Lightweight Ubuntu Alternatives

The best alternative to Ubuntu is Linux Mint, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Ubuntu and loads of them are so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting alternatives to Ubuntu are Debian, Manjaro Linux, Fedora and Kubuntu.

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Ubuntu alternatives are mainly Operating Systems, but if you're looking for Linux Distros or Mobile OSs you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Lightweight and Linux Distros. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Ubuntu.

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Ubuntu alternatives page was last updated Sep 15, 2025

Linux Mint
1196 likes
Linux distribution focused on desktop use, with unique menus, media codecs, browser plugins, and DVD support pre-installed; offers easy package management, compatibility with Ubuntu repositories, and a Debian-based alternative for consistency and reliability.
188 Linux Mint alternatives
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Open Source
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Linux
+4
Is Linux Mint a good alternative to Ubuntu?

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14comments
Linux Mint vs Ubuntu Comments

Top Positive Comment
CeesT
May 30, 2022
3
More polished and Windows-like than plain Ubuntu. Cinnamon comes with Nemo which shows file creation dates as well as modification dates.
Guest
Positive commentJul 22, 2022
1
I love linux mint! Easy to use, easy to setup and i love the design!
Review by a new / low-activity user.
Robert Wang
Positive commentMar 19, 2022
0
It has no enough technical support. Do settings as in slackware?
3 of 14 comments
Linux Mint is Free and Open SourceUbuntu is also Free and Open Source
Linux Mint is Privacy focusedUbuntu is not according to our users
Debian
1182 likes
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.
206 Debian alternatives
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Open Source
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International
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Windows
Linux
BSD
Self-Hosted
+2
Is Debian a good alternative to Ubuntu?

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12comments
Debian vs Ubuntu Comments

Top Positive Comment
John Fastman
Jan 4, 2017
16
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.
Top Negative Comment
Guest
Dec 10, 2017
7
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.
Review by a new / low-activity user.
atkitt7
Positive commentSep 15, 2025
0
It actually cares about privacy and user freedoms and software being free/libre/open source. Driven by the community, not a for-profit company. No shady schemes. (Also, did you know Ubuntu is a fork of Debian?)
3 of 12 comments
Debian is Free and Open SourceUbuntu is also Free and Open Source
Debian is Privacy focusedUbuntu is not according to our users
Manjaro Linux
336 likes
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...
185 Manjaro Linux alternatives
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Open Source
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Germany
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Linux
Arch Linux
+5
Is Manjaro Linux a good alternative to Ubuntu?

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8comments
Manjaro Linux vs Ubuntu Comments

Top Positive Comment
John Fastman
Dec 8, 2016
18
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.
mlemmark
Positive commentJan 6, 2021
5
A good distribution, but often breaks during an update, to use it, you need to be aware of new changes in their forum. It says it's for newbies, but it doesn't differs so much from Arch. Since it's a rolling-release/bleeding-edge distribution, it is not as stable as Linux Mint, Ubuntu and so on.
Guest
Positive commentMay 28, 2020
10

Arch-based 2. Easy to install 3. Care about stability even being a rolling release kind of distro 4. It has GUIs for installing kernel, drivers and complex language packs 5. It has Pamac which is the most complete package manager/store in the Linux with supports and have access to the official repo, AUR, snap and flatpak. 6. it has different desktop environments for your taste 7. Good performance on games 8. It has minimal versions for tinkers.

Review by a new / low-activity user.
3 of 8 comments
Manjaro Linux is Free and Open SourceUbuntu is also Free and Open Source
Manjaro Linux is Security-focusedUbuntu is not according to our users
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Zorin OS
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 p...

https://zorin.com
Learn More
Fedora
619 likes
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.
189 Fedora alternatives
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Free
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Linux
+9
Is Fedora a good alternative to Ubuntu?

