Choosing a Linux Distro: Which Distro?

Updated September 1, 2025

So, you have decided to install Linux on your desktop computer, laptop, or server and need to choose a distribution or “distro”. Or maybe you’re already a Linux user and are just looking to try out something new. Either way, with hundreds of different Linux distros available, the choice can be daunting, as each one offers its own unique set of advantages and trade-offs.

I’ve been using Linux for over twenty years across desktops, servers, and mobile devices. My daily drivers are Arch for desktop computing, which gives me state-of-the-art software, and Debian or Alpine on servers, where I prioritize rock-solid stability. This guide distills that hands-on experience into a framework to help you find the best distro for your needs.

Considerations

There are a few considerations you should think about when choosing a Linux distribution:

The look and feel of the distro

Do you like how the distro looks and the workflow it presents to you? This factor depends a lot on the DE (desktop environment) the distribution uses. You might want to take a look at “Choosing a Linux Distro: Which Desktop Environment?” to help with this.

The philosophy of the distribution and who is backing it

Do you prefer a more grassroots distro developed by the community or a distro with the financial and development backing of a corporation? Either one of these has its advantages. Often a community-based distribution will make choices based on what the user base wants whereas a corporate based distro will make choices on what is best for their business model. On the other hand, a corporate based distro can have more development resources behind it ensuring active development will continue. Check out my article, “Choosing a Linux Distro: Community-Based or Corporate-Backed?” to learn more about this.

Release cycle and update philosophy

Do you like a distro that stays the same and is reliable day in and day out like Debian or one that is constantly changing and providing all of the newest software and features like Arch Linux? Read “Choosing a Linux Distro: Rolling or Fixed?” to learn more about fixed vs rolling release distros.

My Top Choices

With hundreds of Linux distributions available to install, I have compiled some recommendations to help you with your choice. Whether you are just getting into Linux for the first time or are an experienced vet looking for something new, there should be an option for you on this list.

Debian

Origin: global
Date started: 1993
Based on: independent
Desktop environment(s): most available
Backed by: community
Release cycle: fixed release; two years
Support: 5 years
Homepage: https://www.debian.org
Difficulty level: 🔵 🔵 🔵 ⚪ ⚪ (intermediate)

Debian is one of the oldest still developed Linux distros and is both widely used and widely trusted. You’ll find Debian on everything from servers around the world to computers on the International Space Station. One of the main reasons for Debian’s success and wide adoption in these applications is its stability.

Rock solid stable

Debian is extremely reliable because of the philosophy of the Debian developers; packages are patched for security and critical bugs but not upgraded for features until the next version comes out. What this means is that for the two or more years you are using one version of Debian, it will be very unlikely for your operating system to break or change. Each version has 5 years of updates so even when the new version comes out you can take your time upgrading, ensuring a stable, consistent experience.

Ancient packages

Because of Debian’s philosophy on stability, your software will stay on older versions and you won’t get the latest and greatest features; you’ll have to wait for the next major version for feature upgrades. While this can be mitigated with some other packaging formats such as Flatpak or Snap, packages like your desktop environment will be older. If you want the newest features as they come out Debian may not be the best option. As well, if you have brand new, just released hardware, the older Linux kernel on Debian may not support it making Debian not an option for you.

Easy-ish to use

Debian is not quite as simple to install and configure as some other distros on this list but, because of its stability, Debian is very easy to maintain once you have everything configured. Installing a new desktop environment is quite simple on Debian; when you are installing the distro, you simply choose the DE you want including Cinnamon, Gnome, LXQt, MATE, Plasma, Xfce, and more. Package availability is excellent on Debian with most software you will want available in the software repositories and other software available through Flatpak or Snap.

The universal operating system

Debian coins itself as “the universal operating system” and for good reason. Debian will run on almost anything; it makes a great operating system for very old hardware with old or obscure architectures, is one of the best server operating systems available, and works great on modern hardware.

Debian has some downsides but really is one of the very best Linux distributions available.

Pros

• Huge software repository
• Unmatched reliability and stability, making it great for desktop and servers
• Adaptable: can be installed on virtually any type of hardware and with any DE

Cons

• Older software versions
• May be a more difficult option for someone completely new to Linux

Ubuntu

Origin: Isle of Man
Date started: 2004
Based on: Debian
Desktop environment(s): Gnome (flagship), most others through flavours
Backed by: large corporation (Canonical)
Release cycle: fixed release; 2 years (LTS version), 6 months (interim releases)
Support: 5 years (LTS versions), 9 months (interim releases)
Homepage: https://ubuntu.com
Difficulty level: 🔵 ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ (very beginner friendly)

Canonical, the corporation that develops Ubuntu, deserves a lot of credit for bringing Linux to the masses; many a Linux enthusiast started with Ubuntu including myself back in 2005. Ubuntu has always had a focus on being simple to use but still powerful.

