Which Linux distribution to choose in 2021

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

The life hacker has chosen the best operating systems for a variety of tasks.

What to look for when choosing a Linux distribution

There are a huge number of Linux versions. In the entire history of the site, there were more than 700 of them. How to choose among this abundance? There are two main criteria to watch out for:

1. Distribution popularity … The more famous your distribution is, the easier it will be to find manuals on the web. A large community means that you can easily get help on thematic forums if you have any difficulties with mastering the distribution. Finally, the more common it is, the more applications and packages are ported for it. It is better to choose popular solutions with a ready-made package base than to struggle with building from source in some exotic distribution.
2. The development team that deals with it … Naturally, it's best to look at distributions that are supported by large companies like Canonical Ltd., Red Hat, or SUSE, or have large communities.

Keep in mind that even the best Linux distributions have analogues that are not inferior to them. If you are not satisfied with the choice of Lifehacker, you can try alternatives.

Linux Mint - For Those Who Have Never Used Linux

New users migrating from Windows should definitely install Linux Mint. It was once the most popular Linux distribution, but has now been overtaken by MX Linux and Manjaro. Nevertheless, Mint compares favorably with them in its stability and reliability. It is a very easy-to-use system based on Ubuntu.

Linux Mint is equipped with an easy and intuitive interface (Cinnamon shell for modern computers and MATE for old machines) and a convenient application manager, so you will not have any problems finding and installing programs.

• Pros: simplicity, care for ordinary users. You don't need any specific knowledge to install and use Mint.
• Minuses: a large number of pre-installed software that may never come in handy.
• Alternative: - Linux Mint based on Debian. More stable than the regular version, but the programs are updated less often. is a distribution based on Ubuntu. Its interface resembles Windows, which should make the transition easier for inexperienced users.

Manjaro - for those who want the latest software

Based on Arch, an incredibly powerful and functional distribution. Its KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) philosophy, as opposed to its name, makes Arch too difficult for beginners. This distribution is installed only through the command line.

Manjaro, unlike Arch, has a simple graphical installer while still combining powerful features like the AUR and rolling release. AUR (Arch User Repository) is the richest source of Linux packages. And in Manjaro, you'll always enjoy the freshest of them.

The distribution comes with a variety of desktop skins to choose from: functional KDE, GNOME for tablet screens, Xfce, LXDE, and more. With Manjaro installed, you can be sure to get the updates first.

• Pros: AUR, thanks to which you can install any application without unnecessary movements. Always fresh software.
• Minuses: a peculiar design of the shells of the desktop. However, nothing prevents you from replacing it. In addition, the standard edition of Manjaro has a lot of unnecessary built-in applications. If you want to install only the minimum necessary for work, try the version.
• Alternatives: - a distro, also based on Arch, but equipped with a beautiful KDE interface and a convenient installer.

Fedora is for those who want to try something new

Newbies most often install Ubuntu, its "progenitor" Debian, or one of their many derivatives, such as Linux Mint. However, in addition to this vast family, there is another powerful clan in the Linux world - the Red Hat Linux distributions. The most popular of these is Fedora.

Fedora is a kind of testing ground for Red Hat, where users try out the latest features and capabilities of applications and systems. Despite this, the Fedora Workstation edition is quite stable and well suited for the role of the main working system. The distribution is renowned for being the first to receive the latest editions of the GNOME Shell.

• Pros: many new features appear in Fedora earlier than other distributions. Moreover, the system is simple even for inexperienced users.
• Minuses: Many important codecs are missing from the standard Fedora distribution - for licensing reasons. The problem is solved by connecting the RPM Fusion repository.
• Alternatives: Deepin is a distribution kit from the Middle Kingdom. It features an interesting customizable interface and a nice WPS office. Based on Debian, it will appeal to exotic lovers.

Download Fedora →

Arch - for advanced users and those looking to learn Linux

Whatever die-hard Windows apologists may say, most Linux distributions are very easy to use. You will not have any difficulties with their installation: just click on the "Next" button several times, and the system will do everything for you. But this is not the case with Arch.

When you run this distro for the first time, it only shows you a blank black screen and a blinking cursor on the console. You will have to manually install the graphical shell, browser, other applications and system tools by typing the necessary commands.

Basically, Arch is a constructor from which an experienced user can build anything. If you want to understand how Linux works or experiment, you should definitely try Arch. If the console is fearful, then the distribution will be too complicated for you.

