The Best Debian AlternativesTop Linux Distros & Operating Systems like Debian

Debian is described as 'The Debian Project is an association of individuals who have made common cause to create a free operating system. This operating system that we have created is called Debian' and is a leading Linux Distro in the os & utilities category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Debian for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Windows, BSD, Self-Hosted and Fedora apps. The best Debian alternative is Linux Mint, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Debian are Ubuntu, Arch Linux, Fedora and Manjaro Linux.

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Debian alternatives are mainly Linux Distros but may also be Operating Systems. Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Debian.
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The Debian Project is an association of individuals who have made common cause to create a free operating system. This operating system that we have created is called Debian.

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Debian alternatives page was last updated Mar 28, 2025
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Alternatives
  1. Linux Mint icon

    Linux Mint

     1109 likes
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    Linux Mint is one of the most popular desktop Linux distributions and used by millions of people. The purpose of Linux Mint is to produce a modern, elegant and comfortable operating system which is both powerful and easy to use. Latest: Wilma (22).

    178 Linux Mint alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • IE flagIreland
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Linux Mint screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  User friendly
    3.  Lightweight
    4.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Windows-like
    2.  Based on Ubuntu
    3.  Support for Nvidia drivers
    4.  Cinnamon Desktop
    5.  Debian package compatible
    6.  Linux-based
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Out Of The Box
    9.  No Tracking
    10.  Dark Mode
    11.  Community-based
    12.  Built-in File Manager

    Linux Mint VS Debian

     
    Comments about Linux Mint as an Alternative to Debian
    alexandredarochacelestino
    Positive •Sep 12, 2017
    5

    User friendly interface, pack of apps. Pre configured with java and flash.

    Guest
    Positive •May 2, 2020
    -1

    Not much an alternative, but alongside with Manjaro it's fairly, useful, sleek and intuitive to use from everyone coming from macOS or Windows. I think Debian it's more powerful, but it has it's learning curve.

    Debian Icon
    Linux Mint icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Linux Mint is a great Debian alternative.

    • Linux Mint is the most popular Linux alternative to Debian.

    • Linux Mint is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Debian.

    • Linux Mint is Free and Open SourceDebian is also Free and Open Source
    • Linux Mint is Customizable, Lightweight and Privacy focusedDebian is not according to our users
  2. Ubuntu icon

    Ubuntu

     2347 likes
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    Ubuntu is a community developed, Linux-based operating system that is perfect for laptops, desktops and servers. It contains all the applications you need - a web browser, presentation, document and spreadsheet software, instant messaging and much more.

    158 Ubuntu alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Ubuntu
    Ubuntu 24.04 with Gnome 46

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  User friendly
    3.  Lightweight
    4.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  Linux-based
    2.  Based on Debian
    3.  APT package manager
    4.  Support for Unicode
    5.  No registration required
    6.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    7.  Kde support
    8.  Support for .deb files
    9.  Works Offline
    10.  Ad-free
    11.  OTA Updates
    12.  Debian package compatible

    Ubuntu VS Debian

     
    Comments about Ubuntu as an Alternative to Debian
    LindsayBinsThompson
    Positive •Oct 18, 2017
    -23

    Ubuntu is best alternative by their quality OS

    Debian Icon
    Ubuntu icon

    • Most users think Ubuntu is a great Debian alternative.

    • Ubuntu is Free and Open SourceDebian is also Free and Open Source
    • Ubuntu is Customizable and LightweightDebian is not according to our users
  4. Arch Linux icon

    Arch Linux

     753 likes
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    Arch Linux is an independently developed, x86_64 optimized GNU/Linux distribution targeted at competent Linux users. It uses pacman, its home-grown package manager, to provide updates to the latest software applications with full dependency tracking.

    191 Arch Linux alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Linux
    arch with KDE 4.4 desktop

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  Minimalistic
    4.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Rolling Release
    2.  Arch User Repository
    3.  Wiki documentation
    4.  Community-based
    5.  Linux-based
    6.  Bleeding edge
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  Ad-free
    9.  Command line interface
    10.  No registration required
    11.  Package Control
    12.  Works Offline

    Arch Linux VS Debian

     
    Comments about Arch Linux as an Alternative to Debian
    Most Recent Comment
    Kelson V
    Positive •Mar 28, 2025
    0

    Usually more current than Debian, but also more of a pain to set up a new system, and doesn't run on as many architectures.

    OAKSIF0
    Positive •Jul 4, 2018
    -3

    If you want something stable and more customizable with support and a better package managing system Arch Linux is for you. You can even use debtap to convert Debian packages to an Arch Package, there are other 3rd party programs that can do that too.

    Guest
    Positive •Mar 19, 2016
    -7

    Also light and configurable, ArchLinux is a much more up to date, and stays that way all the time. Its package manager is also much faster and easier to use.

    Debian Icon
    Arch Linux icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Arch Linux is a great Debian alternative.

