Looking to explore the world of Linux? Check out our guide to the best Linux distributions for beginners, including Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Zorin OS.
If you’re faced with choosing a Linux operating system and are lost among the many distributions, don’t worry: you’re not alone. Proper Linux is important for both beginners and experienced users. In this article, we’ll look at the best Linux distributions to find the right one for your needs and preferences.
What is Linux: Key Features
Unlike Windows and macOS, Linux is a free and open operating system that is not owned by anyone. Anyone can view, modify, check for bugs and vulnerabilities, and then distribute the system at their own discretion. And even though development is managed by the central organization Linux Foundation and even by a specific person (Linus Torvalds), even they cannot remove Linux from circulation or prohibit its modification.
Thanks to this feature, Linux can be rebuilt and adapted for a variety of purposes – from games and office work to corporate servers and scientific computing. There are no fees or changes required. Each role will use only the necessary components, which increases stability and productivity, but fragments the community.
Pros and cons of the system
Linux has obvious advantages over closed Windows and macOS. But there are also a number of disadvantages that it would be better to know about in advance.
Pros of Linux
- Open source: developers can freely modify the system to suit their needs, share their work with friends, and even offer it for the main version. And users can be confident in the transparency and security of the software.
- Flexibility and customizability: Linux offers enormous customization capabilities for various tasks and needs, allowing you not only to add the necessary modules, but also to disable everything unnecessary.
- Stability and Security: Linux is famous for its stability and security. Thanks to the open architecture and active developer community, vulnerabilities are usually fixed quickly, and the system is rarely subject to virus attacks.
Cons of Linux
- Difficulty for beginners: Even the most basic features can be difficult to find or completely absent in a particular distribution. But this problem is becoming less and less relevant – the Internet is full of lessons, and the quality of Linux is growing, including in terms of convenience for new users.
- Compatible with business, scientific and government software: Linux supports thousands of applications, but some programs may not be available or require additional effort to install and run. For example, Adobe applications are not built for Linux – alternatives will need to be found.
- Heterogeneity of interfaces: due to the diversity of distributions and window managers, users may encounter different interfaces and ways of interacting with the system, which can cause confusion when moving from one distribution to another, and sometimes applications may look and operate differently within the same distribution .
The Best Linux Distributions for Beginners
When working with Linux, the most difficult thing to start with is the choice is huge and can scare a beginner, and in thematic communities everyone recommends their most stable Linux distribution . But there are versions for beginners that will make the transition simple and comfortable.
Ubuntu
Ubuntu is famous for its ease of installation and intuitive interface. Even those who are new to Linux can easily start using Ubuntu thanks to its friendly desktop environment. And popularity among users attracts developers – Ubuntu has the most applications, updates are released regularly, and problems are fixed quite quickly.
However, behind the distribution is the commercial company Canonical, which gained notoriety after advertising contracts with Amazon and other stores, selling them search data and displaying their products directly in the interface of several versions of Ubuntu. After negative reviews, Canonical removed this feature, but suspicions remained: why install Linux if this system behaves like Windows?
Elementary OS
The Elementary OS distribution is based on Ubuntu, but offers a more elegant interface and many native applications that will make everyday work with the system easier. The authors have redesigned everything – the file manager, windows, settings and even the calendar – to create the best Linux for aesthetes. It is also free of dubious Ubuntu components and is compatible with all popular hardware. Interestingly, you can pay for Elementary upon download, and there is also a donation system available in the app store – all to avoid funding from evil corporations.
Manjaro
Manjaro is based on Arch Linux, but Arch is considered difficult to learn, many tasks there are solved on the command line, while Manjaro is a version for less experienced users, it has a nice interface and its own services. It’s easier to install and configure, but the distribution is more suitable for developers who want to move from Windows than for office workers.
Linux Mint
Perhaps the simplest and most reliable option for a beginner is Linux Mint. Initially, it was more of a version of Ubuntu with commercial codecs, which was installed on a country computer to watch movies. Over time, the authors found the ideal formula – Linux for people, without frills and bugs. The system is highly reliable, even if used by children or elderly people. It is ideal for office, gaming, movies and even graphics work.
For advanced users already familiar with Linux
If you stop being afraid and find a love for customizing every corner of the system, you can try more demanding distributions. But even among enthusiasts there is enough debate about which Linux to choose .
Arch Linux
Arch Linux gives the user complete control, allowing you to tailor the system to your specific needs and preferences during the installation phase. It uses the latest libraries and components, making it suitable for enthusiasts who want to be the first to try new technologies.
Behind this lie the main problems of Arch: the result obtained may be unstable, and being on the cutting edge of technology is not always more effective than hiding behind stable versions.