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9comments
Fedora vs Ubuntu Comments

Top Positive Comment
9y0xwefhpw
May 27, 2018
7
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.
Top Negative Comment
Guest
Oct 29, 2018
11
It doesn't have proprietary codecs and drivers pre-installed like Ubuntu. It's hard to install it, not for newbies.
Review by a new / low-activity user.
veddev
Positive commentAug 31, 2024
0
Fedora is REALLY nice! Looks modern and simple.
3 of 9 comments
Fedora is Free and Open SourceUbuntu is also Free and Open Source
Fedora is Privacy focusedUbuntu is not according to our users
Kubuntu
292 likes
Kubuntu is an official "flavor" of Ubuntu that uses the KDE Plasma desktop environment. This gives it a completely different look and feel.
210 Kubuntu alternatives
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Open Source
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United Kingdom
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Linux
Is Kubuntu a good alternative to Ubuntu?

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6comments
Kubuntu vs Ubuntu Comments

Top Positive Comment
astronare
Jul 1, 2023
3
KDE is faster and better than Gnome
David Figueroa
Positive commentDec 2, 2020
2
KDE is faster than GNOME and more customizable too
RemovedUser
Positive commentSep 7, 2020
2
Kubuntu is basically Ubuntu but with the KDE Plasma desktop, which gives a feel of Windows, highly recommended.
Review by a new / low-activity user.
3 of 6 comments
Kubuntu is Free and Open SourceUbuntu is also Free and Open Source
Kubuntu is Privacy focusedUbuntu is not according to our users
Arch Linux
797 likes
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.
205 Arch Linux alternatives
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Canada
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Linux
+1
Is Arch Linux a good alternative to Ubuntu?

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4comments
Arch Linux vs Ubuntu Comments

John Fastman
Negative commentJan 4, 2017
22
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.
Guest
Negative commentOct 29, 2018
5

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.

Review by a new / low-activity user.
veddev
Positive commentAug 31, 2024
0
Arch is not a beginner friendly Linux distro, but i use a distro thats based on arch called EndeavourOS. Its very nice, For someone that wants to use and learn Arch, go with EndeavourOS!
3 of 4 comments
Arch Linux is Free and Open SourceUbuntu is also Free and Open Source
Arch Linux is Minimalistic and Privacy focusedUbuntu is not according to our users
Xubuntu
295 likes
Xubuntu is an elegant and easy-to-use operating system. Xubuntu comes with Xfce, which is a stable, light and configurable desktop environment. It is based on Ubuntu Debian Linux.
183 Xubuntu alternatives
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Linux
Is Xubuntu a good alternative to Ubuntu?

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3comments
Xubuntu vs Ubuntu Comments

John Fastman
Positive commentDec 31, 2016
7
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.
Guest
Positive commentMar 8, 2018
8
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.
Review by a new / low-activity user.
mlemmark
Negative commentJan 6, 2021
3
Linux Mint Xfce makes a better alternative which a set of apps that makes sense, a great system updater, GUI to manage kernels, GUI to help fixing bugs, especially related to the repository. Mint also respect the user privacy, doesn't force snap, let the user have the choice. Mint Xfce has custom theme and user-friendly look-and-feel.
Xubuntu is Free and Open SourceUbuntu is also Free and Open Source
Xubuntu is Privacy focusedUbuntu is not according to our users
Lubuntu
247 likes
Lubuntu is a fast and lightweight operating system with a clean and easy-to-use user interface. It is a Linux system, that uses the minimal desktop LXDE/LXQT.
185 Lubuntu alternatives
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+5
Is Lubuntu a good alternative to Ubuntu?

