Alternatives to Ubuntu for Linux with any license

  • Linux Mint

    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...

    Free Open Source Linux Ubuntu

    Ad-free Night mode/Dark Theme Built-in File Manager Customizable ... Based on Debian Multiple languages Out Of The Box Privacy focused Based on Ubuntu Windows-like XFCE support Add a feature

    Linux Mint icon
    • Easy to use, nice look and feel, do great out of box except some non-free drivers and multimedia codecs... yugalsaluja • Jul 2017 • 2 agrees and 1 disagrees Disagree   Agree
    • With Linux Mint had Smooth installation without any issues and good experience, Look & Feel can be better for Linux Mint. stable builds With Ubuntu had issues during & post installation & system became unstable, screen freezed couple of times and had to do a hard reboot. Guest • Apr 2018 Disagree   Agree
    • Linux mint support default closed software eg. flash player Guest • Dec 2016 • 2 agrees and 2 disagrees Disagree   Agree
    • faster, more responsive and less heavy on resources Guest • Dec 2016 • 2 agrees and 2 disagrees Disagree   Agree
    • I started at GNU/Linux world by Ubuntu, but I suffered too much to do simple things. Then I gave a try to Mint and my life is so much easier! marriemuller • Apr 2017 • 2 agrees and 2 disagrees Disagree   Agree
    • Linux mint is literally based off the Ubuntu OS. The only significant different is its skin gives it a more windows-y feel Guest • Jun 2016 • 3 agrees and 4 disagrees Disagree   Agree

  • Debian

    WHAT is 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...

    Free Open Source Windows Linux Windows S BSD Self-Hosted

    Rolling release Based on Debian Package Manager Customizable ... Package Control UI customization Add a feature

    Debian icon
    • Ubuntu and it's derivatives (Mint, Kubuntu, KDE Neon, ElementaryOS, Xubuntu, Lubuntu) are all based on Debian. All are compatible with .deb software packages. All are easier than Ubuntu to setup. But Debian has a greater loyalty to the ideals of free and open source software. JohnFastman • Jan 2017 • 6 agrees and 2 disagrees Disagree   Agree
    • It's what Ubuntu is directly based on. It also isn't as hard to use as it used to be. I'd say that anyone who isn't completely new to Linux should be able to use it just fine. Though I'd recommend sticking with the stable branch of Debian if you are still relatively new, then moving to the other branches later on. Buster_Blue • Jan 2018 • 4 agrees and 0 disagrees Disagree   Agree
    • There are no GUI (graphical ways) to install drivers and language packs. Everything should be done using the terminal. 2. Their website is very confusing for newbies to understand 3. The main ISO doesn't have proprietary stuff included, like proprietary drivers 4. You can use ppas like Ubuntu 5. No snap support as default 5. Complex installer 6. The packages are very old to maintain the stability, it can be very annoying for the users that want the most modern version of the programs first. Guest • 15 days ago • 1 agrees and 0 disagrees Disagree   Agree
    • ubuntu is based on debian (debian is the father of ubuntu) johndoee • Apr 2018 Disagree   Agree
    • Debian is not easier as Ubuntu. Linux Mint or openSUSE are better choices than Debian, to replace Ubuntu. Guest • Dec 2016 • 8 agrees and 8 disagrees Disagree   Agree
    • It doesn't let you install proprietary drivers and doesn't have a GUI to manage these drivers like Ubuntu or Mint has, due to its philosophy. That's a thing people forget to mention when saying Debian is the option for Ubuntu or even Mint, so it isn't. Guest • Dec 2017 • 2 agrees and 2 disagrees Disagree   Agree
    • Debian is actually mostly like Ubuntu. In fact, Ubuntu is based off Debian. I think other distros like Fedora are literal alternatives to it. SriramaKumar • May 2017 • 1 agrees and 2 disagrees Disagree   Agree

  • Arch Linux

    Arch Linux is an independently developed, i686- and x86_64-optimised Linux distribution targeted at competent Linux users. It uses pacman, its home-grown package...