Slackware
The oldest distribution that is still in production, Slackware began development in 1993 and is still being updated today. The creation is managed by an incredibly conservative team that values stability. This means that the available features are polished, but major updates are released every two or three years, and new technologies or even modern processors may simply not be supported in the main version of the distribution.
Gentoo
The system has a similar ideology to Arch, with deep customization and the same problems with the stability of fresh components. A distinctive feature of Gentoo is Portage – an environment for installing applications that not only pulls up all the dependencies (for program A, libraries B and C are needed), but also allows you to install only the necessary parts of the program or automate the installation and update processes. System administrators will really like this to quickly deploy standard sets of programs for specific roles.
Fedora Workstation
The authors call their distribution the leader among all Linux options for personal computers. And these are not empty words – Fedora is the fastest to adapt new versions of the Linux kernel and the most important libraries. It’s easier to work with than Arch or Gentoo, but also makes the user an early adopter who can look at updates six months before they hit Ubuntu.
For advanced users
However, you can go further! Let’s figure out which Linux to choose to solve core problems and support the highest level of security.
Kali Linux
Image source: Gased Basek, Wikipedia
Thus, Kali Linux is designed for security testing and includes a wide range of tools for testing and analyzing networks and applications. It doesn’t just support such applications, but comes out of the box with Nmap, Wireshark, Metasploit and other useful programs in this area.
At the same time, the distribution is based on Debian , which means it’s easy to upgrade and install more everyday applications if you need them.
Parrot Security
Parrot Security is also focused on security and provides a wide range of testing tools, as well as tools for online privacy and anonymity. The latter adds to its notoriety not only as a tool for protection against cybercrimes, but also as a method for committing them.
Qubes OS
Qubes OS achieves a high level of security by isolating applications and data in virtual machines – within one system there are many isolated from each other. This makes it attractive to users who require a high degree of privacy and security. But due to the use of virtualization for security, Qubes OS requires more powerful hardware compared to other Linux distributions.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux
REHL is the most popular commercial distribution. It only includes stable updates after testing in Fedora and CentOS, but Red Hat promises long-term support and does not require changing the version every year or two. But the price tag is steep – a license for one working computer costs about $200, and for each server – almost $400.
A selection of distributions for laptops and weak PCs
Since the system can be modified without any problems, experts are also concerned about releasing lightweight versions. Almost every popular distribution has them, they can be a good starting point for owners of old computers, but they do not deprive them of the opportunity to add something after installation.
Lakka
Image source: softpedia.com
Perhaps the most unusual distribution today: Lakka can turn an old computer into a retro console. The system uses a PlayStation-like interface, but supports games from the NES, SNES, and more. The more powerful your PC ‘s hardware , the more demanding games it can emulate. But even an old laptop can easily download games from the nineties. It turns out to be an excellent option, for example, for a country holiday, so that there is something to do in bad weather.
Lubuntu
Lubuntu is based on Ubuntu and because of this it often tops the list of Linux distributions for low-end PCs. It’s a complete system for any task, but unlike the original version, Light uses the lightweight LXQt desktop, making it a great choice for older computers or laptops with limited resources. In addition, the authors have removed many pre-installed applications so that the user can install only what he really needs.
Elementary OS
Elementary OS offers a stylish and modern user interface that makes it appealing to macOS fans. It’s not the lightest system, but it’s faster than basic Ubuntu, for example. Therefore, for computers released less than ten years ago, Elementary is quite suitable.
Linux distributions for servers
A separate story is the work of servers. Most cloud storages, servers for your favorite games, websites and social networks run on Linux.
Ubuntu Server
The server version of Ubuntu dispenses with a graphical interface and user applications, but is controlled by commands through the terminal. But it uses a similar file structure, and also supports a huge number of libraries and programs for running websites and other cloud systems. Despite this flexibility, the authors managed to preserve the spirit of Ubuntu – servers based on this distribution are very stable, and a beginner can easily get used to it using the articles and videos available on the Internet.
CentOS
For many years, CentOS has been the standard choice for individuals and businesses. This is a stable system that supports everything from popular game servers to website control panels. After all, it is based on the commercial Red Hat Enterprise Linux, which has been preferred by large companies for more than 20 years.But now the availability of a version of Ubuntu for personal PCs has allowed Canonical to displace CentOS from its usual place – hosting and VPS are increasingly offering to start with Ubuntu, because new software is released and updated faster. Many programs are no longer available on CentOS at all. On the other hand, thousands of companies around the world have written libraries for this distribution, and therefore businesses cannot abandon it without losses.
Debian
The Debian distribution is one of the oldest and most stable versions of Linux. It once became the basis for Ubuntu, which makes both systems only stronger – for example, they use the same application installers, console commands and a similar file storage structure. All this makes the transition between Debian and Ubuntu much easier than between either of them and CentOS.
