Linux distributions compared

The most widely used distributions with their strengths and weaknesses and a link to the official download. Pick what you want to do and see which fits.

What do you want to use it for?

Linux Mint

Based on Ubuntu (LTS) · Fixed releases

The familiar choice when you come from Windows.

Updates
Fixed releases, built on Ubuntu LTS; each version gets years of updates.
Desktop
Cinnamon, MATE, Xfce
Difficulty
Very easy

Strengths

  • Feels familiar to Windows users right away
  • Works out of the box with codecs, wifi and printers
  • No Snap packages by default; Flatpak is supported
  • Light enough for older computers (Xfce edition)
  • Calm and predictable

Weaknesses

  • New technology and the newest hardware arrive later
  • The Cinnamon desktop is less modern than some others
  • Not suited for servers

Download ↗

Ubuntu

Based on Debian · LTS releases

The best-known Linux, for desktop and server.

Updates
LTS release every two years with five years of updates (longer with Ubuntu Pro); six-monthly releases in between.
Desktop
GNOME (customised)
Difficulty
Easy

Strengths

  • Largest community: almost every problem has an answer online
  • Many programs ship an Ubuntu package
  • Good hardware support, including NVIDIA
  • Same base on desktop, server and Raspberry Pi

Weaknesses

  • Snap packages (such as Firefox) are the default and can feel slower
  • Canonical makes its own choices that not everyone likes
  • The desktop is customised and differs from stock GNOME

Download ISO (6.0 GB) ⬇ Official page ↗ Ubuntu Server ↗

ubuntu-26.04.1-desktop-amd64.iso · for a 64-bit PC (x86_64). For ARM, such as a Mac with Apple Silicon or a Raspberry Pi, see the official page.

Debian

Independent · Fixed releases

Rock solid and free: the base of many other distributions.

Updates
A stable release roughly every two years, with years of security updates.
Desktop
Any (GNOME by default)
Difficulty
Medium

Strengths

  • Extremely stable and predictable, ideal for servers and NAS
  • Huge package archive and fully free software
  • Base of Ubuntu, Raspberry Pi OS, Proxmox and Kali
  • Runs on almost any architecture

Weaknesses

  • Software is deliberately older; newer versions take effort (backports)
  • Installing and setting up needs a bit more knowledge
  • The newest hardware can lag behind

Download ISO (756 MB) ⬇ Official page ↗

debian-13.7.0-amd64-netinst.iso · for a 64-bit PC (x86_64). For ARM, such as a Mac with Apple Silicon or a Raspberry Pi, see the official page.

Fedora Workstation

Independent (Red Hat-backed) · Fixed releases

Modern software, neatly put together, backed by Red Hat.

Updates
New release about every six months; each version gets roughly a year of updates.
Desktop
GNOME (KDE edition too)
Difficulty
Easy

Strengths

  • New technology arrives early (Wayland, PipeWire, Btrfs)
  • Neatly assembled, few changes to GNOME
  • Good for developers and containers (Podman)
  • Strong security by default (SELinux)

Weaknesses

  • You upgrade to a new version about once a year
  • Codecs and NVIDIA drivers need extra steps (RPM Fusion)
  • Fewer programs with ready-made packages than Debian or Ubuntu

Download ISO (2.7 GB) ⬇ Official page ↗ Fedora Server ↗

Fedora-Workstation-Live-44-1.7.x86_64.iso · for a 64-bit PC (x86_64). For ARM, such as a Mac with Apple Silicon or a Raspberry Pi, see the official page.

Arch Linux

Independent · Rolling release

Build exactly what you want, always the newest.

