I'm currently setting up Debian 12 Bookworm and I need some guidance on which desktop environment to choose. I'm considering GNOME, XFCE, and KDE Plasma. My main priorities are stability and aesthetics—I'm looking for something that's dependable without being buggy and also doesn't look outdated or unattractive. Any recommendations?
4 Answers
It really comes down to personal preference, but I love both Cinnamon and KDE Plasma. KDE is super customizable and offers a lot in terms of looks and functionality. If you want something with good performance and aesthetics, I say go for it!
If stability is your top concern, I suggest XFCE. It’s rock solid and works well on lower-end hardware. However, I've been using KDE for over three years and found it just as stable. Current versions of Plasma (like 5 for Debian 12) look great right out of the box, with plenty of customization options if you're willing to invest some time into it.
All three options—GNOME, XFCE, and Plasma—can be fairly stable and good-looking, depending on your taste. I highly recommend GNOME since it's the default for Debian, meaning it gets great community support. If you're unsure, check out the DistroSea website to try out the different environments online. It might help you decide without needing to commit right away!
KDE has a lot of customization options, which is great. However, I prefer GNOME. With GNOME Tweaks and some themes from the Pling store, you can really enhance its look. If you like how GNOME appears, it’s definitely the stable choice for enterprise-level environments, too.
I'm leaning towards KDE as well. I hope it's stable enough for daily tasks!