Top 5 popular and stable; Best Linux Distributions for Beginners
It’s easy to get confused in the Linux world, but most distributions within are based on Debian, Ubuntu, Arch or Red Hat. They differ in the format of the installation files, the set of standard applications and the desktop environment. And in each direction there are one or two distributions that are considered the most obvious choice.
- Ubuntu: remains one of the most popular Linux distributions due to its ease of installation, wide hardware support, extensive package repositories, and active user community.
- Linux Mint: Based on Ubuntu, it is also very popular due to its attractive Windows-like user interface, easy installation and stability.
- Manjaro: A fast growing Linux distribution that is based on Arch Linux. It differs from its ancestor in its simple installation, but will also delight you with current updates, a wide selection of pre-installed programs and an active community.
- Fedora: A Linux distribution that is actively developed and maintained by the community and Red Hat (along with their enterprise distribution Red Hat Enterprise and server CentOS).
- Debian: became the basis for Ubuntu and remains one of the most important Linux distributions. It is known for stability, reliability, wide architectural support and a large number of packages.
At the same time, Manjaro, Fedora and Debian may seem complicated for a novice user as soon as problems arise or the need to find the right software. And for beginners with a thirst for adventure, it is better to try POP!_OS or Elementary.
Which Linux to choose for home use
Before deciding which Linux to choose for home use , it is worth assessing the audience – a person may be switching from Windows or macOS, or may have no computer experience at all.
Most home users switching from Windows will benefit from the Linux Mint distribution – this is the simplest and most stable system that even children or elderly people can master. It is equally suitable for office and gaming, and supports almost all hardware and applications for Ubuntu.
But those who are accustomed to the aesthetics of macOS may like Elementary OS more – in the standard version, this distribution uses a dock instead of a taskbar, Mac-like windows and a file manager. And the general ideology of Elementary OS is obviously inspired by the work of Apple – do less, but polish it to a shine.
FAQ
What is a distribution?
Unlike Windows and macOS, where the system is created by a single commercial company, Linux remains an open environment where anyone can propose changes or even create their own version – a distribution. The version may have its own set of applications and their installer, its own file storage system, drivers, settings, and even simply backgrounds for the desktop. However, there are also requirements – simply changing backgrounds and fonts does not count as creating a new distribution.
How to install and uninstall applications on Linux?
Programs in Linux are not solid, but consist of modules called packages. And therefore can waste less space using each other’s packages. Previously, applications were installed exclusively through the terminal (command line), but now, as in Windows, many can be downloaded as a file, which itself will install everything necessary. However, .exe files are not supported at the system level in Linux, and therefore installers for Windows do not work here.
But hidden under the hood, even the installation file has commands for package managers such as APT (for Debian and its derivatives such as Ubuntu) or YUM/DNF (for Fedora and CentOS). To install the program through the terminal, simply run the command sudo apt install package_name or sudo yum install package_name. And vice versa – they are removed using the command sudo apt remove or sudo yum remove.
How to update the system in Linux?
In most modern distributions, this procedure occurs through the update manager. It may require rebooting several times, but the process is automatic and rarely requires user attention. The main thing is not to interrupt updates during installation, otherwise the system may be damaged.
Is it possible to use Linux and Windows on the same computer?
Yes, it is possible to install and use Linux and Windows on the same computer using dual boot. In this case, each operating system will have its own file system and disk partitions.
When using one disk, it is better to install Windows first and then Linux – in this case, during installation there will be an option for both systems to work together, and when the computer starts, a system selection menu will appear. But it is much safer to put them on different disks without modifying the boot record.
However, it is important to remember that Windows will not be able to read files from partitions formatted for Linux file systems (such as ext4) without the use of specialized drivers or tools. Linux will be able to see FAT and FAT32, but will have limitations when working with NTFS.
Can I play on Linux? Do all games work?
Yes, you can play, but the stability and availability of games varies. There are many games that are specifically adapted for Linux (they are rewritten and repackaged for this purpose). There are games that can be run using a compatibility environment such as Wine or Steam Play (Proton). It’s also worth noting that there are plenty of emulators available for Linux, making life easier for retro console fans.
However, not all games will run smoothly on Linux due to differences in APIs and graphics drivers. First of all, Linux players rarely receive support for new products with advanced graphics on release day; they may have to wait several months for them to launch. And also many online games will not work, because their protection system is only compatible with Windows.
What to do if you encounter a problem in Linux?
First of all, if an error appears on the screen, it is better to write down the text or take a good quality photo so that you can show it to more experienced users. For most common problems, it is easy to find instructions on the Internet, including in video format. And if you don’t find one, you can ask a question on a thematic forum – the Linux community will try to help.