Updates
Rolling release: you get the newest versions continuously, without version jumps.
Desktop
None: you choose
Difficulty
Needs a lot of knowledge

Strengths

  • Always the newest software
  • You build exactly what you need, nothing extra
  • The Arch Wiki is the best Linux documentation there is
  • AUR: a huge collection of community packages

Weaknesses

  • You manage everything yourself; updates can break things
  • Installation is hands-on (there is a helper, archinstall)
  • Not for people who just want it to work

Download ISO (1.5 GB) ⬇ Official page ↗

archlinux-x86_64.iso · for a 64-bit PC (x86_64). For ARM, such as a Mac with Apple Silicon or a Raspberry Pi, see the official page.

EndeavourOS

Based on Arch · Rolling release

Arch with a friendly installer.

Updates
Rolling release, almost pure Arch.
Desktop
Choose at install (KDE, GNOME, Xfce …)
Difficulty
Advanced

Strengths

  • A normal graphical installer for Arch
  • Nearly unmodified Arch, so you learn the real thing
  • Pleasant community plus Arch repositories and the AUR
  • Good for gamers who want fresh drivers

Weaknesses

  • You still have to update and fix problems yourself
  • Not for people who prefer no maintenance
  • Smaller than the big distributions

Download ↗

Manjaro

Based on Arch · Rolling release

Arch software, set up to be more approachable.

Updates
Rolling release with deliberately delayed updates.
Desktop
KDE, GNOME, Xfce
Difficulty
Medium

Strengths

  • Graphical installer and handy tools (such as driver selection)
  • Access to Arch packages
  • Pleasant desktop and good gaming support

Weaknesses

  • Delayed updates can clash with AUR packages
  • Occasional problems that Arch itself does not have
  • You still have to update yourself

Download ↗

openSUSE

Independent · Fixed and rolling

A solid European alternative, in two flavours.

Updates
Tumbleweed is rolling (tested); Leap is a stable fixed release.
Desktop
KDE, GNOME, Xfce
Difficulty
Medium

Strengths

  • Tumbleweed is automatically tested before release
  • Btrfs snapshots with Snapper: roll back to a working state
  • YaST: handy management tool, also for servers
  • Great KDE desktop

Weaknesses

  • Smaller community and fewer tutorials
  • Its own package manager (zypper) takes getting used to
  • Less well-known software with ready-made packages

Download ISO (4.4 GB) ⬇ Official page ↗

openSUSE-Tumbleweed-DVD-x86_64-Current.iso · for a 64-bit PC (x86_64). For ARM, such as a Mac with Apple Silicon or a Raspberry Pi, see the official page.

Pop!_OS

Based on Ubuntu · Fixed releases

Built by System76, great for gamers and developers.

Updates
Fixed releases based on Ubuntu LTS.
Desktop
COSMIC (its own desktop)
Difficulty
Easy

Strengths

  • Separate installer image with NVIDIA drivers included
  • Tiling features to arrange windows neatly
  • Its own COSMIC desktop, fast and new
  • Disk encryption at install

Weaknesses

  • One company drives the development
  • The COSMIC desktop is still young
  • Less well known than Ubuntu or Mint

Download ↗

Zorin OS

Based on Ubuntu · Fixed releases

Looks like Windows or macOS, built for switchers.

Updates
Fixed releases based on Ubuntu LTS.
Desktop
Its own GNOME variant
Difficulty
Very easy

Strengths

  • Adjustable layout that resembles Windows
  • Polished look, works straight away
  • Easier to run Windows programs through Wine tools

Weaknesses

  • The Pro edition (paid) adds layouts and apps
  • Ubuntu base, so Snap as well
  • Smaller team than Ubuntu and Mint

Download ↗

elementary OS

Based on Ubuntu · Fixed releases

Calm, clean and built with attention to detail.

Updates
Fixed releases based on Ubuntu LTS.
Desktop
Pantheon (its own)
Difficulty
Very easy

Strengths

  • Beautiful, consistent design, reminiscent of macOS
  • Simple to use
  • AppCenter with apps from small developers

Weaknesses

  • Few settings to change
  • Releases follow Ubuntu LTS with a delay
  • Small team, fewer apps and help online

Download ↗

MX Linux

Based on Debian (stable) · Fixed releases

Lightweight and solid, good for older computers.

