Xubuntu AlternativesLinux Distros & Operating Systems like Xubuntu

Xubuntu is described as 'Elegant and easy-to-use operating system. Xubuntu comes with Xfce, which stable, light and configurable desktop environment. It is based on Ubuntu Debian Linux' and is a very popular Linux Distro in the os & utilities category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Xubuntu for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Windows, Self-Hosted, Chrome OS and Raspberry Pi apps. The best Xubuntu alternative is Linux Mint, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Xubuntu are Ubuntu, Manjaro Linux, elementary OS and Kubuntu.

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Xubuntu alternatives are mainly Linux Distros but may also be Operating Systems or Package Managers.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Xubuntu.
Xubuntu iconXubuntu
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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.

More about Xubuntu
Xubuntu alternatives page was last updated Mar 13, 2023
  1. Linux Mint icon
     1100 likes

    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 comfortable operating system which is both powerful and easy to use. Latest: Wilma (22).

    174 Linux Mint alternatives
    Linux Mint screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Linux

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  User friendly
    3.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Windows-like
    2.  Based on Ubuntu
    3.  Support for Nvidia drivers
    4.  Cinnamon Desktop
    5.  Debian package compatible
    6.  Linux-based
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Out Of The Box
    9.  Application Launchers
    10.  No Tracking
    11.  Dark Mode
    12.  Community-based
    Linux Mint iconXubuntu Icon

    Linux Mint VS Xubuntu

    Is Linux Mint a good alternative to Xubuntu?
     
    • Linux Mint is the most popular Linux alternative to Xubuntu.

    • Linux Mint is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Xubuntu.

    • Linux Mint is Free and Open SourceXubuntu is also Free and Open Source
    • Linux Mint is Customizable and LightweightXubuntu is not according to our users
  2. Ubuntu icon
     2342 likes

    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.

    154 Ubuntu alternatives
    Ubuntu 24.04 with Gnome 46

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Ubuntu

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  User friendly
    3.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  Linux-based
    2.  Based on Debian
    3.  APT package manager
    4.  Support for Unicode
    5.  No registration required
    6.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    7.  Kde support
    8.  Support for .deb files
    9.  Works Offline
    10.  Ad-free
    11.  OTA Updates
    12.  Support for scripting
    Ubuntu iconXubuntu Icon

    Ubuntu VS Xubuntu

    Is Ubuntu a good alternative to Xubuntu?
     
  3. Manjaro Linux icon
     327 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...

    180 Manjaro Linux alternatives
    Manjaro 19.0 Kyria (Xfce)

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Arch Linux

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  User friendly
    4.  Clean design

    Features

    1.  Rolling Release
    2.  Based on Arch Linux
    3.  Arch User Repository
    4.  Community-based
    5.  Linux-based
    6.  Simple installation
    7.  Out Of The Box
    8.  No Tracking
    9.  Support for Nvidia drivers
    10.  Live booting from usb
    11.  Ad-free
    12.  Wiki documentation
    Manjaro Linux iconXubuntu Icon

    Manjaro Linux VS Xubuntu

    Is Manjaro Linux a good alternative to Xubuntu?
     
    Comments about Manjaro Linux as an Alternative to Xubuntu
     
    John Fastman

    Manjaro Linux has got the point where it's more user friendly than Xubuntu, 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.

    Positive commentDec 20, 2016
    0
    Xubuntu Icon
    Manjaro Linux icon
    • Manjaro Linux is Free and Open SourceXubuntu is also Free and Open Source
    • Manjaro Linux is Customizable and LightweightXubuntu is not according to our users
  4. elementary OS icon
     342 likes

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

    190 elementary OS alternatives
    Boot Screen

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Linux

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Configurable
    3.  Distraction-free

    Features

    1.  macOS-like
    2.  Based on Ubuntu
    3.  Debian package compatible
    4.  Flatpak
    5.  App center
    6.  Out Of The Box
    7.  No registration required
    8.  Ad-free
    9.  No Tracking
    10.  Consistent UI
    11.  Works Offline
    12.  Dark Mode
    elementary OS iconXubuntu Icon

    elementary OS VS Xubuntu

    Is elementary OS a good alternative to Xubuntu?
     
