosystem of applications specifically designed for or optimized for LXQt is smaller compared to environments like GNOME or KDE Plasma.
  • Potential Qt Issues
    Being based on the Qt framework can sometimes lead to compatibility issues or inconsistencies, especially when mixing and matching applications from different desktop environments.
  • Complex Customization
    Though customizable, LXQt’s customization options can sometimes be less straightforward or user-friendly compared to other environments, potentially leading to a steeper learning curve for new users.
  • Less Frequent Updates
    While under active development, LXQt doesn't receive updates as frequently as some other desktop environments, which might lead to slower integration of new features.

KDE Plasma Desktop features and specs

  • Customizability
    KDE Plasma Desktop offers an extensive range of customization options, allowing users to tweak almost every aspect of the user interface including widgets, themes, and layout.
  • Performance
    Despite its rich feature set, KDE Plasma is known for being lightweight and efficient, performing well even on older or less powerful hardware.
  • Feature-Rich
    Out of the box, KDE Plasma provides a wide array of built-in applications and tools, from productivity applications to utilities, catering to a variety of needs.
  • Active Community
    KDE has an active and supportive community that constantly contributes to its development, ensuring the desktop environment is continuously improved and updated.
  • Frequent Updates
    KDE Plasma receives regular updates, which bring not only security patches but also new features and improvements, keeping the desktop environment modern and secure.

Possible disadvantages of KDE Plasma Desktop

  • Complexity
    While the high level of customizability is a strength, it can be overwhelming for new or less tech-savvy users who might find the vast array of options difficult to navigate.
  • Resource Usage
    Although efficient, KDE Plasma might still consume more system resources compared to very minimalistic desktop environments, potentially posing an issue on extremely limited hardware.
  • Initial Stability
    Sometimes new updates or features can introduce stability issues or bugs, which might impact the user experience until they are patched in future updates.
  • Application UI Variability
    Depending on the application, user interface design can vary significantly, leading to an inconsistent look and feel across different applications.
  • Steeper Learning Curve
    The extensive feature set, while advantageous for power users, can lead to a steeper learning curve for beginners or those transitioning from simpler desktop environments.

LXQt videos

Lubuntu 18.10 Review - Now with LXQt Desktop

More videos:

  • Review - LXQt review!
  • Review - Debian 10.2 LXQT the Most Up-To-Date Desktop Environment
  • Review - Lubuntu 21.04 overview | Welcome to the Next Universe.

KDE Plasma Desktop videos

KDE Plasma 5 Deep Dive (Late 2019) | Linux Desktop Reviews

More videos:

  • Review - KDE Plasma Workspaces
  • Review - Trying Out KDE Plasma 5.15
  • Review - Kubuntu 18.04 Review: KDE Plasma at its Best

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to LXQt and KDE Plasma Desktop)
Linux
29 29%
71% 71
Desktop Environments
37 37%
63% 63
Operating Systems
31 31%
69% 69
Window Manager
45 45%
55% 55

User comments

Share your experience with using LXQt and KDE Plasma Desktop. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare LXQt and KDE Plasma Desktop

LXQt Reviews

9 Best Linux Desktop Environments to Use in 2023
LXQT is another fantastic lightweight desktop environment. LXQT is a modern edition of LXDE that is suited for cloud servers and outdated infrastructure owing to its low RAM and CPU usage. LXQT is unmatched in its capacity to perform on even the most primitive devices.
Source: geekflare.com
The 8 Best Ubuntu Desktop Environments (22.04 Jammy Jellyfish Linux)
LXQt is a default desktop environment on Lubuntu. One of the features of LXQt is that it has comparatively low resource requirements.
Source: linuxconfig.org
The 12 Best Linux Desktop Environments
LXQt is one of the lightest Linux desktop environments on the list, so it is created by the merger between LXDE’s Qt port and Razor-Qt. In case you don’t like Lubuntu, it will be hard to build interest in LXQt because it is quite similar to Lubuntu.
Source: linuxhint.com
The Best Desktop Environments For Linux (We Tested Them So That You Don’t Have To)
Even though LXQt tries to present a modern look without comprising the performance, it is still not the most intuitive experience out there. Of course, if you need performance over the look and feel, LXQt is an impressive choice.
Source: itsfoss.com

