KDE Plasma is one of the most customizable and feature-rich desktop environments for Linux. But a desktop is of little use without a bunch of apps to support it. Luckily, the KDE community has developed hundreds of nifty little apps that you can install on your KDE desktop for free.
Here are some of the most useful KDE apps that will be a fantastic addition to your software arsenal. The list includes a lightweight paint program, a full-blown video editor, and everything in between, so rest assured, there’s something for everyone here.
You can use KDE Discover to install any of these apps.
1. KDE Connect
You must be living under a rock if you’re a KDE user and haven’t heard of KDE Connect. It lets you pair your smartphone with your Linux PC, and use that connection to share files, manage notifications, use your smartphone as a mouse, and more. Check out this list of things you can do with KDE Connect on Linux.
Download: KDE Connect
2. Okular
Tagged as “The Universal Document Viewer,” Okular stands up to its claims by offering a lightweight, cross-platform document viewer for Windows, Linux, and macOS. Support for multiple document formats like PDF, EPUB, DjVu, MD, JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, and WebP are in-built, so rest assured Okular can open any document format you come across.
At first glance, Okular seems like any other PDF or document viewer, with a contents pane at the left and a reader on the right. There are options to annotate your documents using lines, shapes, and stamps and read out text for visually impaired users. But what’s special about Okular is that it lets you fill out PDF forms and verify digital signatures, free of cost.
Download: Okular
3. KTorrent
If you prefer using torrents to download Linux ISO images and other files, KTorrent will be a valuable addition to your software list. In addition to basic features like torrent queuing, downloads, pause/resume, etc., KTorrent also lets you import partially downloaded torrents, manage connected peers, download specific files, and connect to proxies.
You can preview media, prioritize files, and even extend KTorrent’s functionalities by installing plugins.
Download: KTorrent
4. KGet
KGet is a download manager developed by the KDE community. It’s similar to Internet Download Manager on Windows and Advanced Download Manager for Android. It lets you download files from HTTP and FTP servers and integrates well with Konqueror, the KDE community web browser.
In addition to pausing, resuming, and restarting a download, KGet lets you prioritize the entries so you can choose what to download first. It also supports batch downloading using the Import Links button. There are also options to configure KGet and add plugins to extend its functionality.
Download: KGet
5. KolourPaint
As a Linux newcomer, you certainly miss preinstalled Windows programs like MS Paint, whether it’s for performing quick image edits or doodling the fresh landscape in your head. KolourPaint is here to fill that void. It’s lightweight, free, and comes with all tools necessary to replace MS Paint: a customizable color palette, selection, line, eraser, and fill tools, and rulers.
Compared to MS Paint, the interface is pretty basic, with a lot less going on in the foreground. This makes KolourPaint an easy transition for kids who are familiar with MS Paint on Windows.
Download: KolourPaint
6. Sweeper
If you need a simple and easy-to-use system cleaning app, look no further than Sweeper. It comes with a checklist of temporary files and data you can safely remove from your system. To use Sweeper, simply check off the boxes next to what you want to remove, then click Clean Up.
Sweeper does exactly what it’s meant to do. Nothing more, nothing less!
Download: Sweeper
7. Kamoso
The default plasma-meta package group doesn’t come with a lot of software: it’s just the desktop environment and nothing else. If you need a webcam app though, Kamoso has got you covered.
As with other camera apps, you have options to take pictures and record video, with a separate option to capture a burst. What makes Kamoso stand out is its collection of default effects that you can apply to the webcam feed in real-time. You can also configure the default folders to store your captures and choose to mirror the camera output if you wish.
Download: Kamoso
8. KMail
Want a suitable Linux alternative to Microsoft Outlook? Check out KMail, a free-to-use email client for Linux with a familiar interface. KMail supports protocols like IMAP, SMTP, and POP3 and has built-in grammar checker and spam filtration features.
KMail seamlessly integrates with Gmail, Outlook, and other popular email providers. It’s secure and integrates well with other KDE apps like Kontact, KOrganizer, and KAddressBook.
Download: KMail
9. Yakuake
What’s better than a terminal? A dropdown terminal that rolls down from the top whenever you need it. Yakuake has everything you’d want in a terminal, but better.
You can customize the interface, configure the drop-down behavior, run every Linux command and script imaginable, and do so using multiple tabs. Yakuake prompts you for the keyboard shortcut for the roll-down behavior at the first launch.
Download: Yakuake
10. KDevelop
KDevelop is a cross-platform Python, C/C++, PHP, and QML/JavaScript IDE for developers. At first glance, the interface looks relatively similar to other Linux IDEs, but KDevelop’s extensibility and customizability are unparalleled. You can add plugins to enhance the default behavior, configure the editor interface, and handle multiple projects simultaneously.
When creating a project, KDevelop lets you choose the version control system you want to use. Apart from conventional IDE features like code completion and syntax highlighting, KDevelop ships with documentation integration and containerization support too.
Download: KDevelop
11. Kdenlive
Want a professional-grade video editor that’s free to use and runs on all Linux distros? Check out Kdenlive, a video editing software that gives Adobe Premiere Pro a run for its money.
If you’re already into video editing with Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve, you can quickly get to grips with Kdenlive since the interface is similar.
Multitrack video editing, audio and video effects and transitions, and a configurable interface all make Kdenlive the perfect video editing tool for your next project.
Download: Kdenlive
12. KBackup
As a Linux newcomer, errors and boot issues are inevitable. Luckily, with a backup utility like KBackup, backing up files on your Linux installation is a cinch.
Simply select the folders you want to back up from the left sidebar and choose a target destination from the right. Then, click Start Backup to proceed.
KBackup will create a TAR archive containing all the contents you selected. You can then transfer the archive to a safe location and store it for later use. Even better, simply plug in the external storage drive beforehand and select it as the target destination.
Download: KBackup
KDE Apps Make Transitioning to Linux a Lot Easier
The KDE community has developed an app for everyone and everything possible. Want a tool to design digital graphics? You’ve got Krita. Need a graphing calculator for your next Mathematics assignment? Install KAlgebra!
There are KDE-based alternatives to Windows programs as well. You have the Klipper clipboard manager, Spectacle screenshot tool, and Kate, a fantastic Notepad++ alternative. Having access to such a huge catalog of free software makes transitioning to Linux a lot easier for beginners.