In a few previous years (#1, #2), I decided to do a fresh take each time on what the best Linux distribution was for gaming - so I'm back for a 2025 edition of the article that will cause you to tell me how wrong and terrible I am.
What's changed? Well, quite a lot actually. Both previous times I firmly suggested going with plain Ubuntu. However, time moves on, and the software world evolves rather quickly. So I have a new recommendation for you! Why am I even writing this? Sadly, there's still articles out there pushing for tiny completely random fringe distributions and plenty with stupidly outdated and republished information to get to the top of Google.
My current home for a while now, and what I'll recommend you pick up, is Kubuntu. It has all the goodies and support of plain Ubuntu, but with the KDE Plasma desktop environment, which is the same one used on the Steam Deck's Desktop Mode. It has an interface that will be much more familiar to people coming over from Windows, it's more customizable (if you want it) but with a sane default setup that just gets you going quickly.
The latest Long Term Support (LTS) version of Kubuntu, Kubuntu 24.04.1, is supported with security and maintenance updates until April 2027. So you can install it and basically forget about it and keep it running and secure for years to come. However, you're likely better off with Kubuntu 24.10 which is more up to date, if you're okay upgrading again when the next version of Kubuntu comes out (Kubuntu 25.04) which is around April 17, 2025. Either way, both work well.
I've been through Fedora, Manjaro, Linux Mint, plain Ubuntu, Arch and many others over the years. No Linux distributions is perfect and they all come with their own set of quirks and problems, just as Windows has its own set of unique issues. To me, Kubuntu just offers the best all around middle-ground of everything you need to get going.
People will argue about Snaps, but for the majority of normal users — it just doesn't matter in the slightest. I use the Spotify, Thunderbird, Telegram and other Snaps and they work great and are kept nicely up to date without me even needing to do anything.
I will suggest though, that you enable Flatpaks from Flathub, so you get the best of all worlds and access to even more easily installable packages. It's incredibly easy to do as well.
You can download Kubuntu from their website.
If you need help and support for Linux and Steam Deck gaming, you can try asking in our Forum and Discord. Don't forget to follow me on Bluesky and Mastodon too while you're at it.
Don't agree with me? That's fine! The benefit of Linux is that there's truly no one-size-fits-all. Leave a comment to tell me how wrong I am. You're still wrong if you disagree though.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Some you may have missed, popular articles from the last month:
cameronbosch about 16 hours ago
Quoting: vgnmnkyI used Kubuntu years ago, before moving on to Mint KDE. Of all of the Debian and Ubuntu-based distros, a Plasma Mint one is probably the only one I would bother with, shame it doesn't officially exist.
Tuxedo OS. It's basically that Mint KDE but actually supported by Tuxedo computers (that may seem a bit shady given the driver upstreaming issue, but the distro itself works great).
Quoting: vgnmnkyI used Kubuntu years ago, before moving on to Mint KDE. Of all of the Debian and Ubuntu-based distros, a Plasma Mint one is probably the only one I would bother with, shame it doesn't officially exist.
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Mohandevir about 16 hours ago
Is there an arch based rolling release distro that's not bleeding edge? Kind of like Ubuntu stable?
I'd be willing to try that.
Last edited by Mohandevir on 3 December 2024 at 4:51 pm UTC
I'd be willing to try that.
Last edited by Mohandevir on 3 December 2024 at 4:51 pm UTC
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I'm on Nvidia, so I basically have to use a rolling release distro if I want a good experience. Hence why I'm almost always using either CachyOS or Nobara Project. I'm sure Kubuntu is a great experience for AMD users though. Snaps are a problem though, Valve themselves say not to use the steam snap for example.
1 Likes, Who?
cameronbosch about 16 hours ago
Quoting: BTRENah, it's a genuinely horrible disto. The telemetry that's enabled by default alone should disqualify them. The developers pull patches without testing them and break things (see the Asahi/Apple Silicon debacle but also past cases with glibc), they arbitrarily hold back packages for no discernible technical reason which has caused breakage in the past, use the --no-confirm flag with pacman to force reinstall packages with updates for no real reason, they've DDoS'd Arch's AUR multiple times, and are incompetent enough to not only renew their SSL certs for their site at least three times that I recall but actually recommended that users change back their system clock as a workaround! This isn't even getting into the strange internal issues with their treasurer resigning after objecting to a dev using donation funds inappropriately.