  5. Kubuntu icon
     272 likes

    Kubuntu is an official "flavor" of Ubuntu that uses the KDE Plasma desktop environment. This gives it a completely different look and feel.

    193 Kubuntu alternatives
    Kubuntu 19.10 "Eoan Ermine"

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Linux

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Based on Ubuntu
    2.  KDE
    3.  Based on Debian
    4.  No Tracking
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  Rolling Release
    7.  Desktop Application
    Kubuntu iconXubuntu Icon

    Kubuntu VS Xubuntu

    Is Kubuntu a good alternative to Xubuntu?
     
    Comments about Kubuntu as an Alternative to Xubuntu
     
    John Fastman

    Kubuntu and Xubuntu are both Ubuntu underneath. They differ from each other (and from Ubuntu) only by the default desktop that they come with (and some apps that are part of those). Kubuntu comes with KDE's Plasma 5, which is more modern, Xubuntu comes with XFCE, which is faster on old/slow computers. If you want KDE's Plasma, then go for KDE Neon instead of Kubuntu: it gets faster updates.

    Positive commentDec 31, 2016
    1
    Xubuntu Icon
    Kubuntu icon
    • Kubuntu is Free and Open SourceXubuntu is also Free and Open Source
    • Kubuntu is Privacy focused and LightweightXubuntu is not according to our users
  6. macOS icon
     559 likes

    A Unix-based OS for Mac with seamlessly integration with Apple’s ecosystem, offering an intuitive UI, productivity tools like Finder, Spotlight, and Automator, built-in apps like Safari and Photos, Continuity for cross-device functionality, and security features including FileVault and Gatekeeper.

    168 macOS alternatives
    macOS screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeProprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac

    Top macOS Features

    1.  Consistent UI
    2.  Unix-like
    3.  Usability
    4.  Spotlight
    5. Microsoft 365 Copilot icon  Compatible with Microsoft Office
    6.  Unlock with fingerprint
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  Ad-free
    9.  Chromecast Support
    10.  Voice Commands
    11.  QuickLook File Preview
    macOS iconXubuntu Icon

    macOS VS Xubuntu

    Is macOS a good alternative to Xubuntu?
     
    Comments about macOS as an Alternative to Xubuntu
     
    Guest

    The user who search an alternative to Xubuntu, does not want to install privative and heavy systems (=resource consumers) such as Windows or MacOS (although Mac have shell based on Linux BSD : Leopard).

    Negative commentJul 20, 2017
    4
    Xubuntu Icon
    macOS icon
    • macOS is the most popular Mac alternative to Xubuntu.

    • macOS is Free and ProprietaryXubuntu is Free and Open Source
  7. Zorin OS icon
     117 likes

    Zorin OS is an easy to use, Linux-based operating system designed to make your computer faster, more powerful and secure.

    177 Zorin OS alternatives
    Windows 10 layout

    License model

    • FreemiumOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Linux

    Properties

    1.  User friendly
    2.  Intuitive Interface
    3.  Customizable
    4.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Windows like desktop
    2.  Linux-based
    3.  Windows-like
    4.  Out Of The Box
    5.  Run Windows software
    6.  Printer compatibility
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Based on Ubuntu
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  Debian package compatible
    11.  No Tracking
    12.  User Levels
    Zorin OS iconXubuntu Icon

    Zorin OS VS Xubuntu

    Is Zorin OS a good alternative to Xubuntu?
     
  8. Lubuntu icon
     242 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.

    179 Lubuntu alternatives
    The new LXQt desktop.

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Linux

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Based on Ubuntu
    2.  Debian package compatible
    3.  No Tracking
    4.  No registration required
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  Based on Debian
    8.  Unix-like
    9.  XFCE support
    Lubuntu iconXubuntu Icon

    Lubuntu VS Xubuntu

    Is Lubuntu a good alternative to Xubuntu?
     
