Review · Software & SaaS
Spectacle review
KDE's built-in screenshot utility, which also records the screen, a window or a region on Plasma desktops.
By the KeenVerdict research desk · Updated November 10, 2026
- Features (40%)
- 6.4
- Ease of use (30%)
- 9.0
- Value (30%)
- 10.0
Spectacle is KDE's screenshot tool, and on Plasma 6 it also records video, which makes it the fastest option for Kubuntu and KDE neon users. KDE's Plasma 6 announcement describes the recording features: you can record the whole screen, an application window or any arbitrary part of the screen, and a system tray icon shows the elapsed time and ends the recording when clicked. Shortcuts make it quick: Meta+Shift+R for a region, Meta+Alt+R for a screen and Meta+Ctrl+R for a window. Recordings go to ~/Videos/Screencasts, and KDE added quality settings, VP9 encoding, better handling of mixed-scale displays and command line options. Because it is part of Plasma, it costs nothing and updates with the desktop; version 6.8.2 shipped on October 27, 2026. It is not a production tool, though: there is no webcam overlay, audio mixing or scene layout, and it is only practical on KDE.
Who it is for
Kubuntu, KDE neon and other Plasma users who want quick screencasts from keyboard shortcuts without installing anything.
Price
Free with KDE Plasma; no paid plan.
Anyone is welcome to use our software for free, or to help build it
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 10, 2026.
Key features
- Records the whole screen, an application window or any part of the screen
- Shortcuts: Meta+Shift+R for a region, Meta+Alt+R for a screen, Meta+Ctrl+R for a window
- System tray icon shows recording time and stops the recording on click
- Recording quality settings and VP9 encoding
- Command line options for recording
Strengths and weaknesses
- Strength: Ships with KDE Plasma, so there is nothing to install on Kubuntu or KDE neon
- Strength: Keyboard shortcuts start a recording in one step
- Strength: Frequent releases: 6.8.2 came out on October 27, 2026
- Weakness: Only practical on the KDE Plasma desktop
- Weakness: No webcam overlay, audio mixer or scenes
- Weakness: KDE's Spectacle handbook chapter on usage covers screenshots, not recording
Key facts
- Latest version: 6.8.2 (October 2026)
- Desktop: KDE Plasma
- Save location: ~/Videos/Screencasts
- License: GPL-2.0+
Where it ranks
Spectacle is No. 6 in our Best Screen Recorders for Linux verdict.
Alternatives we scored
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