    • Arch Linux is Free and Open SourceDebian is also Free and Open Source
    • Arch Linux is Customizable, Lightweight, Minimalistic and Privacy focusedDebian is not according to our users
  5. Fedora icon

    Fedora

     566 likes
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    Fedora creates an innovative, free, and open source platform for hardware, clouds, and containers that enables software developers and community members to build tailored solutions for their users.

    179 Fedora alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Fedora 38

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Out Of The Box
    2.  Linux-based
    3.  Wayland Support
    4.  Desktop Environment
    5.  No Tracking
    6.  Support for BTRFS
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Unix-like
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  Multiple languages
    11.  Separated workspaces
    12.  Rolling Release

    Fedora VS Debian

     
  6. Manjaro Linux icon

    Manjaro Linux

     327 likes
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    Manjaro is a user-friendly Linux distribution based on the independently developed Arch operating system. Within the Linux community, Arch itself is renowned for being an exceptionally fast, powerful, and lightweight distribution that provides access to the very latest cutting...

    177 Manjaro Linux alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Arch Linux
    Manjaro 19.0 Kyria (Xfce)

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  User friendly
    4.  Clean design
    5.  Configurable

    Features

    1.  Rolling Release
    2.  Based on Arch Linux
    3.  Arch User Repository
    4.  Community-based
    5.  Linux-based
    6.  Simple installation
    7.  Out Of The Box
    8.  No Tracking
    9.  Support for Nvidia drivers
    10.  Live booting from usb
    11.  Ad-free
    12.  Wiki documentation

    Manjaro Linux VS Debian

     
    Comments about Manjaro Linux as an Alternative to Debian
    Guest
    Positive •Aug 11, 2018
    1

    Arch based and drivers supports

    Debian Icon
    Manjaro Linux icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Manjaro Linux is a great Debian alternative.

    • Manjaro Linux is Free and Open SourceDebian is also Free and Open Source
    • Manjaro Linux is Customizable and LightweightDebian is not according to our users
  7. openSUSE icon

    openSUSE

     334 likes
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    openSUSE is a free and Linux-based operating system for your PC, Laptop or Server.

    186 openSUSE alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Linux
    GNOME desktop in openSUSE Leap 15.2.

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  User friendly
    3.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Kde support
    2.  Linux-based
    3.  Rolling Release
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  No Tracking
    6.  No registration required
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  Community-based

    openSUSE VS Debian

     
  9. elementary OS icon

    elementary OS

     346 likes
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    elementary OS is a free, fast and aesthetically pleasing operating system based on Ubuntu .

    194 elementary OS alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Boot Screen

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Configurable
    3.  Distraction-free

    Features

    1.  macOS-like
    2.  Based on Ubuntu
    3.  Debian package compatible
    4.  Flatpak
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  Consistent UI
    7.  Out Of The Box
    8.  App center
    9.  No Tracking
    10.  No registration required
    11.  Dark Mode
    12.  Works Offline

    elementary OS VS Debian

     
  10. Kubuntu icon

    Kubuntu

     274 likes
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    Kubuntu is an official "flavor" of Ubuntu that uses the KDE Plasma desktop environment. This gives it a completely different look and feel.

    197 Kubuntu alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Kubuntu 19.10 "Eoan Ermine"

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  Customizable
    4.  User friendly

    Features

    1.  Based on Ubuntu
    2.  KDE
    3.  Based on Debian
    4.  No Tracking
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  Rolling Release
    7.  Desktop Application

    Kubuntu VS Debian

     
  11. FreeBSD icon

    FreeBSD

     260 likes
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    FreeBSD is an operating system used to power modern servers, desktops, and embedded platforms. A large community has continually developed it for more than thirty years. Its advanced networking, security, and storage features have made FreeBSD the platform of choice for many of...

    189 FreeBSD alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    FreeBSD screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Unix-like
    2.  Geeky
    3.  ARM support
    4.  Package Control
    5.  No Tracking
    6.  Ad-free

    FreeBSD VS Debian

     
    Comments about FreeBSD as an Alternative to Debian
    OAKSIF0
    Positive •Jul 4, 2018
    2

    Very stable and secure like Debian, but not Linux its BSD based. FreeBSD has been used as a base system for secure computing environments.

    Debian Icon
    FreeBSD icon

    • Almost everyone thinks FreeBSD is a great Debian alternative.

    • FreeBSD is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to Debian.

    • FreeBSD is Free and Open SourceDebian is also Free and Open Source
    • FreeBSD is Privacy focused and LightweightDebian is not according to our users
  12. Zorin OS icon

    Zorin OS

     121 likes
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    Zorin OS is an easy to use, Linux-based operating system designed to make your computer faster, more powerful and secure.

    180 Zorin OS alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • IE flagIreland
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Windows 10 layout

    Properties

    1.  User friendly
    2.  Intuitive Interface
    3.  Customizable
    4.  Lightweight
    5.  Gaming-focused
    6.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Windows like desktop
    2.  Linux-based
    3.  Windows-like
    4.  Out Of The Box
    5.  Run Windows software
    6.  Printer compatibility
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Based on Ubuntu
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  Debian package compatible
    11.  No Tracking
    12.  User Levels

    Zorin OS VS Debian

     
10 of 191 Debian alternatives