    Free Open Source Linux

    Rolling release Customizable Arch User Repository Lightweight ... ARM support Package Control Package Manager Add a feature

    Arch Linux icon
    • Arch is not a distro for Linux beginners: you really have to know what you're doing to set it up and keep it ticking over. Ubuntu is beginner friendly. However, check out Manjaro - that's Arch-based but done in a user friendly way that's maybe even friendlier than Ubuntu. JohnFastman • Jan 2017 • 14 agrees and 3 disagrees Disagree   Agree
    • 1. It doesn't have a proper graphical install 2. Arch community doesn't like newbies and treat them like crap 3. Everything is command line based 4. There are not helpers for newbies, the distro uses the KISS philosophy, is minimalistic and not user-friendly like Ubuntu 5. It uses the rolling release and bleeding edge model, so it's kind easy to break thing due the huge quantity of updates weekly. Guest • 15 days ago • 1 agrees and 0 disagrees Disagree   Agree
    • It is simple and light, and doesn't have any of the problems that Ubuntu has, and that all *buntus have as well. Also it uses pacman. Guest • Jun 2017 • 1 agrees and 6 disagrees Disagree   Agree

  • Fedora

    The Fedora Project is an openly-developed project designed by Red Hat , open for general participation, led by a meritocracy, following a set of project objectives.

    Free Open Source Linux

    Key rebinding Multiple languages Out Of The Box Separated workspaces Add a feature

    Fedora icon
    • Albeit Fedora is supported by bigger company (Red Hat), it does not spy on users like Ubuntu. Fedora comprises only freedom software except for firmware (which can be resolved by freed-ora) unlike Ubuntu. Cleaner upgrade than Ubuntu. 9y0xwefhpw • May 2018 • 2 agrees and 0 disagrees Disagree   Agree
    • It doesn't have proprietary codecs and drivers pre-installed like Ubuntu. It's hard to install it, not for newbies. Guest • 15 days ago • 1 agrees and 0 disagrees Disagree   Agree

  • Manjaro Linux

    Manjaro is a user-friendly Linux distribution based on the independently developed Arch operating system.

    Free Open Source Linux Arch Linux

    Based on Arch Linux Community based Configurable Customizable ... Support for Nvidia drivers Out Of The Box Plasma based Rolling release Security focused X86/x64 Compatibility Add a feature

    Manjaro Linux icon
    • Manjaro Linux has got the point where it's more user friendly than Ubuntu, in my opinion. Particularly in the XFCE (official) and MATE (community) builds, the pamac/pacman package manager is utterly great to use and draws software not just from Manjaro repositories but from Arch's AUR, which has something like 60k+ software apps. Despite being based on Arch, Manjaro is very user-friendly and the community support is fantastic. JohnFastman • Dec 2016 • 5 agrees and 0 disagrees Disagree   Agree
    • Arch based, many great software's via official repositories, and a rolling release means you won't lag behind in software. It is very stable and easy to use with many of the popular desktop environments. Guest • Oct 2017 Disagree   Agree

  • elementary OS

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

    Free Open Source Linux

    macOS-like Configurable Debian package compatible Distraction-free UI ... Out Of The Box Based on Ubuntu Add a feature

    elementary OS icon
    • Elementary and Ubuntu are Debian-based Linux distros. Elementary OS is based on Ubuntu. Different UIs (Elementary uses Pantheon, Ubuntu uses Unity). If it work on Ubuntu, it will work on Elementary. But Elementary are a team of designers and lag behind in terms of security. It's also oversimplistic for anyone but complete beginners in Linux. JohnFastman • Jan 2017 • 3 agrees and 0 disagrees Disagree   Agree
    • Delivers a beautiful graphical interface. Offers basic apps to play your music, videos and view pictures, designed around 'Less is more'. However, it is still based on Ubuntu, and so it can do the same things. Need advanced functionality? whip out the terminal and install any package supported by Ubuntu. Guest • Mar 2017 • 4 agrees and 1 disagrees Disagree   Agree
    • It's Ubuntu-based, however you cannot use PPAs, there is no way to install .deb packages by clicking, you need to download stuff from their Store to make it work and the newbies won't know it. It's very limited in customization, takes a long time to make new versions compared to Ubuntu is always late in updates. It lacks many applications which isn't good when you try to make a OS for newbies. Guest • 15 days ago • 1 agrees and 0 disagrees Disagree   Agree

  • Xubuntu

    Xubuntu is an elegant and easy-to-use operating system. Xubuntu comes with Xfce, which is a stable, light and configurable desktop environment.

