Ubuntu Alternatives

Ubuntu is described as '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' and is a leading Linux Distro in the os & utilities category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Ubuntu for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Self-Hosted, Windows, BSD and Mac apps. The best Ubuntu alternative is Linux Mint, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like 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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Alternatives list

  1. macOS icon

    macOS

     565 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.

    176 macOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    macOS screenshot 1
     
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    7
    18
    Comments about macOS as an Alternative to Ubuntu
    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    14

    Proprietary, with limited hardware support. Poor support for developers.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    operfeito11
    Negative
    1

    only works well on mac, and even then its bad. and its proprietary. a family member uses it, and i tried it to see if i liked it. i did not.

    Guest
    Positive
    -5

    This is what rich people use in their daily driver.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 7 comments
    macOS icon
    macOS icon

    • This alternative is disputed. macOS is a legitimate Ubuntu alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.

    • macOS is Free and ProprietaryUbuntu is Free and Open Source
  2. Red Hat Enterprise Linux icon

    Red Hat Enterprise Linux

     124 likes

    Red Hat is the leader in development, deployment, and management of Linux and open source solutions for Internet infrastructure - ranging from embedded devices to secure Web servers. Red Hat was founded in 1994 by visionary entrepreneurs Bob Young and Marc Ewing.

    183 Red Hat Enterprise Linux alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Red Hat Enterprise Linux screenshot 1
     
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    6
    11
    Comments about Red Hat Enterprise Linux as an Alternative to Ubuntu
    Top Positive Comment
    VB22
    0

    Free if you use the Developer version (needs signup), but it covers up to 16 servers - https://developers.redhat.com/articles/faqs-no-cost-red-hat-enterprise-linux

    Top Negative Comment
    veddev
    0

    Ubuntu and Linux in general is free, RHEL is not.

    Guest
    Negative
    0

    It's especifically for server usage, not for desktop. That's why it shouldn't be a recommendation.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 6 comments
    Red Hat Enterprise Linux icon
    Red Hat Enterprise Linux icon

    • Most users think Red Hat Enterprise Linux is a great Ubuntu alternative.

    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux is Paid and ProprietaryUbuntu is Free and Open Source
  4. Nobara Linux icon

    Nobara Linux

     27 likes

    The Nobara Project, to put it simply, is a modified version of Fedora Linux with user-friendly fixes added to it. Fedora is a very good workstation OS, however, anything involving any kind of 3rd party or proprietary packages is usually...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Nobara Linux screenshot 1
     
  5. Ad
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    Zorin OS icon
    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
  6. Solus icon

    Solus

     70 likes

    Solus Operating System is a Linux distribution built from scratch, exclusively for desktop systems. There is no scope-creep associated with generic platforms, and the project aims to provide a modern and focused desktop-centric solution, that is designed to keep out of the way...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Solus screenshot 1
     
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    4
    9
    Comments about Solus as an Alternative to Ubuntu
    Guest
    Positive
    7

    Solus created the Budgie desktop. Solus is a rare curated-rolling-release distro. Solus has Steam Implementation Built-in, excellent for gamers. GUI to manage drivers and easy access to newer drivers. Not bloated like Ubuntu. The community is very kind and helpful.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    6

    It doesn't have many applets compared to Ubuntu Budgie, so customization on Solus, especially its flagship with Budgie is pretty limiting.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    mlemmark
    Negative
    3

    It has an alien-like package manager and small quantity of packages available. It's easy to use, but since it has very small number of packages, it tends to force the user [indirectly] to use snap/flatpak as the only way to have the application that are missing in their repos, but it also brings other issues.

    3 of 4 comments
    Solus icon
    Solus icon

    • Most users think Solus is a great Ubuntu alternative.

    • Solus is Free and Open SourceUbuntu is also Free and Open Source
  7. Raspberry Pi OS icon

    Raspberry Pi OS

     105 likes

    Raspberry Pi OS (previously called Raspbian) is the Foundation’s official supported operating system. You can install it with NOOBS or download the image below and follow our installation guide.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Raspberry Pi
    Raspberry Pi OS screenshot 1
     
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    3
    8
    Comments about Raspberry Pi OS as an Alternative to Ubuntu
    Guest
    Negative
    4

    it's cool, a debian for the raspberry, i use it for my pi's, but i am looking for a replacement for my desktop

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    adsmz
    Positive
    0

    it's an operating system. so is ubuntu

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    operfeito11
    Negative
    0

    its for raspberry pi, not desktop or laptop

    Raspberry Pi OS icon
    Raspberry Pi OS icon

    • Most users think Raspberry Pi OS is a great Ubuntu alternative.