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3comments
Lubuntu vs Ubuntu Comments

John Fastman
Positive commentJan 4, 2017
8
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.
mlemmark
Positive commentJan 6, 2021
4
It's lightweight and fast, but far from being very lightweight and fast. It has changed plans: https://lubuntu.me/taking-a-new-direction/ since and no longer is meant for "old computers" as it used to be like.
pili
Positive commentDec 8, 2020
2
It is much more light weight, and it is the best compromise between usability and ressources. Since it is based on Ubuntu, it comes with all the packages, but with its lightweight software and LXDE, it is very lightweight :

Around 550MB of RAM on startup (according to gnome system monitor), 420 according to free and htop

50 sec to boot on a lenovo old PC with the cheapest hardware possible Just love it :)

Lubuntu is Free and Open SourceUbuntu is also Free and Open Source
Lubuntu is Privacy focusedUbuntu is not according to our users
Zorin OS
153 likes
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.
191 Zorin OS alternatives
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Freemium
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Ireland
EU
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Linux
+2
Is Zorin OS a good alternative to Ubuntu?

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3comments
Zorin OS vs Ubuntu Comments

Guest
Positive commentJan 1, 2019
2
i use it to replace windows
Review by a new / low-activity user.
ThomasStevenson
Positive commentApr 14, 2017
4
It's easy to use and looks like Windows, so beginners (like me) don't need to learn a new interface just to use Linux. It's based on Ubuntu so it's got all the features Ubuntu has, but it's better :)
Guest
Negative commentOct 13, 2020
2
It takes a long time to release a new version and when it's finally released it's already old and dated.
Review by a new / low-activity user.
Zorin OS is Freemium and Open SourceUbuntu is Free and Open Source
Zorin OS is Privacy focusedUbuntu is not according to our users
elementary OS
354 likes
elementary OS is a free, fast and aesthetically pleasing operating system based on Ubuntu .
203 elementary OS alternatives
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Open Source (GPL-3.0)
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United States
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Linux
+9
Is elementary OS a good alternative to Ubuntu?

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6comments
elementary OS vs Ubuntu Comments

Top Positive Comment
Guest
Mar 23, 2017
12
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.
Review by a new / low-activity user.
Top Negative Comment
John Fastman
Jan 5, 2017
3
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.
veddev
Positive commentAug 31, 2024
0
I just like it, because it has a macOS style theme.
3 of 6 comments
elementary OS is Free and Open SourceUbuntu is also Free and Open Source
CachyOS
52 likes
CachyOS is designed to deliver lightning-fast speeds and stability, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable computing experience every time you use it. Whether you're a seasoned Linux user or just starting out, CachyOS is the ideal choice for those looking for a powerful...
77 CachyOS alternatives
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Germany
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Is CachyOS a good alternative to Ubuntu?
EndeavourOS
69 likes
EndeavourOS is an Arch-based distro that provides an Arch experience without the hassle of installing it manually for both x86_64 and ARM systems. After installation, you’re provided with a lightweight and almost barebones environment ready to be explored with your terminal...
Cost / License
Free
Open Source (GPL-3.0)
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Linux Distro
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Origin
Netherlands
EU
Platforms
Linux
Is EndeavourOS a good alternative to Ubuntu?

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1comment
EndeavourOS vs Ubuntu Comments

veddev
Positive commentAug 31, 2024
0
Absolutely awesome Linux distro, as i daily-drive it. I could say its Flexible and modern-looking. KDE Plasma>GNOME
EndeavourOS is Free and Open SourceUbuntu is also Free and Open Source
EndeavourOS is Privacy focusedUbuntu is not according to our users

12 of 76 Ubuntu alternatives

Lightweight Ubuntu Alternatives

Alternatives list

Linux Mint

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Linux Mint vs Ubuntu Comments

Debian

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Debian vs Ubuntu Comments

Manjaro Linux

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Fedora

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Kubuntu

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Kubuntu vs Ubuntu Comments

Arch Linux

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Arch Linux vs Ubuntu Comments

Xubuntu

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Xubuntu vs Ubuntu Comments

Lubuntu

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Zorin OS

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elementary OS

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elementary OS vs Ubuntu Comments

CachyOS

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EndeavourOS

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EndeavourOS vs Ubuntu Comments