    Free Open Source Linux Self-Hosted Ubuntu Debian

    Lightweight Based on Debian Based on Ubuntu Add a feature

    Xubuntu icon
    • Xubuntu is Ubuntu in almost every way. The difference is that instead of Ubuntu's Unity desktop, you get the XFCE desktop, which - in my opinion - is much better. But it's certainly faster on older/slower computers. JohnFastman • Dec 2016 • 3 agrees and 0 disagrees Disagree   Agree
    • Xubuntu is nothing more than Ubuntu with the XFCE desktop environment and fewer included packages. I think it's far superior because it's faster than easier to use than Ubuntu. Guest • Mar 2018 • 1 agrees and 0 disagrees Disagree   Agree

  • Lubuntu

    Lubuntu is a faster, more lightweight and energy saving variant of Ubuntu using LXDE, the lightweight X11 Desktop Environment.

    Free Open Source Linux

    Lightweight Customizable Based on Debian Based on Ubuntu ... XFCE support Add a feature

    Lubuntu icon
    • Lubuntu is Ubuntu, but instead of Canonical's Unity desktop environment it comes with LXDE, which is simpler and ligher on resources and therefore more suitable for older/slower computers. That's it. JohnFastman • Jan 2017 • 2 agrees and 0 disagrees Disagree   Agree

  • openSUSE

    openSUSE is a free and Linux-based operating system for your PC, Laptop or Server. The openSUSE distribution is a stable, easy to use and complete multi-purpose...

    Free Open Source Linux

    Community based Customizable Rolling release Add a feature

    openSUSE icon
    • It doesn't have proprietary codecs and drivers installed by default like Ubuntu. To use it, you need some knowledge and it's very limited in packages compared to Debian and Arch-based distros. Guest • 15 days ago • 1 agrees and 0 disagrees Disagree   Agree

  • Kubuntu

    Linux operating system distribution derived from Ubuntu but with KDE environment.

    Free Open Source Linux

    Based on Ubuntu Based on Debian Add a feature

    Kubuntu icon
    • Kubuntu is simply Ubuntu with the KDE Plasma desktop environment instead of Unity. KDE Plasma is a very well thought-through, modern and highly configurable desktop environment that beats Windows 10 and OSX hands down. Note: KDE Plasma (and hence Kubuntu) might not run smoothly on quite old/slow computers. JohnFastman • Dec 2016 • 3 agrees and 0 disagrees Disagree   Agree
    • All Ubuntu-like, with the AWESOME K Desktop Enviroment Guest • May 2016 Disagree   Agree

  • CentOS

    CentOS is a community-supported, free and open source operating system based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux. It exists to provide a free enterprise class computing platform...

    Free Open Source Linux

    Shell integration Add a feature

    CentOS icon
    • Very old packages, same as Debian Stable and Red Hat. It's often use as server, not as a desktop. If you want huge stability, you can use it. Guest • 15 days ago • 1 agrees and 0 disagrees Disagree   Agree

  • Antergos

    Antergos, as its father, Arch Linux , is a rolling release distro. It started life under the name of Cinnarch, combining the Cinnamon...

    Free Open Source Linux

    Based on Arch Linux Auto-installer Rolling release Add a feature

    Antergos icon
    • There are 2 types of Linux distros: Long-term releases (updates when updates are stable) and rolling (updates when updates are ready). Ubuntu updates when the update is stable. Antergos, as soon as an update is ready. Antergos is Arch based, Ubuntu based on Debian - arguably the biggest difference. JohnFastman • Jan 2017 Disagree   Agree

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