Linux Mint Alternatives

Linux Mint is described as '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: Vera (21.1)' and is a leading operating system in the os & utilities category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Linux Mint for a variety of platforms, including Linux, BSD, Self-Hosted solutions, Windows and Electrum. The best alternative is Ubuntu, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Linux Mint are Debian, Arch Linux, Fedora and Manjaro Linux.

Linux Mint alternatives are mainly Operating Systems but may also be Linux Distros. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Linux Mint.

This page was last updated

Linux Mint

1012

Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux

Linux Mint is one of the most popular desktop Linux distributions and used by millions of people. The purpose of Linux Mint...

Learn more about Linux Mint

Ubuntu
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
Ubuntu
200 alternatives to Ubuntu
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.
Suggest and vote on features
Ubuntu Features
1. Support for scriptingUbuntu supports scripts and macros to automate or customize tasks.
2. PortableUbuntu can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
3. LightweightUbuntu consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
4. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsUbuntu can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
Linux-based
Customizable
Based on Debian
User friendly
APT package manager
Support for Unicode
OTA Updates
Kde support
KDE
X server
Ubuntu vs Linux Mint opinions
Some users think Ubuntu is a great alternative to Linux Mint, some don't.
AegisCZ
Ubuntu is less inituitive and takes up more resources
Negative comment•
22

JohnFastman
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.
Negative comment•
12

felippehd
Ubuntu is more stable and more up-to-date than Mint. Without Ubuntu, there's no Mint. But I like both.
Positive comment•
-9
Debian
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Windows
Linux
Windows S
BSD
Self-Hosted
229 alternatives to Debian
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.
Suggest and vote on features
Debian Features
1. Rolling ReleaseDebian supports updates that are continuously rolled out, rather than in batches of versions.
2. No TrackingDebian will not track you or use your personal data.
3. LightweightDebian consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
4. Privacy focusedDebian is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
5. Ad-freeDebian doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
Customizable
Low memory usage
Package Control
Based on Debian
Debian vs Linux Mint opinions
Most users think Debian is a great alternative to Linux Mint.
JohnFastman
Mint and other Ubuntu-based Linuxes are actually all based themselves on Debian "under-the-hood". So Debian is compatible with these and so might be a good alternative for that reason (e.g. uses .deb files to install software). However, Debian is less user-friendly and, in my experience, can be a headache to install. On the plus side, it's rock solid stable and therefore a good choice for servers as long as you keep it up to date for security purposes.
Positive comment•
8

Guest
Debian doesn't have a GUI for managing properietary drivers and doesn't allow users to install them easily due to its philosophy. That's a thing that lot of users forget or even don't tell you about Debian.
Negative comment•
6

tier50obby
due to the anti-proprietary ethics of the debian team, all drivers are open-source, and proprietary drivers are both hard to install and generally have a hit-or-miss chance of working.

though, it is stable, i can't say that for many other distros. also, wireless adapters are...a thing.
Negative comment•
0

Guest
There is no support for common Wireless Network Adapters like there is in Fedora, Ubuntu, or Linux Mint. Also, Debian has not been updated in a good while and I do not think it is a well maintained distro.
Negative comment•
0
Arch Linux
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
215 alternatives to Arch Linux
Arch Linux is an independently developed, i686- and x86_64-optimised 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.
Suggest and vote on features
Arch Linux Features
1. Rolling ReleaseArch Linux supports updates that are continuously rolled out, rather than in batches of versions.
2. LightweightArch Linux consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
3. No TrackingArch Linux will not track you or use your personal data.
4. Ad-freeArch Linux doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
5. Privacy focusedArch Linux is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
Customizable
Arch User Repository
Wiki documentation
Minimalistic
Community-based
Bleeding edge
Linux-based
FOSS
Package Control
ARM support
Arch Linux vs Linux Mint opinions
Some users think Arch Linux is a great alternative to Linux Mint, some don't.
JohnFastman
Arch linux is a difficult to get into distro for beginners or even average users because it requires a detailed knowledge of how you want the system setup and to be able to do this from the command line prompt. However, for those wanting an Arch-based distro that is even more user friendly than Mint, try Manjaro: comes in many different flavours, works "out-of-the-box" all times I've tried it, has faster responses to security vulnerabilities and has great community support.
Negative comment•
4

AegisCZ
Natively doesn't support some wireless drivers
Negative comment•
0
Fedora
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
221 alternatives to Fedora
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.
Suggest and vote on features
Fedora Features
1. No TrackingFedora will not track you or use your personal data.
2. Privacy focusedFedora is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. Ad-freeFedora doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. Rolling ReleaseFedora supports updates that are continuously rolled out, rather than in batches of versions.
5. LightweightFedora consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Out Of The Box
Linux-based
Customizable
Wayland Support
Unix-like
Multiple languages
Support for BTRFS
FOSS
Separated workspaces
Key rebinding
Fedora vs Linux Mint opinions
Most users think Fedora is a great alternative to Linux Mint.
Guest
It supports the latest technologies, and has great driver support built in for recent hardware. It works right after install, and it's easy to use and maintain. Without a doubt, my favourite!
Positive comment•
1
Manjaro Linux
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
Arch Linux
239 alternatives to Manjaro Linux
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...
Suggest and vote on features
Manjaro Linux Features
1. Rolling ReleaseManjaro Linux supports updates that are continuously rolled out, rather than in batches of versions.
2. LightweightManjaro Linux consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
3. No TrackingManjaro Linux will not track you or use your personal data.
Based on Arch Linux
Arch User Repository
Customizable
User friendly
Community-based
Linux-based
Out Of The Box
Clean design
Simple installation
Support for Nvidia drivers
Manjaro Linux vs Linux Mint opinions
Almost everyone thinks Manjaro Linux is a great alternative to Linux Mint.
Guest
Its a different repo base but the UI looks like the one from Linux Mint
Positive comment•
4

