Software Alternatives & Reviews

Qubes OS VS Kubuntu

Compare Qubes OS VS Kubuntu and see what are their differences

Qubes OS logo Qubes OS

Qubes is a security-oriented, free and open-source operating system for personal computers that allows you to securely compartmentalize your digital life.‎Download Mirrors · ‎Qubes R4.

Kubuntu logo Kubuntu

Linux operating system distribution derived from Ubuntu but with KDE environment.
  • Qubes OS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-13
  • Kubuntu Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-21

Qubes OS videos

Qubes OS Review | Windows Integration

More videos:

  • Review - Qubes OS Part 1: Overview and Features
  • Tutorial - Qubes OS Tutorial | Install, Config, and Introduction

Kubuntu videos

Kubuntu 20.04 Review - LTS all round

More videos:

  • Review - Kubuntu 20.04 LTS Review - An iterative and solid upgrade
  • Review - Kubuntu 19.10 Review - A little late to the party.

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Qubes OS and Kubuntu)
Operating Systems
41 41%
59% 59
Linux
39 39%
61% 61
Linux Distribution
39 39%
61% 61
Security & Privacy
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Qubes OS and Kubuntu

Qubes OS Reviews

The 10 Best Immutable Linux Distributions in 2024
Given the nature of immutable distributions, a strong emphasis on security is essential. Distributions that implement robust security measures, whether through sandboxing applications, using secure package management systems, or providing advanced isolation techniques (like in Qubes OS), were given priority.
Best Linux distro for privacy and security of 2024
Thanks to its radically different approach, Qubes does have a learning curve. However it isn’t abrupt enough to prevent you from using the distro like a normal Linux installation. Qubes is based on Fedora and uses the Xfce desktop environment. But instead of a list of apps, its application menu lists several qubes such as work, personal, untrusted, each of which rolls the...
Top 5 Secure Operating Systems for Privacy and Anonymity
In short, Qubes is an operating system that separates tasks and applications into distinct VMs and further isolates them using containers. By leveraging these technologies, Qubes OS can deliver enhanced performance and security.
The 5 Best Privacy-Focused Operating Systems
Qubes OS is a unique privacy-focused Linux distribution that prioritizes security through virtualization. It allows you to create isolated virtual machines (VMs) for different tasks, enhancing privacy and security. Each VM runs separately, reducing the risk of data leaks and malware infections.
Avoid The Hack: 11 Best Privacy Friendly Operating Systems (Desktops)
Qubes is unique in that it uses Xen-based virtualization, which enables strong isolation of different pieces of software - which can include operating systems. Multiple operating systems can run at the same time through Qubes - and they won't even "know" other operating systems exist.

Kubuntu Reviews

The best Linux distributions (operating systems)
Kubuntu is another Ubuntu derivative, based on KDE Plasma as a desktop environment. The lightweight solution runs games smoothly. It is also customizable and thus optimized for gaming. Numerous programs are available for Kubuntu.
Source: www.ionos.com
Best Top 20 Ubuntu Linux Alternatives (Pros and Cons)
Kubuntu is an official Ubuntu flavor that uses the KDE Plasma Desktop instead of GNOME and shares the same underlying system as Ubuntu. Ubuntu’s repository is also used by Kubuntu and it releases packages on the same schedule.
13 Best Linux distros for gaming in 2022
Not just limited to our forums (itsfoss.community) but also some Reddit threads pointed at Kubuntu as their preferred choice just because they feel KDE desktop environment is easy on their system resources which improves their gaming experience.
9 Best Linux Gaming Distributions in 2021
Linux Mint also offers LTS releases similar to Ubuntu. Unlike some Ubuntu flavors (like Kubuntu & Lubuntu), which provides 3 years of system updates, Linux Mint offers 5 years of updates no matter what desktop environment you go for. You get the option to choose Xfce, MATE, or Cinnamon edition.
Source: itsfoss.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Kubuntu might be a bit more popular than Qubes OS. We know about 73 links to it since March 2021 and only 55 links to Qubes OS. 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.

Qubes OS mentions (55)

  • Unprivileged Process Injection Techniques in Linux
    If you care about security, consider Qubes OS, which relies on hardware virtualization to provide a much higher security than ordinary Linux: https://qubes-os.org. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • The Windows installer of ImageMagick will no longer be signed
    You may be interested in trying Qubes OS, which provides security through compartmentalization: https://qubes-os.org. - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • Richard Stallman on why GNU su didn't support the “wheel” group
    The solution is to use https://qubes-os.org. My daily driver, can't recommend it enough. - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
  • Ask HN: What projects are trying to reinvent core software infrastructure?
    > operating systems https://qubes-os.org, a reasonably secure operating system. Smartphones: Librem 5 running desktop GNU/Linux and desktop apps. - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
  • Google tries internet air-gap for some staff PCs
    Or they could simply use Qubes OS: https://qubes-os.org. - Source: Hacker News / 10 months ago
View more

Kubuntu mentions (73)

  • Issues updating multiple flavors of Debian on one computer
    I got the .iso from kubuntu.org for Kubuntu 23.10, and tried installing it. I was then greeted with a new error before I could get to the disk partitioning screen:. Source: 5 months ago
  • Is setting up and dealing with WSL worth it if you don't NEED it?
    To those reading his comment: He tried to say Kubuntu. Seriously, head over to here and keep your sanity lol: https://kubuntu.org/. Source: 10 months 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: 11 months ago
  • Linux - what flavor?
    Kubuntu - based on Ubuntu. Uses the KDE desktop environment. Source: 12 months ago
  • Wanting to ditch windows 10 in favor of linux
    I recommend using Ventoy, and drag in the top general distro (Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora, Zorin, Manjaro) and the top distro for gaming (Nobara, PopOS, Garuda). If you want to have a user experience similar to SteamOS Desktop Mode, use the KDE version of the distro (Kubuntu, Nobara KDE, Manjaro KDE, Garuda Dragonfire). Source: 12 months ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Qubes OS and Kubuntu, you can also consider the following products

Tails - Tails is a Debian based live CD/USB with the goal of providing complete Internet anonymity for the...

Linux Mint - Linux Mint is one of the most popular desktop Linux distributions and used by millions of people.

Whonix - Whonix aims at preserving your privacy and anonymity by helping you use your applications...

Ubuntu - Ubuntu is a Debian Linux-based open source operating system for desktop computers.

Manjaro - Manjaro Linux is a linux distribution which is based on arch linux. It uses the PACMAN package manager.

Arch Linux - You've reached the website for Arch Linux, a lightweight and flexible Linux® distribution that tries to Keep It Simple. Currently we have official packages optimized for the x86-64 architecture.