Apart from the treasurer leaving issue, which may or may not have been accurate (which unfortunately we not know the full story behind because he died of cancer in early 2023), all of these are legitimate issues. That's why I currently use EndeavourOS, granted, it's not for beginners whatsoever, given it doesn't come with a graphical package manager by default and it often will let you do dangerous things on your system. I do use it because I'm a much more advanced user, I prefer Pacman to APT and especially DNF or Zypper, and it uses nearly stock Arch repos so the AUR doesn't break your system, and back in 2020 - 2021, there really wasn't a good KDE stable distro: Fedora KDE wasn't as good as it is now, I didn't know about OpenSUSE, and Kubuntu never worked for me (and neither did KDE Neon). Just make sure you know the command line for certain actions like installing and updating repo packages and be prepared to use it.
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NerdNoiseRadio about 15 hours ago
As of Dec 3rd 2024, I am using Fedora 41 (Gnome) on an Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2023 model RTX 4070M) gaming laptop, and using SteamOS (stable channel - KDE) on the Steam Deck.
Once I have more storage installed (probably a 2TB micro SD card) and a game controller for it, I'll probably switch to "laptop-primary" (probably almost entirely while docked*) for my PC gaming. Until then, I remain "Steam-Deck-primary" (docked preferred, but using a 50/50, or maybe 40/60 split of docked and undocked). I almost never use desktop mode on Steam Deck anymore, but did give it a fair amount of use in the past - including having produced a handful of podcast episodes from it just to say that I did.
I no longer make substantial use of Ubuntu-based distros anymore (and prefer Ubuntu DDE in the rare instance that I do - also no longer using KDE much anymore). But for about the first four years of my time as a Linux user (including my first two years after making it my primary "daily driver" OS), Ubuntu Studio (KDE) was my primary distro - which is basically just Kubuntu with a bundle of productivity / creativity software - such that Neofetch actually mistakes it for Kubuntu. And during that time I have gamed in Ubuntu Studio and it went just great.
So while I don't know that I'm necessarily persuaded that Kubuntu is the "best gaming distro in the universe" exactly, I will at least agree that "gaming on Kubuntu / Ubuntu Studio" is certainly a more than fine experience, and so they're fine distros for anyone who wants to game!
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*=elaboration: probably going to primarily use the laptop [docked] for "gaming at home", and primarily continue to use the Steam Deck [undocked] for "gaming on the go". I don't see myself gaming from the laptop undocked (aka "clamshell mode") very often, nor do I see myself putting a ton of time into continuing to use the Steam Deck docked once I can do the same thing from such a vastly more powerful device nearly as conveniently.
Once I have more storage installed (probably a 2TB micro SD card) and a game controller for it, I'll probably switch to "laptop-primary" (probably almost entirely while docked*) for my PC gaming. Until then, I remain "Steam-Deck-primary" (docked preferred, but using a 50/50, or maybe 40/60 split of docked and undocked). I almost never use desktop mode on Steam Deck anymore, but did give it a fair amount of use in the past - including having produced a handful of podcast episodes from it just to say that I did.
I no longer make substantial use of Ubuntu-based distros anymore (and prefer Ubuntu DDE in the rare instance that I do - also no longer using KDE much anymore). But for about the first four years of my time as a Linux user (including my first two years after making it my primary "daily driver" OS), Ubuntu Studio (KDE) was my primary distro - which is basically just Kubuntu with a bundle of productivity / creativity software - such that Neofetch actually mistakes it for Kubuntu. And during that time I have gamed in Ubuntu Studio and it went just great.
So while I don't know that I'm necessarily persuaded that Kubuntu is the "best gaming distro in the universe" exactly, I will at least agree that "gaming on Kubuntu / Ubuntu Studio" is certainly a more than fine experience, and so they're fine distros for anyone who wants to game!
------------------
*=elaboration: probably going to primarily use the laptop [docked] for "gaming at home", and primarily continue to use the Steam Deck [undocked] for "gaming on the go". I don't see myself gaming from the laptop undocked (aka "clamshell mode") very often, nor do I see myself putting a ton of time into continuing to use the Steam Deck docked once I can do the same thing from such a vastly more powerful device nearly as conveniently.
1 Likes, Who?
Quoting: cameronboschTuxedo OS. It's basically that Mint KDE but actually supported by Tuxedo computers (that may seem a bit shady given the driver upstreaming issue, but the distro itself works great).Thanks for the TuxedoOS shout, I'd kind of dismissed it without knowing anything about it. It's now on my shortlist of three to play with when my new drive arrives. Though I half suspect it'll end up with a nice fresh EndeavourOS on it in the end...
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For me Personally its Bazzite Gnome.
I had the least trouble with it, and it's the first Distro that really worked for me after getting interested in Linux because of my Steam Deck.
I also tried KDE but my OBS stutters with it, and because i started recording and also want to make Youtube Videos about Gaming on Linux, i favor Gnome.
