The best open source alternative to Linux Mint is Ubuntu. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Linux Mint and many of them is open source so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to Linux Mint are Fedora, Arch Linux, Manjaro Linux and Zorin OS.
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.
Ubuntu is less inituitive and takes up more resources
Ubuntu is more stable and more up-to-date than Mint. Without Ubuntu, there's no Mint. But I like both.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Natively doesn't support some wireless drivers
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...
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 :)
Its a different repo base but the UI looks like the one from Linux Mint
Cant really say. Linux mint is getting slower and slower. Manjaro is an option, if Manjaro has a 32 bit version that is.
Linux-based OS designed for familiar user experience, mimicking Windows or macOS, supports dual-boot, runs Windows apps via WINE, pre-installed essential software, customizable desktop layouts, broad hardware compatibility, and privacy-focused updates.
Zorin OS has better looks, it's more polished and intuitive. Also Zorin OS has vibrant development team behind it.
openSUSE is a free and Linux-based operating system for your PC, Laptop or Server.
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
It has many bugs and software problems
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.
Qubes is an open source operating system designed to provide strong security for desktop computing.
Qubes is fantastic for security freaks. It runs programs in disposable VMs so that things can't cross contaminate/infect each other. But this is a hassle and far from what the average Ubuntu user will want from their system. Huge thumbs up for Qubes, but just not as an Ubuntu replacement.
Qubes OS does not come with any applications and I can't even put anything in a virtual machine because the virtualization engine is broken.
NixOS is a GNU/Linux distribution that aims to improve the state of the art in system configuration management. In existing distributions, actions such as upgrades are dangerous: upgrading a package can cause other packages to break, upgrading an entire system is much less...
Gentoo Linux is a versatile, fast, highly configurable and completely free Linux and FreeBSD distribution geared towards developers and network professionals.
gentoo is an unstable distro that makes you compile everything from scratch. it's advanced, and it expects you to know a lot about linux. it's also very, very unstable. any update could force you to recompile your kernel, at any point.
Ubuntu Mate is a stable, easy-to-use operating system with a configurable desktop environment. Ideal for those who want the most out of their desktops, laptops and netbooks and prefer a traditional desktop metaphor.
It has a very similar desktop experience to Linux Mint which comes with the Cinnamon and MATE desktops. It is close to the same system actually.
Solus Operating System is a Linux distribution built from scratch, exclusively for desktop systems. There is no scope-creep associated with generic platforms, and the project aims to provide a modern and focused desktop-centric solution, that is designed to keep out of the way...
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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.