Ubuntu Studio 25.04, affectionately named “Plucky Puffin,” is the latest flight of a creative powerhouse built for artists, musicians, filmmakers, and designers. Packed with production-ready tools and driven by the reliable Ubuntu core, this multimedia-focused Linux distribution continues its mission of simplifying the complex world of digital creation. Whether you're slicing audio tracks, grading video footage, illustrating detailed scenes, or laying out a magazine, Ubuntu Studio gives you the wings to fly. And now with the 36th release, it’s more polished, powerful, and puffin-inspired than ever.
Let’s dive into what makes Ubuntu Studio unique, who it's for, what’s fresh in 25.04, how you can get it, and how it compares to other creative distros out there.
What Is Ubuntu Studio?
Ubuntu Studio is a free and open-source operating system tailored for multimedia production. It was first launched in 2007 and has grown into the go-to distribution for creators who need an integrated suite of tools spanning:
Based on the Ubuntu core, it inherits its foundational stability and community support from Canonical Ltd.—the UK-based company behind Ubuntu. While Canonical maintains the Ubuntu family, Ubuntu Studio is developed independently by a dedicated community team within the Ubuntu Studio Project, part of the broader Ubuntu ecosystem.
Unlike stock Ubuntu, which is aimed at general desktop use, Ubuntu Studio delivers a focused workflow environment equipped with low-latency kernel settings, creative software, and performance optimizations specifically tuned for artists.
Who Made Ubuntu Studio and Why?
Ubuntu Studio is developed by a small but passionate team of volunteers, multimedia professionals, and developers. The project’s core maintainers—such as Erich Eickmeyer and Len Ovens—continue to guide its vision. They built Ubuntu Studio to solve a specific problem: how can Linux serve as a plug-and-play creative platform without needing endless manual configuration?
The goal was simple yet ambitious: to provide an out-of-the-box creative workstation that empowers musicians, filmmakers, and designers while maintaining the freedom and security of open-source software. And for almost two decades, they've delivered.
Who Is Ubuntu Studio For?
If you’re a:
Musician wanting to produce or record in a latency-sensitive DAW,
Podcaster recording and editing with tools like Ardour and Audacity,
Filmmaker needing pro-level editing and effects with KDEnlive or Blender,
Photographer or Illustrator crafting beautiful visuals with GIMP, Krita, or Darktable,
Graphic Designer or Publisher laying out books and brochures in Scribus…
Ubuntu Studio is built for you.
Whether you're a seasoned creative or just starting out, it offers tools with professional capability and a community that embraces open collaboration.
Release Rhythm & The “Plucky Puffin” Schedule
Ubuntu Studio follows Ubuntu’s release cadence, meaning:
Two releases per year: one in April (.04) and one in October (.10).
Regular (non-LTS) releases receive 9 months of support, while LTS (Long-Term Support) releases get 3 years.
Ubuntu Studio 25.04 “Plucky Puffin” was officially released on April 17, 2025, and will receive updates until January 2026.
Ubuntu Studio Through Time: A Mini Timeline
2007 – Ubuntu Studio 7.04 (first release)
2010 – Gained popularity among audio creators
2020 – Switched default desktop from XFCE to KDE Plasma
2020 – Ubuntu Studio 20.04 LTS redefined the distro’s direction
2023 – Major app version refreshes and UEFI boot improvements
2025 – Ubuntu Studio 25.04 continues its evolution with KDE Plasma 6, PipeWire 1.2.7, and multimedia suite upgrades
What’s New in Ubuntu Studio 25.04 “Plucky Puffin”?
1. Fresh KDE Plasma 6.3.3 Desktop
Now running the modernized KDE Plasma 6.3.3 with improved workflows, animations, and layout options. (On Tuesday, 1 April 2025, KDE released a bugfix update to KDE Plasma 6, versioned 6.3.4)
Dynamic default panel adapts automatically to installed applications—no more empty icon placeholders!
2. Multimedia Software Upgrades
🎚 Audio Production
PipeWire 1.2.7 delivers superior handling of audio streams and JACK compatibility.
Audacity 3.7.3 and Ardour 8.12.0 bring advanced recording, editing, and mixing features.
