Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Ubuntu MATE VS Kubuntu

Compare Ubuntu MATE VS Kubuntu and see what are their differences

Ubuntu MATE logo Ubuntu MATE

We are delighted to provide a ready-to-run image for the Raspberry Pi 2 and Raspberry Pi 3.

Kubuntu logo Kubuntu

Linux operating system distribution derived from Ubuntu but with KDE environment.
  • Ubuntu MATE Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-12-18
  • Kubuntu Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-21

Ubuntu MATE features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Ubuntu MATE provides a simple and intuitive desktop environment, making it accessible for both new and experienced users. The MATE Desktop Environment is well-organized, offering a traditional and familiar desktop layout.
  • Lightweight and Efficient
    The operating system is designed to be lightweight, which translates to lower resource usage compared to other desktop environments. This makes Ubuntu MATE an excellent choice for older hardware or systems with limited resources.
  • Customizability
    Users have a wide range of customization options for tweaking the appearance and behavior of the desktop environment. This includes changing themes, layouts, and panel configurations easily.
  • Active Community and Support
    Ubuntu MATE benefits from a vibrant community and a strong support network, offering numerous resources like forums, documentation, and tutorials. Users can easily find help and guidance for any issues they encounter.
  • Software Compatibility
    Being based on Ubuntu, Ubuntu MATE is compatible with a vast range of software and applications available through the Ubuntu repositories and PPAs (Personal Package Archives).
  • Regular Updates
    Ubuntu MATE receives regular updates and security patches, ensuring that the system remains secure and up-to-date with the latest features and improvements.
  • Long-Term Support (LTS) Versions
    LTS versions of Ubuntu MATE offer extended support and stability, making them an ideal choice for users who need a reliable and long-lasting operating system.

Possible disadvantages of Ubuntu MATE

  • Less Modern Appearance
    The MATE desktop environment, while functional, may seem outdated or less visually appealing compared to more modern desktop environments like GNOME or KDE Plasma.
  • Limited Advanced Features
    Being focused on simplicity and efficiency, Ubuntu MATE lacks some of the advanced features and eye-candy that are available in other desktop environments. Users looking for cutting-edge features may find it lacking.
  • Software Bloat
    Like other Ubuntu flavors, Ubuntu MATE comes with a pre-installed selection of applications that may not be necessary for all users. This can result in perceived software bloat.
  • Learning Curve for Customization
    While the desktop environment is customizable, new users might find the customization options overwhelming or difficult to navigate initially, requiring some time to learn how to effectively personalize the system.
  • Hardware Compatibility Issues
    Although rare, some users may experience hardware compatibility issues with certain devices or components, particularly with very new or niche hardware.
  • Default Applications
    The default selection of applications may not satisfy all users, requiring additional effort to install preferred alternatives. Some users might find the default applications less polished compared to alternatives.

Kubuntu features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Kubuntu features the KDE Plasma desktop environment, known for its modern, intuitive, and highly customizable user interface.
  • Performance
    Kubuntu is generally lightweight and fast, providing good performance even on older hardware. KDE Plasma has been optimized for efficiency.
  • Wide Software Availability
    Being a flavor of Ubuntu, Kubuntu benefits from the extensive Ubuntu repositories, making it easy to find and install a wide range of software.
  • Strong Community Support
    Kubuntu enjoys robust community support with plenty of tutorials, forums, and documentation available online, thanks to its ties to Ubuntu.
  • Regular Updates
    Kubuntu receives regular updates and security patches, ensuring that the system remains stable and secure.
  • Good for Newcomers
    Its user-friendly design and ample support resources make Kubuntu a good choice for users new to Linux.

Possible disadvantages of Kubuntu

  • Resource Usage
    Although KDE Plasma is optimized, the graphical environment can still be more resource-intensive compared to other lightweight desktop environments.
  • Potential Bugs
    Users may occasionally encounter bugs or stability issues, particularly when using the latest, cutting-edge features of KDE Plasma.
  • Slower Software Updates
    Compared to rolling release distributions like Arch Linux, software packages in Kubuntu may not always be the most up-to-date.
  • Learning Curve
    While Kubuntu is user-friendly, new users might still face a learning curve, especially if they are coming from a different operating system like Windows or macOS.
  • Customization Overhead
    Although the customization options are a strength, they may be overwhelming to some users who prefer a simpler, more out-of-the-box experience.

Analysis of Kubuntu

Overall verdict

  • Kubuntu is generally considered a good distribution due to its balance of performance, usability, and visual appeal. It is especially praised for the flexibility and features offered by the KDE Plasma environment.

Why this product is good

  • Kubuntu is a popular Linux distribution that combines the KDE Plasma desktop environment with the underlying Ubuntu operating system. It offers the stability and reliability of Ubuntu, along with the customizability and aesthetic appeal of KDE Plasma. Users appreciate its user-friendly interface, comprehensive software support, and large community, making it a suitable choice for both beginners and advanced Linux users.

Recommended for

  • Users who prefer a visually appealing and highly customizable desktop.
  • Those who want the robustness and support of Ubuntu's ecosystem.
  • Individuals looking for a Linux distribution that balances ease of use with power features.
  • Users transitioning from other operating systems seeking a familiar and intuitive interface.

Ubuntu MATE videos

Ubuntu MATE 20.04 Review - Best of the Ubuntu Derivatives

More videos:

  • Review - Ubuntu MATE 20.04 Review: MATE Has Never Been This Better
  • Review - Ubuntu MATE 19.10 Review - Fast, Functional & Fun?

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 Ubuntu MATE and Kubuntu)
Linux
35 35%
65% 65
Operating Systems
35 35%
65% 65
Linux Distribution
33 33%
67% 67
OS & Utilities
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 Ubuntu MATE and Kubuntu

Ubuntu MATE Reviews

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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

Based on our record, Kubuntu should be more popular than Ubuntu MATE. It has been mentiond 73 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.

Ubuntu MATE mentions (43)

  • best Distro for Noob
    When I started out, I used red hat, Suse linux, and then finally I jumped to Ubuntu, when they killed gnome and rolled out their new GUI later, I switched to Ubuntu Mate, with xfce alternatively installed. And then later came MINT. Which is based on ubuntu anyway. Source: over 1 year ago
  • New monitor and VGA cable smudges/ghosting
    Prepare a blank USB stick with a copy of Ubuntu (write the ISO to the USB stick with Rufus). Source: over 1 year ago
  • Reviving an old machine for gaming
    Ubuntu MATE (simple, well maintained, has the Ubuntu ecosystem support and should work well). Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Who needs Ubuntu when you have MATE
    Linux Mint has its advantages, but your title doesn't make sense when there's Ubuntu MATE. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Fail To Download on Old Windows Vista PC
    (btw: since the PC is older I would reccommend Ubuntu Mate or Xubuntu as those come with a lighter Desktop). Source: about 2 years ago
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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: over 1 year 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: 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: about 2 years ago
  • Linux - what flavor?
    Kubuntu - based on Ubuntu. Uses the KDE desktop environment. Source: about 2 years 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: about 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Ubuntu MATE and Kubuntu, you can also consider the following products

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

Xubuntu - Xubuntu – Xubuntu is an elegant and easy-to-use operating system. Download XubuntuXubuntu – Xubuntu is an elegant and easy-to-use operating system. Feature Tour.

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

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.

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

Fedora - Fedora creates an innovative, free, and open source platform for hardware, clouds, and containers that enables software developers and community members to build tailored solutions for their users.