I also like PopOS but i now use two VRR Monitors and it doenst support VRR on Wayland as far as i know.
For the same reason, I never tried Mint.
Nobara was also good but i had a few audio Problems.
Fedora felt like it has more input lag in comparison to Nobara and Bazzite.
Bazzite just worked after i got used to a few things, downloaded a few extension, and change up how i do a few thinks, and im really happy with it.
I had the least trouble with it, and it's the first Distro that really worked for me after getting interested in Linux because of my Steam Deck.
I also tried KDE but my OBS stutters with it, and because i started recording and also want to make Youtube Videos about Gaming on Linux, i favor Gnome.
I also like PopOS but i now use two VRR Monitors and it doenst support VRR on Wayland as far as i know.
For the same reason, I never tried Mint.
Nobara was also good but i had a few audio Problems.
Fedora felt like it has more input lag in comparison to Nobara and Bazzite.
Bazzite just worked after i got used to a few things, downloaded a few extension, and change up how i do a few thinks, and im really happy with it.
3 Likes, Who?
For me personally I would say that i'm a normal user with some basic knowledge, I can get the computer to do what I want most of the time 
Like most here I have distro hopped around to try and find the one that I feel suits me and covers everything that I need it to do.
So the things I look for are:-
1. KDE Plasma (mainly due to the years of using windows).
2. Clean install no bloat (I like to install everything myself and not have to uninstall a bunch of apps like libreoffice etc.)
3. Flatpak and snaps in store (I want access to as many apps as possible from the store.)
4. Reliable with minimal distribution.
After trying many distro's I keep coming back to Kubuntu for the above reasons but I must add that I did enjoy Tuxedo when I tried it and even had it installed for a few months (it did seem to run quicker with my AMD cpu and graphics but I did seem to have issues with audio and some random crashes, plus with Kubuntu you can do a minimal install which for me even great as I only installed the apps that I wanted plus also I could not install any snaps until I reinstalled the snap backend for discovery which might suit some people.
Like most here I have distro hopped around to try and find the one that I feel suits me and covers everything that I need it to do.So the things I look for are:-
1. KDE Plasma (mainly due to the years of using windows).
2. Clean install no bloat (I like to install everything myself and not have to uninstall a bunch of apps like libreoffice etc.)
3. Flatpak and snaps in store (I want access to as many apps as possible from the store.)
4. Reliable with minimal distribution.
After trying many distro's I keep coming back to Kubuntu for the above reasons but I must add that I did enjoy Tuxedo when I tried it and even had it installed for a few months (it did seem to run quicker with my AMD cpu and graphics but I did seem to have issues with audio and some random crashes, plus with Kubuntu you can do a minimal install which for me even great as I only installed the apps that I wanted plus also I could not install any snaps until I reinstalled the snap backend for discovery which might suit some people.
0 Likes
Quoting: Liam DaweQuoting: fagnerlnTo be the best distro for gaming, it should have support to the major "gaming tools" available, I installed Kubuntu 24.04 on my laptop and had issues trying to compile gamescope, I gave up.Again, normal users are not going to manually look to install and run gamescope. People that reply to these types of articles keep thinking like their power-user stuff applies to everyone. Most people wouldn't have even heard of gamescope.
But it's a decent choice for everyday usage, I'm not fan of KDE but the implementation on Kubuntu is solid, Snaps works fine (I almost forgot that Firefox was as Snap, as it worked seemly), and you can install the "non-snap" Steam easily.
I've been on Linux for almost 20 years now and I couldn't tell you what the *$&# gamescope is or why it's needed off the top of my head, lol.
If you can install the OS, install / open Steam, and play a game, that 99% of the users right there! Kubuntu is a solid distro that just works most of the time. It's great for new users to learn on, has documentation, and plenty of users.
Is it my personal preference? No, I wanted something I could tinker more with that was rolling. But I'm not a general user then, and if I was, I'd prolly look at Ubuntu, Mint, etc.
2 Likes, Who?
This article is just not true at all what so ever.
Ubuntu is one of the worst distro right now due to snaps and mostly outdated packages and kernel and drivers.
Drivers being out of date lacks fixes and performance and same goes for the kernel which matters alot for modern hardware.
kernel being old also means if you choose a new set of hardware you won't have support or at worst bad support and buggy
dated packages also mean more bugs due to taking ages to get them fixed which is never good and has never been good either.
outdated distro tend to lack Xwayland 24.1 which is needed for explicit sync which does not waste frames unlike older methods of sync so wayland runs better over all and nvidia and amd both benifit.
last as someone who does Distro testing over 26 years Ubuntu was always the worst on the list and the slowest compared to modern distro's like arch and fedora just do better and gain more experience.