KDE Plasma Desktop Reviews

9 Best Linux Desktop Environments to Use in 2023
After GNOME, the most widely used Linux desktop environment is KDE Plasma. This KDE Plasma desktop environment comes with various tools and services to fulfill almost any demand. It includes applications like Dolphin, the default and most powerful file system manager, and KGeoTag, a photo Photo geotagging program. It features Oxygen icons by default, which have a pleasing...
Source: geekflare.com
The 8 Best Ubuntu Desktop Environments (22.04 Jammy Jellyfish Linux)
KDE Plasma desktop is a widget-based environment which makes it very adaptable. You can move, add or remove anything you like to make it suit your style as well as possible. Plasma is fast and efficient. It uses only few resources and is full of well designed features.
Source: linuxconfig.org

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, KDE Plasma Desktop seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 66 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

LXQt mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of LXQt yet. Tracking of LXQt recommendations started around Mar 2021.

KDE Plasma Desktop mentions (66)

  • Unlocking the Cutting Edge: Exploring Plasma 6 Beta, Secure Knowledge Management, and the Latest Tools for Linux Enthusiasts
    Plasma 6 - Beta 1 is the latest iteration of the KDE desktop environment, known for its flexibility and customization options. Beta releases are crucial for ironing out bugs and streamlining new features before the final release. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Apps cannot read files from Google Drive on KDE Neon
    Recently I installed KDE Plasma. I was pleased to see the KDE-KIO integration for Google Drive. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Should i switch?
    I'm glad to hear that you use Krita (and I may assume you use Blender for animations). Both are free and open source software that is available on Linux (even better, Krita is made by the KDE project, makers of all sorts of open source projects, including Plasma, one of the most complete user interfaces for Linux out there). Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Gamer migrating to Linux
    Because of this, I recommend using Fedora (either the default edition, which uses the GNOME desktop, or Fedora KDE, which uses the KDE Plasma desktop, like the Steam Deck). It ships up-to-date software, and it's very polished. (Note that, due to the US software patents, support/hardware acceleration for some media codecs isn't included by default. You should add the RPMFusion repo and set up the codecs after... Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Questions I have about Linux, from someone who wants to switch from Windows 10
    KDE Plasma is developed by KDE, another international group of developers that make all sorts of cool software for Linux, macOS, Windows, and mobile platforms. Plasma is their flagship project. Their motto is "simple by default, powerful when needed". At first glance it may seem a copy of Windows, with a bottom panel sporting a start menu on the left and a system tray with a clock on the right, but don't get... Source: almost 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing LXQt and KDE Plasma Desktop, you can also consider the following products

Xfce - Xfce is a lightweight desktop environment for UNIX-like operating systems. It aims to be fast and low on system resources, while still being visually appealing and user friendly.

LXDE - Why will you like it? Less resource needs. You can use it on your less-pricey embedded board or salvaged computer. Component-based design. Don't want something in LXDE, or you don't want to use LXDE but only part of it?

GNOME - An easy and elegant way to use your computer, GNOME is designed to put you in control and get things done.

MATE - The MATE Desktop Environment is the continuation of GNOME 2. It provides an intuitive and attractive desktop environment using traditional metaphors for Linux and other Unix-like operating systems.

KDE - The KDE® Community is a free software community dedicated to creating an open and user-friendly computing experience, offering an advanced graphical desktop, a wide variety of applications for communication, work, education and entertainment and …

i3 - A dynamic tiling window manager designed for X11, inspired by wmii, and written in C.