• Pros: AUR, which provides a huge number of applications, always fresh software, wide customization possibilities, excellent useful, high performance.
• Minuses: the distribution is not suitable for beginners. You will have to learn a lot of commands and read manuals.
• Alternatives: is one of the oldest distributions. His fans say, "If you learn Slackware, you learn all about Linux." Differs in stability and conservatism. - there are no convenient app stores in this distribution. Instead, you have to manually compile the programs you need from the source codes, courtesy of the developers. In theory, this gives a small bonus to system performance. - a distribution with an unusual file system organization, clearly inspired by macOS. Each program here lies in its own folder, which is unusual for other distributions. Suitable for those who are studying the internals of Linux or just want to experiment.

openSUSE - Desktop

This system is supported by the German company Novell. The distribution is simple enough for beginners. And, since openSUSE uses the KDE graphical environment, it is perfect as a main desktop system.

The philosophy of most Linux distributions is that one tool should only do one specific task. As a result, beginners often do not understand what and in what program needs to be done to get the system to work as it should. openSUSE has abandoned this principle for the sake of simplicity and convenience. Its signature feature is an application called YaST, which allows you to completely configure your system in a single window.

In YaST, you can add repositories, manage disk partitions, customize the appearance of the distribution, install new programs and packages, and so on. The program is logical, you will never lose the desired menu item.

The distribution has two update modes: Leap (stable, like in Ubuntu) and Tumbleweed (rolling release with the most interesting news, like in Arch). So you can choose between system stability and new features.

• Pros: convenient configuration manager YaST, a wide range of packages, a wonderful set of KDE applications.
• Minuses: the standard distribution does not contain many codecs and proprietary drivers - this is due to the terms of the license. To solve the problem, please install them manually after installing the system.
• Alternatives: Kubuntu is one of the most famous distributions with KDE, the graphical environment of which is ideal for use on the desktop. It is based on Ubuntu, which means you won't have any application compatibility issues. Another option is KDE Neon for those looking to try out the latest versions of KDE.

Download openSUSE →

elementary OS - for laptop

As the name suggests, this version of Linux is very simple. You will not have any problems with mastering it, it runs easily on laptops. It also slowly consumes battery power.

The elementary OS interface resembles macOS, so the distribution will be a pleasure to use for Mac fans. Animations, window decoration - everything here is so smooth and pretty that you can just admire the system. Nevertheless, behind the beautiful shell of elementary OS, there is a full-fledged Linux that supports all the applications necessary for the work.

The latest version of elementary OS Hera has received many innovations, the most notable of which are dark mode, the ability to watch videos in a pop-up window "picture-in-picture" and support for touchpad gestures, like in macOS.

• Pros: beautiful interface, own store of indie applications.
• Minuses: the Pantheon graphical shell, although it looks stylish, is not very functional. Few settings.
• Alternatives:, a distribution based on Ubuntu. Has a proprietary Pop Shell windowing system, which automatically arranges windows on the screen in the most efficient way. Thanks to this, Pop! _OS looks good on small screens of ultrabooks and transformers.

Ubuntu - for tablet or transformer

Ubuntu is one of the most popular Linux distributions on the desktop. It uses the GNOME graphical shell, which looks pretty good on touchscreen devices. If you have a Windows 10 tablet and want to try Linux on it, pick up Ubuntu with GNOME.

Large interface elements, customizable gestures and extensions make this distro a great touchscreen system.

• Pros: Ubuntu is a widespread distribution, which means you can easily find all the software you need. In addition, most Linux sites are dedicated to Ubuntu.
• Minuses: The GNOME shell is handy, but at first it seems strange.
• Alternative: - Budgie is used as a graphical environment - a nice lightweight interface that is quite convenient for use on touch screens.

Xubuntu - for an old computer or netbook

This version of Ubuntu is based on the Xfce shell, which is lightweight and resource-efficient. It is very undemanding but highly customizable. If you have a computer or netbook lying around that can't handle Windows, you can very well breathe life into it by installing Xubuntu.

This distribution consumes few system resources and is able to run on almost any configuration.

• Pros: a very fast and lightweight system that still supports the same packages and applications as its older sister Ubuntu.
• Minuses: shells like LXDE or i3 are faster than Xfce, although they have fewer features, so for really old machines it is better to choose them.
• Alternatives: Ubuntu MATE - The MATE shell is designed in a conservative spirit, it is very light and does not burden the computer. Nevertheless, it has enough features. Lubuntu is an even faster system based on LXDE / LXQT: less customization, more performance. Puppy Linux is a miniature "pocket" distribution that can even run on a PC with 300MB of RAM.