    Comments about Lubuntu as an Alternative to Xubuntu
     
    John Fastman

    Lubuntu and Xubuntu are both Ubuntu under the hood. The difference is they come with different desktop environments (LXDE and XFCE, respectively). LXDE is even lighter on system resources than XFCE so should work better on REALLY old/slow computers. But that's it.

    Positive commentJan 4, 2017
    4
    Xubuntu Icon
    Lubuntu icon
    • Lubuntu is Free and Open SourceXubuntu is also Free and Open Source
    • Lubuntu is Lightweight and Privacy focusedXubuntu is not according to our users
  9. Qubes OS icon
     108 likes

    Qubes is an open source operating system designed to provide strong security for desktop computing.

    192 Qubes OS alternatives
    Qubes OS screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Fedora
    • Xen

    Properties

    1.  Security-focused
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Virtualization
    2.  Software Compartmentalization
    3.  Container Virtualization
    4.  Domain isolation
    5.  Tor
    6.  No registration required
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  Ad-free
    9.  Command line interface
    10.  Rolling Release
    11.  Dark Mode
    12.  Based on Fedora
    Qubes OS iconXubuntu Icon

    Qubes OS VS Xubuntu

    Is Qubes OS a good alternative to Xubuntu?
     
    Comments about Qubes OS as an Alternative to Xubuntu
     
    arndtadler

    It has a very similar User Interface and expirience and is even more secure and flexible. It is propably the most secure OS in the moment but it has higher requirements for the User and the used System.

    Positive commentJul 21, 2018
    0
    Xubuntu Icon
    Qubes OS icon
    • Qubes OS is Free and Open SourceXubuntu is also Free and Open Source
    • Qubes OS is Security-focused, Privacy focused and LightweightXubuntu is not according to our users
  10. ReactOS icon
     284 likes

    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).

    191 ReactOS alternatives
    ReactOS screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • FreeDOS

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Windows XP Compatibility
    2.  Run Windows software
    3.  Nt kernel
    4.  Windows-like
    5.  Support for BTRFS
    6.  Community-based
    ReactOS iconXubuntu Icon

    ReactOS VS Xubuntu

    Is ReactOS a good alternative to Xubuntu?
     
    • ReactOS is the most popular Windows alternative to Xubuntu.

    • ReactOS is Free and Open SourceXubuntu is also Free and Open Source
    • ReactOS is LightweightXubuntu is not according to our users
  11. Windows 11 icon
     38 likes

    Experience the latest Windows OS with a new Start menu, integrated Teams, and gaming technologies like Auto HDR. Improved security with stricter requirements enhances protection, and seamless Microsoft Account integration makes it ideal for modern devices.

    162 Windows 11 alternatives
    Windows 11 screenshot 1

    License model

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Windows 11 Features

    1.  Dark Mode
    2.  Works Offline
    3. Microsoft 365 Copilot icon  Compatible with Microsoft Office
    Windows 11 iconXubuntu Icon

    Windows 11 VS Xubuntu

    Is Windows 11 a good alternative to Xubuntu?
     
    • Windows 11 is the most popular commercial alternative to Xubuntu.

    • Windows 11 is Paid and ProprietaryXubuntu is Free and Open Source
  12. NixOS icon
     50 likes

    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...

    191 NixOS alternatives
    NixOS screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted

    Properties

    1.  Configurable
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  Rolling Release
    3.  Portable
    4.  No Tracking
    5.  Unix-like
    6.  Linux-based
    NixOS iconXubuntu Icon

    NixOS VS Xubuntu

    Is NixOS a good alternative to Xubuntu?
     
    • NixOS is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to Xubuntu.

    • NixOS is Free and Open SourceXubuntu is also Free and Open Source
    • NixOS is Lightweight and Privacy focusedXubuntu is not according to our users
12 of 178 Xubuntu alternatives