Updates
Fixed releases on Debian stable.
Desktop
Xfce, KDE, Fluxbox
Difficulty
Easy

Strengths

  • Fast and frugal, also on old computers
  • Debian stability with handy MX tools of its own
  • Can make a USB stick with your own settings (live USB)

Weaknesses

  • Smaller community than Mint
  • The Xfce look can feel dated
  • The newest hardware can lag behind

Download ↗

Kali Linux

Based on Debian · Rolling release

For security testing, not for everyday use.

Updates
Rolling releases, a new snapshot a few times a year.
Desktop
Xfce (also KDE, GNOME)
Difficulty
Advanced

Strengths

  • Hundreds of security tools preinstalled
  • Available as a virtual machine and for Raspberry Pi
  • Plenty of tutorials and courses

Weaknesses

  • Not meant for daily use or as a first Linux
  • Use it only on systems you have permission to test
  • More room for mistakes and more maintenance

Download ISO (4.7 GB) ⬇ Official page ↗

kali-linux-2026.3-installer-amd64.iso · for a 64-bit PC (x86_64). For ARM, such as a Mac with Apple Silicon or a Raspberry Pi, see the official page.

Raspberry Pi OS

Based on Debian · Fixed releases

The official system for the Raspberry Pi.

Updates
Fixed releases on Debian stable, tuned for the Pi.
Desktop
Its own desktop (PIXEL/Wayland)
Difficulty
Easy

Strengths

  • Works straight away with Pi hardware, camera and GPIO
  • Raspberry Pi Imager writes it to an SD card in a few clicks
  • Lite version without a desktop for servers
  • Many tutorials and a big community

Weaknesses

  • Only for the Raspberry Pi
  • You keep up with updates yourself
  • SD cards wear out; make a backup

Download ↗

AlmaLinux

Based on RHEL (Red Hat) · Long support

Free, RHEL-compatible server system, supported for years.

Updates
Major release about every three years, ten years of support.
Desktop
None (server) or GNOME
Difficulty
Medium

Strengths

  • Compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux without a licence
  • Very long support per version
  • Stable and predictable for servers
  • Run by a non-profit organisation

Weaknesses

  • Software is deliberately old; newer versions take effort
  • Little focus on the desktop
  • Its own package manager (dnf)

Download ISO (1.5 GB) ⬇ Official page ↗

AlmaLinux-10-latest-x86_64-minimal.iso · for a 64-bit PC (x86_64). For ARM, such as a Mac with Apple Silicon or a Raspberry Pi, see the official page.

Rocky Linux

Based on RHEL (Red Hat) · Long support

Like AlmaLinux: a free RHEL alternative.

Updates
Major release about every three years, ten years of support.
Desktop
None (server) or GNOME
Difficulty
Medium

Strengths

  • Compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • Long support
  • Created by a CentOS co-founder

Weaknesses

  • Software is deliberately old
  • Little focus on the desktop
  • Its own package manager (dnf)

Download ISO (1.9 GB) ⬇ Official page ↗

Rocky-10.2-x86_64-minimal.iso · for a 64-bit PC (x86_64). For ARM, such as a Mac with Apple Silicon or a Raspberry Pi, see the official page.

NixOS

Independent · Fixed and rolling

Your whole system as one configuration file.

Updates
Half-yearly releases plus a rolling channel (unstable).
Desktop
Any (set in the config)
Difficulty
Needs a lot of knowledge

Strengths

  • The whole system lives in one file: reproducible on any computer
  • Rolling back to a previous version is one command
  • Several versions of a program side by side

Weaknesses

  • Steep learning curve and its own language (Nix)
  • Many tutorials do not work like on other distributions
  • Sometimes awkward with programs that expect fixed paths

Download ↗

Proxmox VE

Based on Debian · Fixed releases

A virtualisation platform for your homelab.