    • Raspberry Pi OS is Free and Open SourceUbuntu is also Free and Open Source
  8. CentOS icon

    CentOS

     150 likes

    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 and strives to maintain 100% binary compatibility with its upstream distribution.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    The logon screen
     
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    1
    7
    Comments about CentOS as an Alternative to Ubuntu
    Guest
    Negative
    9

    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.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    CentOS icon
    CentOS icon

    • Most users think CentOS is a great Ubuntu alternative.

    • CentOS is Free and Open SourceUbuntu is also Free and Open Source
  10. Puppy Linux icon

    Puppy Linux

     101 likes

    Puppy Linux is a unique family of Linux distributions meant for the home-user computers. It was originally created by Barry Kauler in 2003.

    193 Puppy Linux alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Puppy Linux screenshot 1
     
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    2
    8
    Comments about Puppy Linux as an Alternative to Ubuntu
    operfeito11
    Negative
    0

    too lightweight, pain to do everything.

    Guest
    Negative
    0

    Puppy is for old computers.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Puppy Linux icon
    Puppy Linux icon

    • Most users think Puppy Linux is a great Ubuntu alternative.

    • Puppy Linux is Free and Open SourceUbuntu is also Free and Open Source
  11. KDE neon icon

    KDE neon

     50 likes

    KDE neon is an Ubuntu-based Linux distribution that offers a stable and easy-to-use platform, featuring the latest KDE Plasma desktop and application releases.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    KDE neon screenshot 1
     
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    1
    9
    Comments about KDE neon as an Alternative to Ubuntu
    Guest
    Positive
    6

    A good alternative to Ubuntu and Kubuntu because it only ships the necessary, no useless packages like Kubuntu. It's a minimalistic distro. If you want the new versions of Plasma Shell, you should install it instead of Kubuntu (Ubuntu with KDE).

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    KDE neon icon
    KDE neon icon

    • Almost everyone thinks KDE neon is a great Ubuntu alternative.

    • KDE neon is Free and Open SourceUbuntu is also Free and Open Source
    • KDE neon is Privacy focusedUbuntu is not according to our users
  12. Deepin icon

    Deepin

     60 likes

    Deepin is a reinterpretation to creativity and individuality. It is not only a rebirth to the system appearance, but also a brand-new upgrade to the operating experience! All of this lets deepin become the best partner of your computer.

    198 Deepin alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Deepin screenshot 1
     
    |
    3
    Comments about Deepin as an Alternative to Ubuntu
    mlemmark
    Positive
    4

    This distribution is a proof of concept, a proof that you don't need to be big to do big things, I mean, their created the whole set of apps, the desktop environment, the installer, basically all by themselves while Ubuntu still depends on GNOME and haven't created such beautiful, fast, modern desktop environment.

    Guest
    Negative
    3

    Bad translation, a lot of things, like its store is both in English and Chinese, they removed the internacional store function. They just care about the Chinese users and takes so long to send security updates and their store is very dated since it bases itself on Debian Stable.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    It does all Ubuntu does but with the most beautiful UI in a Linux ever.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Deepin icon
    Deepin icon

    • Most users think Deepin is a great Ubuntu alternative.

    • Deepin is Free and Open SourceUbuntu is also Free and Open Source
  13. Vanilla OS icon

    Vanilla OS

     16 likes

    Vanilla OS is an operating system built with simplicity in mind. It's fast, lightweight, beautiful and ready for all your daily tasks.

    92 Vanilla OS alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Vanilla OS Controls
     
  14. OpenBSD icon

    OpenBSD

     67 likes

    The OpenBSD project produces a FREE, multi-platform 4.4BSD-based UNIX-like operating system. Our efforts emphasize portability, standardization, correctness, proactive security and integrated cryptography.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • BSD
    Example OpenBSD 5.2 desktop using Gnome 3.4.2 desktop environment
     
  15. Haiku icon

    Haiku

     100 likes

    Haiku is an open-source operating system that specifically targets personal computing. Inspired by the BeOS, Haiku is fast, simple to use, easy to learn and yet very powerful.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Haiku
    • Self-Hosted
    Haiku screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    Comments about Haiku as an Alternative to Ubuntu
    Guest
    Negative
    6

    Very outdated, no one created programs for it, it's a forgotten OS. Very limited in packages, drivers and stuff.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Haiku icon
    Haiku icon
    • Haiku is Free and Open SourceUbuntu is also Free and Open Source
    • Haiku is Privacy focusedUbuntu is not according to our users
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