The best right now is cachyos which is the most optimized distro to date and it's the most user friendly!
Optimized Performance: CachyOS is designed with performance optimization in mind, making it ideal for gaming. It includes various kernels and desktop environments tailored for gaming, ensuring smooth and responsive gameplay.
Easy Installation: Setting up CachyOS is straightforward. It comes with a meta package that includes all the necessary gaming-related packages, making the installation process quick and hassle-free.
Wide Range of Software: CachyOS provides access to a vast array of gaming software and tools, including emulators, game launchers, and performance monitoring tools.
Active Community: The CachyOS community is active and supportive, offering help and advice to users. This makes troubleshooting and getting the most out of the distro easier.
Regular Updates: CachyOS receives regular updates, ensuring that users have access to the latest software and security patches. This keeps the system stable and up-to-date.
Customizability: Users can customize their CachyOS experience to suit their specific needs. Whether you prefer a minimalistic setup or a feature-rich environment, CachyOS allows for extensive customization.
Focus on Gaming: Unlike other distros that cater to a broad audience, CachyOS is specifically designed for gamers. This focus ensures that gaming performance is prioritized and optimized.
User-Friendly Interface: Despite its powerful capabilities, CachyOS maintains a user-friendly interface, making it accessible to both beginners and experienced users.
Support for Multiple Desktop Environments: CachyOS supports various desktop environments, allowing users to choose the one that best fits their workflow and preferences.
Community-Driven Development: The development of CachyOS is community-driven, meaning that user feedback and contributions play a significant role in shaping the distro. This ensures that the distro evolves to meet the needs of its users.
Might wanna do better when comparing distros
also the second best distro is pikeos4 and 3rd nobara 40
All of this still stand Period and not person opinion but proven and cachyos is climbing while ubuntu is dying for a reason. time to wake up the myth ubuntu is the best is dead and died long ago due to Fedora
Last edited by Mattscreative on 3 December 2024 at 10:04 pm UTC
Ubuntu is one of the worst distro right now due to snaps and mostly outdated packages and kernel and drivers.
Drivers being out of date lacks fixes and performance and same goes for the kernel which matters alot for modern hardware.
kernel being old also means if you choose a new set of hardware you won't have support or at worst bad support and buggy
dated packages also mean more bugs due to taking ages to get them fixed which is never good and has never been good either.
outdated distro tend to lack Xwayland 24.1 which is needed for explicit sync which does not waste frames unlike older methods of sync so wayland runs better over all and nvidia and amd both benifit.
last as someone who does Distro testing over 26 years Ubuntu was always the worst on the list and the slowest compared to modern distro's like arch and fedora just do better and gain more experience.
The best right now is cachyos which is the most optimized distro to date and it's the most user friendly!
Optimized Performance: CachyOS is designed with performance optimization in mind, making it ideal for gaming. It includes various kernels and desktop environments tailored for gaming, ensuring smooth and responsive gameplay.
Easy Installation: Setting up CachyOS is straightforward. It comes with a meta package that includes all the necessary gaming-related packages, making the installation process quick and hassle-free.
Wide Range of Software: CachyOS provides access to a vast array of gaming software and tools, including emulators, game launchers, and performance monitoring tools.
Active Community: The CachyOS community is active and supportive, offering help and advice to users. This makes troubleshooting and getting the most out of the distro easier.
Regular Updates: CachyOS receives regular updates, ensuring that users have access to the latest software and security patches. This keeps the system stable and up-to-date.
Customizability: Users can customize their CachyOS experience to suit their specific needs. Whether you prefer a minimalistic setup or a feature-rich environment, CachyOS allows for extensive customization.
Focus on Gaming: Unlike other distros that cater to a broad audience, CachyOS is specifically designed for gamers. This focus ensures that gaming performance is prioritized and optimized.
User-Friendly Interface: Despite its powerful capabilities, CachyOS maintains a user-friendly interface, making it accessible to both beginners and experienced users.
Support for Multiple Desktop Environments: CachyOS supports various desktop environments, allowing users to choose the one that best fits their workflow and preferences.
Community-Driven Development: The development of CachyOS is community-driven, meaning that user feedback and contributions play a significant role in shaping the distro. This ensures that the distro evolves to meet the needs of its users.
Might wanna do better when comparing distros
also the second best distro is pikeos4 and 3rd nobara 40
All of this still stand Period and not person opinion but proven and cachyos is climbing while ubuntu is dying for a reason. time to wake up the myth ubuntu is the best is dead and died long ago due to Fedora
Last edited by Mattscreative on 3 December 2024 at 10:04 pm UTC
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