Fedora AlternativesTop Linux Distros & Operating Systems like Fedora

Fedora is described as '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' and is a leading Linux Distro in the os & utilities category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Fedora for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Windows, BSD, Self-Hosted and Chrome OS apps. The best Fedora alternative is Linux Mint, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Fedora are Ubuntu, Debian, Arch Linux and openSUSE.

Fedora iconFedora
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Fedora creates an innovative, free, and open source platform for hardware, clouds, and containers that enables software...

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Fedora alternatives page was last updated Jan 26, 2025
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  1. Linux Mint icon

    Linux Mint

     1119 likes
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    Elegant Linux desktop OS based on Ubuntu and Debian, featuring unique menus, web-based package installation, full multimedia codecs, browser plugins, custom configuration tools, community feedback, robust updates, and approximately 30,000 available packages.

    176 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 Fedora

     
    Comments about Linux Mint as an Alternative to Fedora
    valerie
    Dec 6, 2022
    1

    Mint focuses more on a Windows-like Desktop Environment with Cinnamon, but overall, if you're used to Linux, it's better off to go with Fedora. Fedora ships with Wayland and Pipewire, they implement new technologies faster, and there are no real caveats.

    (Before you mention software support, most main-stream software contain support for Fedora in some way or another, with a rpm, appimage, or Flatpak.

    Not Yourbusiness
    Positive Jan 21, 2025
    0

    The transfer from Windows to Linux Mint is most likely the easiest.

    Fedora Icon
    Linux Mint icon

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

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

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

    • Linux Mint is Free and Open SourceFedora is also Free and Open Source
    • Linux Mint is Customizable, Lightweight and Privacy focusedFedora 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.

    160 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.  Support for .deb files
    7.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    8.  Kde support
    9.  Works Offline
    10.  Ad-free
    11.  OTA Updates
    12.  Debian package compatible

    Ubuntu VS Fedora

     
    Comments about Ubuntu as an Alternative to Fedora
    Most Recent Comment
    John Fastman
    Negative Apr 18, 2018
    12

    As of 2018, Ubuntu's installer will collect data about user devices. This has caused outrage amongst Linux users. Firstly, it's opt-out, rather than opt-in. Secondly, it shouldn't even be there. Thirdly, Canonical (Ubuntu's creators) have a very poor record on privacy, including harvesting local searches to drive Amazon sales and hostility to critics or their privacy practices. Try Linux Mint or Manjaro instead.

    Joseph Leskey
    Positive Jan 26, 2025
    1

    Though I prefer Fedora and consider openSUSE a better alternative, Ubuntu is not without its perks. If you prefer a slower pace when it comes to updates, solid stability, and broad support, Ubuntu is a decent option, and it is very easy to use. It is extremely popular for good reason. It has had some controversy over telemetry and its snap packages, but it remains a considerably better operating system than others I could mention.

    Kdwk
    Positive Nov 24, 2020
    1

    Solid, robust and powerful Ubuntu base with the latest Gnome desktop available. Some of the most painless proprietary software installation experiences on Linux, e.g. Nvidia drivers.

    Fedora Icon
    Ubuntu icon

    • Most users think Ubuntu is a great Fedora alternative.

    • Ubuntu is Free and Open SourceFedora is also Free and Open Source
    • Ubuntu is Customizable and LightweightFedora is not according to our users
  4. Debian icon

    Debian

     1125 likes
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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.

    190 Debian alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • International

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    Debian 9 gnome.

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Low memory usage
    2.  No Tracking
    3.  Package Control
    4.  Based on Debian
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  No registration required
    7.  Command line interface
    8.  Dark Mode
    9.  Works Offline
    10.  Multiple desktops
    11.  Debian package compatible
    12.  Portable

    Debian VS Fedora

     
    Comments about Debian as an Alternative to Fedora
    Guest
    Negative Jun 25, 2021
    0

    There is no support for newer hardware, particularly Network Adapters that require “non-free” drivers. I never had this issue with Fedora, Linux Mint, or Ubuntu by the way.

    Fedora Icon
    Debian icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Debian is a great Fedora alternative.