Updates
Fixed versions on Debian; updates via a built-in repository.
Desktop
None: managed from a web browser
Difficulty
Medium

Strengths

  • Virtual machines and LXC containers from one web page
  • ZFS, backups and clusters built in
  • Free to use without a licence
  • Matches the guides on this site

Weaknesses

  • It is a hypervisor, not an everyday system
  • Without a subscription you get a notice and use the free repository
  • Needs knowledge of networking and storage

Download ISO (1.6 GB) ⬇ Official page ↗

proxmox-ve_9.2-1.iso · for a 64-bit PC (x86_64). For ARM, such as a Mac with Apple Silicon or a Raspberry Pi, see the official page.

Make a USB stick

This is how you put the downloaded ISO on a stick to boot from. It erases everything on that stick.

Rufus: choose the ISO, choose your USB stick and click Start. Want several ISOs on one stick and choose each time at boot? Use Ventoy. balenaEtcher works too.

Rufus ↗ Ventoy ↗ balenaEtcher ↗ Put them in the install script

For a Raspberry Pi use Raspberry Pi Imager on any system; it picks the operating system itself and writes it to the SD card. Raspberry Pi Imager ↗

The download buttons go straight to the publisher (GitHub or the project's own server) and always give the latest version. Official pages: Rufus · Ventoy · balenaEtcher · Raspberry Pi Imager

Side by side

DistributionBased onUpdatesDesktopDifficulty
Linux MintUbuntu (LTS)Fixed releasesCinnamon, MATE, Xfce1 / 5 – Very easy
UbuntuDebianLTS releasesGNOME (customised)2 / 5 – Easy
DebianIndependentFixed releasesAny (GNOME by default)3 / 5 – Medium
Fedora WorkstationIndependent (Red Hat-backed)Fixed releasesGNOME (KDE edition too)2 / 5 – Easy
Arch LinuxIndependentRolling releaseNone: you choose5 / 5 – Needs a lot of knowledge
EndeavourOSArchRolling releaseChoose at install (KDE, GNOME, Xfce …)4 / 5 – Advanced
ManjaroArchRolling releaseKDE, GNOME, Xfce3 / 5 – Medium
openSUSEIndependentFixed and rollingKDE, GNOME, Xfce3 / 5 – Medium
Pop!_OSUbuntuFixed releasesCOSMIC (its own desktop)2 / 5 – Easy
Zorin OSUbuntuFixed releasesIts own GNOME variant1 / 5 – Very easy
elementary OSUbuntuFixed releasesPantheon (its own)1 / 5 – Very easy
MX LinuxDebian (stable)Fixed releasesXfce, KDE, Fluxbox2 / 5 – Easy
Kali LinuxDebianRolling releaseXfce (also KDE, GNOME)4 / 5 – Advanced
Raspberry Pi OSDebianFixed releasesIts own desktop (PIXEL/Wayland)2 / 5 – Easy
AlmaLinuxRHEL (Red Hat)Long supportNone (server) or GNOME3 / 5 – Medium
Rocky LinuxRHEL (Red Hat)Long supportNone (server) or GNOME3 / 5 – Medium
NixOSIndependentFixed and rollingAny (set in the config)5 / 5 – Needs a lot of knowledge
Proxmox VEDebianFixed releasesNone: managed from a web browser3 / 5 – Medium
Good to know

Keep your first Linux simple: Linux Mint, Ubuntu or Zorin OS for a regular computer, Raspberry Pi OS for a Pi, Debian or Proxmox for a server or homelab. You can try most distributions from a USB stick first without installing anything (live mode).

Download only through the official link and check the file fingerprint with the hash generator. You can make a USB stick with balenaEtcher, Rufus or Ventoy. Version numbers are deliberately left out: they change quickly, so check the download page. Strengths and weaknesses are general impressions, not measurements: tastes differ, and a weakness for one person is an advantage for another.