Guest
Cant really say. Linux mint is getting slower and slower. Manjaro is an option, if Manjaro has a 32 bit version that is.
Positive comment•
0

NikWillOrStuff
Manjaro (especially the KDE edition) has a fairly similar overall interface and feature set, plus it's based on Arch! It's also the first linux distro I've tried and didn't run into issues or missing features :)
Positive comment•
2
Tails
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
Electrum
Tor Browser Bundle
GNOME
Tor
VeraCrypt
Thunderbird
116 alternatives to Tails
The Amnesic Incognito Live System (Tails) is a Debian 9 based live CD/USB with the goal of providing complete Internet anonymity for the user. The product ships with several Internet applications, including web browser, IRC client, mail client...
Suggest and vote on features
Tails Features
1. Privacy focusedTails is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
2. No TrackingTails will not track you or use your personal data.
3. Ad-freeTails doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. LightweightTails consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
5. PGP EncryptionTails supports PGP, an encryption system used for sending encrypted emails and files.
6. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Tails without registration.
Tor
Booting from USB
Online Anonymity
Security focused
Based on Debian
Compatible with TrueCrypt
Support for TOR
RAM Scraping Protection
Lock screen controls
Cold Boot Protection
Tails vs Linux Mint opinions
Some users think Tails is a great alternative to Linux Mint, some don't.
tier50obby
tails is a live system. it's in the name. if you're using it for anonymity, go right ahead, but if you're using it for daily use, then good luck trying to fit anything into persistent storage, and not lose your sanity dealing with tor.

tl;dr: use it for anonymity, and nothing else.
Positive comment•
0

Guest
Tails is for dissidents/activists and everyone else who needs superb privacy. Everything else is basically ignored by tails. Its the worst of all alternatives to ubuntu.
Negative comment•
0
elementary OS
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
228 alternatives to elementary OS
elementary OS is a free, fast and aesthetically pleasing operating system based on Ubuntu .
Suggest and vote on features
elementary OS Features
1. Lightweightelementary OS consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Distraction-freeelementary OS has a distraction-free mode for when you need to focus.
macOS-like
Based on Ubuntu
Debian package compatible
Configurable
Flatpak
App center
Consistent UI
Out Of The Box
Unix kernel
elementary OS vs Linux Mint opinions
Almost everyone thinks elementary OS is a great alternative to Linux Mint.
JohnFastman
For a long time Linux Mint has been considered ideal for beginners because 1) it's 100% Ubuntu-compatible (and therefore enjoys large community support and compatibility with many apps) and because it's "user-friendly"-focused. Elementary achieves all the same goals using an even more user friendly user interface. Mint servers were also hacked in early 2016, so take from that what you will.
Positive comment•
3

Guest
If you're used to Mac OS style, you'll be pleased when using Elementay OS since it ressembles Apple system. Its desktop environment is known as Pantheon and it's based on Ubuntu.
Positive comment•
1
openSUSE
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
218 alternatives to openSUSE
openSUSE is a free and Linux-based operating system for your PC, Laptop or Server.
Suggest and vote on features
openSUSE Features
1. Rolling ReleaseopenSUSE supports updates that are continuously rolled out, rather than in batches of versions.
2. Ad-freeopenSUSE doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. No TrackingopenSUSE will not track you or use your personal data.
4. Privacy focusedopenSUSE is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
Kde support
Customizable
User friendly
Linux-based
Community-based
openSUSE vs Linux Mint opinions
Most users think openSUSE is a great alternative to Linux Mint.
tier50obby
opensuse was designed for enterprise use, and it's not much good outside of enterprise use. iirc most drivers are hit-or-miss, and the UI is clunky and unintuitive.

its okay (i suppose) for enterprise use, but against mint -- which you're probably using for daily use -- its a terrible option
Negative comment•
0

Guest
It has many bugs and software problems
Negative comment•
0
Pop!_OS
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
218 alternatives to Pop!_OS
Pop!_OS is an operating system for STEM and creative professionals who use their computer as a tool to discover and create. Unleash your potential on secure, reliable open source software. Based on your exceptional curiosity, we sense you have a lot of it.
Suggest and vote on features
Pop!_OS Features
1. Ad-freePop!_OS doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
2. Privacy focusedPop!_OS is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. No TrackingPop!_OS will not track you or use your personal data.
Customizable
Based on Ubuntu
User friendly
Linux-based
Automatic window tiling
Content creators
Configurable
Kubuntu
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
228 alternatives to Kubuntu
Kubuntu is an official "flavor" of Ubuntu that uses the KDE Plasma desktop environment. This gives it a completely different look and feel.
Suggest and vote on features
Kubuntu Features
1. No TrackingKubuntu will not track you or use your personal data.
2. Privacy focusedKubuntu is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. Ad-freeKubuntu doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
Based on Ubuntu
KDE
Customizable
Based on Debian
User friendly
Desktop Application
Kubuntu vs Linux Mint opinions
JohnFastman
Kubuntu = Ubuntu - the Gnome desktop + the KDE Plasma desktop. It's Ubuntu with a different face. Which desktop you like is a matter of preference. There is also KDE Neon, which is like Kubuntu but you get the very latest KDE Plasma updates as soon as they're out.
Positive comment•
2