KDE neon
Debian family, based on Ubuntu · first released 2016
- Popularity rank
- #28
- Index
- 285
- Released
- 2016
you prefer tested updates on a fixed schedule.
Pros and cons
Good
- Newest KDE Plasma as soon as it's released
- Ubuntu LTS base underneath
- Made by KDE developers
Trade-offs
- Aimed at KDE enthusiasts more than general users
- Mix of new KDE and older Ubuntu packages
- Fewer extras out of the box
How KDE neon fits what you do
Everyday use: Good fit
Good
- Made for day-to-day desktop use
Trade-offs
None we know of.
Gaming: Can work
Good
Nothing that stands out for this.
Trade-offs
- Graphics drivers and kernels update more slowly
- Steam and gaming tweaks are up to you
Older computers: Not the best fit
Good
Nothing that stands out for this.
Trade-offs
- Needs about 4 GB of RAM to feel smooth
- No 32-bit images
Programming: Can work
Good
- A stable base that doesn't change under you
Trade-offs
- Language and tool versions can lag behind
- Fewer developer guides than the big distros
AI & Local LLMs: Not the best fit
Good
Nothing that stands out for this.
Trade-offs
- No official CUDA packages, so NVIDIA AI tools need workarounds
- AMD ROCm isn't officially supported
Servers & home labs: Can work
Good
- Fixed releases with tested updates
Trade-offs
- Mainly a desktop system
Privacy & security: Can work
Good
Nothing that stands out for this.
Trade-offs
- Usage data not checked by us yet
- Privacy tools like Tor or sandboxing are up to you
Music, video & graphics: Can work
Good
Nothing that stands out for this.
Trade-offs
- Creative apps and low-latency audio setup are up to you
From our hand-written profile of KDE neon. Take the quiz to compare it with other distros for your setup.
Rank over time
| Window | Rank | Index | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last month | #62 ▼ 34 | 267 | |
| 12 months | #28 | 285 |
Shorter windows react faster. A better rank there than over 12 months means interest is growing.
Telemetry
Not checked yet. We only list what we've confirmed in the project's own documentation.
Rate KDE neon
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Ranking from our composite index: English Wikipedia article views, DistroWatch page hits, GitHub stars and views on this site, built 2026-11-12. All of these measure interest, not installs. Ratings come from signed-in LinuxStatistics users.