Linux Mint Alternatives for Windows

Linux Mint is not available for Windows but there are plenty of alternatives that runs on Windows with similar functionality. The best Windows alternative is Debian, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Linux Mint and 16 are available for Windows so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Windows alternatives to Linux Mint are ReactOS, Windows 11, MINIX 3 and Revision (ReviOS).

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.

Linux Mint

1039

Free • Open Source
Operating System

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

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Debian
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Windows
Linux
BSD
Self-Hosted
234 Debian alternatives
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.
- - Debian is the most popular Windows & Self-Hosted alternative to Linux Mint.
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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.
6. Command line interfaceDebian either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
7. Dark ModeDebian supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
8. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Debian without registration.
9. PortableDebian can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Customizable
Low memory usage
Package Control
Based on Debian
Comments about Debian as a Alternative to Linux Mint
Most users think Debian is a great Linux Mint alternative.
John Fastman
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.
Top positive comment •
8

Open Sourced
Debian's stability, independence and software compratibility are well established. Ubuntu (and its derivatives) and LinuxMint, to name but the best-known, are based on Debian, precisely because of its stability and trustworthiness. It's important to remember that Debian is offered with several different installation media, including the Calamares installer.
Top positive comment •
0

valerie
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.
Top 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

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 •
7
ReactOS
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Windows
FreeDOS
196 ReactOS alternatives
ReactOS™ is an Open Source effort to develop a quality operating system that is compatible with applications and drivers written for the Microsoft® Windows™ NT family of operating systems (NT4, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, Seven).
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ReactOS Features
1. LightweightReactOS consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Windows XP Compatibility
Run Windows software
Nt kernel
Windows-like
Support for BTRFS
Community-based
Comments about ReactOS as a Alternative to Linux Mint
Some users think ReactOS is a great Linux Mint alternative, some don't.
valerie
reactos is a reverse-engineering of windows, designed to use windows programs, drivers etc. it's outdated, and it's still in alpha, despite having decades of work done on it. most of it isn't stable, and you get constant blue-screens.
Positive comment •
-1

Guest
Some people chose Linux Mint because they had a bunch of Windows 98/XP games on CDs that they cannot run on newer versions of Windows because it is very easy to install and configure Wine and PlayOnLinux. ReactOS can run those older games and that makes it a good alternative to Linux Mint for some.
Positive comment •
0

beat_truck
ReactOS is not Linux and is made to run Windows programs. It is also not very well developed or stable yet.
Negative comment •
2
Windows 11
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Operating System
Windows
222 Windows 11 alternatives
Windows 11 provides a calm and creative space where you can pursue your passions through a fresh experience. From a rejuvenated Start menu to new ways to connect to your favorite people, news, games, and content—Windows 11 is the place to think, express, and create in a natural...
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Windows 11 Features
Compatible with Microsoft Office
MINIX 3
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
Self-Hosted
212 MINIX 3 alternatives
MINIX is a POSIX-compliant Unix-like operating system based on a tiny microkernel running in kernel mode with the rest of the operating system running as a number of isolated, protected, processes in user mode.
- - MINIX 3 is the most popular Mac alternative to Linux Mint.
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MINIX 3 Features
1. LightweightMINIX 3 consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Command line interfaceMINIX 3 either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
Unix-like
Embeddable
ARM support
Revision (ReviOS)
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Operating System
Windows
52 Revision (ReviOS) alternatives
ReviOS aspires to re-create what Windows as an operating system should have been - easy and simple.
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Revision (ReviOS) Features
1. Rolling ReleaseRevision (ReviOS) supports updates that are continuously rolled out, rather than in batches of versions.
2. No TrackingRevision (ReviOS) will not track you or use your personal data.
3. Ad-freeRevision (ReviOS) doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. Dark ModeRevision (ReviOS) supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
5. Privacy focusedRevision (ReviOS) is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
6. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Revision (ReviOS) without registration.
7. LightweightRevision (ReviOS) consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
illumos
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Mac
Windows
Linux
184 illumos alternatives
illumos is a free and open-source Unix operating system. It derives from OpenSolaris, which in turn derives from SVR4 UNIX and Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD). illumos comprises a kernel, device drivers, system libraries, and utility software for system administration.
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illumos Features
1. Rolling Releaseillumos supports updates that are continuously rolled out, rather than in batches of versions.
2. No Trackingillumos will not track you or use your personal data.
3. Ad-freeillumos doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. Lightweightillumos consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
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BlackBerry QNX
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Operating System
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
Self-Hosted
175 BlackBerry QNX alternatives
Based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, BlackBerry QNX has provided foundational software for many of the world’s mission-critical embedded systems since 1982. From nuclear power plants, surgical robots and class III life-critical medical devices to autonomous vehicles and brands like...
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BlackBerry QNX Features
Embeddable
ARM support
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DebianDog
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Mac
Windows
Linux
Debian
27 DebianDog alternatives
DebianDog is very small Debian Live CD shaped to look and act like Puppy Linux. Debian structure and Debian behaviour are untouched and Debian documentation is 100% valid for DebianDog. You have access to all debian repositories.
DebianDog has no features, suggest some!
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DAMS OS
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Operating System
Linux Distro
Mac
Windows
Linux
170 DAMS OS alternatives
A Small Debian-based Live OS.
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DAMS OS Features
Based on Debian
Discontinued
Developed stopped in 2013. Last version, 2.0.1s32, released in September 2012, can be still downloaded from SourceForge.