    • Debian is the most popular Windows & Self-Hosted alternative to Fedora.

    • Debian is Free and Open SourceFedora is also Free and Open Source
    • Debian is Customizable, Lightweight and Privacy focusedFedora is not according to our users
  5. Arch Linux icon

    Arch Linux

     764 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

    • CA flagCanada

    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 Fedora

     
  6. openSUSE icon

    openSUSE

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

    185 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 Fedora

     
    Comments about openSUSE as an Alternative to Fedora
    Most Recent Comment
    Joseph Leskey
    Positive Jan 26, 2025
    0

    Much like Fedora, OpenSUSE boasts a large collection of extremely up-to-date packages, operates extremely smoothly, heavily supports the open source ecosystem, and benefits from a large community and corporate backing.

    John Fastman
    Positive Jan 2, 2017
    3

    OpenSuse is probably the closest alternative to Fedora (other than the commercial RedHat). Both OpenSuse and Fedora the .rpm packages. They come with different desktop environments by default, but you can install whatever you like once you have it up and running.

    Guest
    Positive Aug 6, 2021
    0

    It's underrated. Yast is much better way of configuring your system as well as adding software.

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    3 of 4 comments
    Fedora Icon
    openSUSE icon

    • Almost everyone thinks openSUSE is a great Fedora alternative.

    • openSUSE is Free and Open SourceFedora is also Free and Open Source
    • openSUSE is Customizable and Privacy focusedFedora is not according to our users
  7. Manjaro Linux icon

    Manjaro Linux

     326 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...

    173 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 Fedora

     
  9. elementary OS icon

    elementary OS

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

    193 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 Fedora

     
    Comments about elementary OS as an Alternative to Fedora
    Not Yourbusiness
    Positive Jan 21, 2025
    0

    Visually pleasing, and easy-to-use.

    Fedora Icon
    elementary OS icon

    • Almost everyone thinks elementary OS is a great Fedora alternative.

    • elementary OS is Free and Open SourceFedora is also Free and Open Source
    • elementary OS is LightweightFedora is not according to our users
  10. Windows 10 icon

    Windows 10

     412 likes
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    Versatile OS with universal app architecture, free first-year offer for Windows 7 and 8.1 users, redesigned mouse-touch UI, virtual desktop, Microsoft Edge, upgraded security, and enhanced graphics for gaming, supporting fingerprint and face recognition login.

    177 Windows 10 alternatives

    License model

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Windows 10 screenshot 1
    Discontinued

    After October 14, 2025, Windows 10 will no longer receive free software updates, technical support, or security fixes. Microsoft suggests to upgrade to Windows 11 icon Windows 11 : https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2024/10/31/how-to-prepare-for-windows-10-end-of-support-by-moving-to-windows-11-today/

    Windows 10 Features

    1.  Auto Update
    2.  Usability
    3.  PowerShell Scripting
    4. Microsoft OneDrive icon  Onedrive integration
    5.  Works Offline
    6.  Tablet support
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  No registration required
    9.  Xbox Streaming
    10.  Binary packages

    Windows 10 VS Fedora

     
    Comments about Windows 10 as an Alternative to Fedora
    ab1
    Negative Dec 29, 2020
    0

    applications of Windows and Linux aren't directly compatible

    Joseph Leskey
    Negative Jan 26, 2025
    0

    Windows is not a good alternative for Fedora. Fedora is known for its commitment to software freedom and the user-centered benefits that often go along with that (such as privacy and adaptability), whereas Windows is quite locked-down. The technology stacks of the two operating systems are wildly different, and programs are not necessary suitable for both platforms. Fedora also typically has a lighter footprint.

    Fedora Icon
    Windows 10 icon

    • This alternative is disputed. Windows 10 is a legitimate Fedora alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.

    • Windows 10 is the most popular commercial alternative to Fedora.

    • Windows 10 is Paid and ProprietaryFedora is Free and Open Source
  11. Kubuntu icon

    Kubuntu

     276 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.

    195 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.  User friendly
    4.  Customizable

    Features

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

    Kubuntu VS Fedora

     
9 of 180 Fedora alternatives