Download Xubuntu →

Debian - for home server

A home server can come in handy for many purposes. For example, to store data and backups, download torrents or arrange your own dimensionless cloud storage.

Debian will live well on your home server. It is a stable and conservative distribution that has become the basis for Ubuntu and many other Linux systems. It only uses the most tested packages, making it a great choice.

• Pros: stability and a wide range of applications.
• Minuses: the need to manually configure the distribution after installation.
• Alternatives: - worth a try if you think Debian is too awkward or lacks the software you need in its repositories.- based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux, highly stable. Therefore, CentOS is often used on the servers of commercial organizations.

openmediavault - for your own NAS storage

You've probably noticed that even the simplest ready-made NAS is, to put it mildly, expensive. openmediavault can turn any computer into storage.

Maybe you have an old laptop lying around somewhere or you want to find a use for a Raspberry Pi bought at a sale. Install openmediavault on your device, plug in a couple of hard drives, and you're done. The distribution kit allows you to easily configure a RAID array and access data via any popular network protocols, such as SSH, SMB / CIFS, FTP, Rsync, and so on.

In addition, you can expand the capabilities of your homemade NAS by connecting various plugins to openmediavault.

• Pros: a large number of settings, supports many file systems and plugins.
• Minuses: a newbie who has just installed openmediavault will have to read the documentation to figure out what's what.
• Alternatives: FreeNAS is not, strictly speaking, a Linux distribution, but FreeBSD. This is a great system for more advanced users who need to set up their own NAS. It has support for snapshots, self-healing ZFS, volume encryption, and many other goodies.

Download openmediavault →

Ubuntu Studio - for digital content creators

Those who edit their own movies, write and mix music, do 3D modeling, draw or typeset should try the specialized Ubuntu Studio distribution. The system has a huge number of tools for the professional creation of multimedia content - audio, graphics, video, animation, photographs, as well as printed publications.

Ubuntu Studio's built-in apps include Synfig Studio for 2D animations, Darktable and Rawtherapee for photo editing, Kdenlive, Pitivi and Openshot for video editing, Ardor and Rosegarden for sound engineers, Krita and GIMP for artists, and more.

• Pros: a lot of professional software, pre-installed and configured in advance.
• Minuses: Ubuntu Studio is only needed by professional content creators, it will be difficult for beginners here.
• Alternatives: Fedora Design Suite is a great distribution for artists, designers and 3D modelers, containing tools like GIMP, Inkscape, Blender, Scribus, Pitivi, SparkleShare, Krita, and GNOME Color Manager.

Download Ubuntu Studio →

Kodi - for media center

If you want to host your media server, go for Kodi. Strictly speaking, this is not a distribution, but a full-featured player for a media center. You can install it on any Linux, but it is best to choose a bundle of Ubuntu + Kodi.

It supports all types of video and audio files. He knows how to play movies, music, organize your photos. Kodi turns any connected TV into a one-stop entertainment device.

Thanks to the extensions, Kodi can download media files via torrents, track the new seasons of your favorite TV shows, show videos from YouTube and other streaming services. In short, he can do everything.

In addition, Kodi is very beautiful and optimized for remote control or Android devices. You can easily customize its interface with a variety of visual skins.

• Pros: a huge number of functions and convenient control.
• Minuses: The standard interface may not be to everyone's liking, but it is easy to replace.
• Alternatives: - an application for creating a media server like Kodi. It can be installed on any Linux distribution or on a TV set-top box. Plex has a premium version that offers some additional features. is an open source media organizer that can be installed on any Linux distribution or on your own mini-server, such as the Raspberry Pi. With it, any TV will become smart.

Parrot Security - for experimenters and security professionals

Whether you are a network security professional, do penetration testing, or just want to play hacker, Parrot Security is for you. The distribution kit contains a huge arsenal of tools for penetration testing, that is, checking various systems and networks for hacking resistance.

However, please note that Parrot Security's capabilities are overkill for most casual users. Which, however, does not prevent some from installing this distribution simply as a system for a desktop - perhaps as a tribute to fashion.

• Pros: great set of tools for pentesting.
• Minuses: very niche distribution.
• Alternative: Kali, another distribution for security testers, contains many built-in applications that will help you scan your Wi-Fi network for vulnerabilities or find a weak spot in your server's security. Tails is an operating system for the paranoid: all Internet connections here are made through the anonymous Tor network. All data in Tails is encrypted. If necessary, it can work from RAM without installation, leaving no traces.

Download Parrot Security →

The text was last updated on January 21, 2021.