RaySession 0.14.4 continues to make managing JACK sessions easy.
Updated lsp-plugins 1.2.21 for expanded effects and processing.
🎥 Video Editing
KDEnlive 24.12.3 brings timeline and render engine improvements.
Blender 4.3.2 with its latest VFX, modeling, and animation updates.
Freeshow 1.3.9 for video cue and presentation control.
🖌 Graphic Design & Photography
GIMP 3.0.0, finally stable with major UI refinements and multi-layer editing.
Krita 5.2.9 enhances digital painting with performance boosts.
digiKam 8.5.0 and Darktable 5.0.1 for comprehensive RAW editing and photo management.
📰 Desktop Publishing
Installation and Download Options
Ubuntu Studio 25.04 is available in ISO format for:
⚠ The ISO is over 4 GB, so burning to DVD isn’t advised. Use an 8 GB (or larger) USB flash drive for installation.
📥 Download Options:
Installation Methods:
You can:
Install on a clean hard drive
Dual boot alongside Windows, macOS, or another Linux distro
Replace an existing OS (with full disk wipe)
Install in a virtual machine for testing
System Requirements:
64-bit processor
4 GB RAM minimum (8+ GB recommended)
25 GB of disk space
Graphics card capable of 1024x768 resolution
USB port or DVD-R drive for installation media
Upgrading from Ubuntu Studio 22.04, 24.04, or 24.10
If you're running a previous version, upgrading is smooth and safe.
Recommended Steps:
Backup your data.
To manually upgrade, ensure the package press Alt+Space to invoke Krunner, and type the following:
do-release-upgrade -m desktop -f DistUpgradeViewKDE |
Alternatively, you can do this from the Konsole terminal:
do-release-upgrade -m desktop |
Or just wait—Ubuntu Studio will notify you via the system tray when the upgrade becomes available.
🚨 Using -d forces an early upgrade but is not recommended for stability.
Ubuntu Studio Installer: Add Tools to Other Flavours
Want the creative toolset of Ubuntu Studio on Kubuntu, Xubuntu, or even Ubuntu Desktop?
Use the Ubuntu Studio Installer, available via:
sudo apt install ubuntustudio-installer |
This tool lets you pick and install audio, video, and graphics creation packages without switching distros.
Support and Contribution
You’re never alone on this journey. Ubuntu Studio is supported by a helpful and enthusiastic community.
🆘 Get Help:
🤝 Contribute:
How It Compares to Other Creative Distros
Ubuntu Studio isn’t the only artist-centric distro, but it strikes a powerful balance between stability, performance, and ease-of-use. Here's how it compares:
🎨 Fedora Design Suite
Focuses more on graphic design and UI/UX tools.
Uses GNOME desktop and Fedora's bleeding-edge base.
Doesn’t emphasize audio/video production.
🎛 Decibel Linux (Gentoo-based)
Ultra-configurable for audio professionals.
Uses Gentoo's source-based flexibility.
Best for advanced users—setup is more complex.
🎼 LibraZiK (Debian-based)
Tuned for musicians and audio engineers.
Excellent JACK support and audio-focused tweaks.
Interface feels dated compared to KDE Plasma in Ubuntu Studio.
🎥 AV Linux (MX Linux-based)
Powerful media suite pre-installed.
Offers real-time kernels and custom tweaks.
MATE desktop is lighter but lacks Plasma’s modern polish.
Ubuntu Studio shines with its KDE Plasma 6 desktop, balanced software stack, and easy access to Ubuntu repositories, while still catering to serious creators.
Final Thoughts
Ubuntu Studio 25.04 “Plucky Puffin” isn’t just another Linux distro—it’s a multimedia studio in a box. Whether you're mixing beats, editing short films, touching up portraits, or preparing a zine, Ubuntu Studio equips you with all the right tools.
It represents what open-source should be: powerful, accessible, and built for the people who make things.
⚠ Disclaimer:
Ubuntu, Ubuntu Studio, Canonical, and all mentioned software are registered trademarks of their respective owners. This article is intended for educational and informational purposes under fair use.
🔗 References:
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