Wrinkle-free

Ubuntu puts a lot of effort into a seamless user experience. The default desktop environment is a modified Gnome DE, it takes the powerful Gnome and makes it a bit easier to use and more intuitive with extensions that add features such as a panel and desktop icons. Ubuntu is also available in many other desktops through its flavours including Kubuntu (KDE), Xubuntu (Xfce), Ubuntu MATE (MATE), and others.

Stable or cutting edge?

A fairly unique feature of Ubuntu is that you have the choice of upgrading to their new point releases every 6 months to get newer software or you can stay on their LTS (long-term support) versions for more stability. Every two years Ubuntu releases an LTS version that is supported for 5 years (10 years with a free Ubuntu Pro account) giving you a very stable OS for desktop or servers similar to the Debian philosophy. Where Ubuntu differs, however, is they release a point release every 6 months that includes only 9 months of support but give you new packages and features. This means you can choose to stay on LTS if you want stability or move to the latest point release if you prefer new software. Ubuntu also addresses the issue with running a stable release on newer hardware with its Hardware Enablement allowing a newer kernel to be available on their stable LTS releases.

Corporate

Ubuntu is a distro that is supported by a corporation. Canonical develops Ubuntu and freely distributes it to users and businesses. They make their money selling support to businesses that use Ubuntu on their computers and servers. This means that the distribution is very likely to be actively developed for many years to come. This also means, however, that the decisions made by the developers will have the profits of the corporation in mind and may not always be what is best for the average user.

How could it be popular?

Ubuntu is the most popular Linux distribution which brings a few advantages. For one thing, online support is very easy to find since there are so many users and searching up a question you have online will probably yield some type of result. Another advantage to using a distro with this kind of popularity is software availability. With Ubuntu being as popular as it is, anybody making Linux compatible software will ensure that it runs well on Ubuntu.

There is a reason so many people run Ubuntu and you won’t go wrong if you choose this distribution.

Pros

• Compatibility of software and hardware: if it’s available for Linux it’s probably available for Ubuntu
• Versatile with LTS and point release options
• Tons of help available online being the most popular Linux distro
• LTS is very stable making it a great choice for servers

Cons

• Tends to focus on and push technologies that benefit servers and their commercial interests instead of the community
• History of dropping technologies quickly as seen in products like Ubuntu Phone and Ubuntu One

Linux Mint

Origin: Ireland
Date started: 2006
Based on: Ubuntu LTS, Debian (LMDE version)
Desktop environment(s): Cinnamon (flagship), MATE, Xfce
Backed by: community
Release cycle: fixed release; 6 months
Support: 5 years
Homepage: https://www.linuxmint.com
Difficulty level: 🔵 ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ (very beginner friendly)

Linux Mint was originally made as Ubuntu “done right” by including multimedia codecs and support for proprietary software and drivers out-of-the-box. Over time it evolved to be a very different project than Ubuntu with different visions and philosophies.

Community, community, community

Mint is a community distro that has a reputation for really listening to their users, making changes that the community supports, and even reverting changes that the community doesn’t like. Whether it is something large like desktop functionality or even something as simple as the default icon selection, Linux Mint time and time again has shown that it cares about what the users want.

Look familiar to anyone?

The flagship edition uses the Cinnamon desktop, packing in a ton of features while still being very performant. Linux Mint also develops versions with the MATE and Xfce desktop environments which are lighter weight options for less overhead and older hardware. All three of Mint’s variants have a similar look and feel with a panel at the bottom, menu on the bottom left, and system tray on the bottom right that is going to be very familiar to anyone used to Windows. This tried and true setup makes for an easy transition for new users to Linux and is a logical setup for many Linux veterans.

It works!

Linux Mint really does “just work”. Software is easy to install, update, and manage; services like printing and Bluetooth just work out-of-the-box; and any administrative tasks can be done with graphical tools. Linux Mint gives the user a complete experience that works well with all of the tools the average user needs right out of the box.

Stability!

Linux Mint is a very stable distribution; it is based off of Ubuntu LTS or Debian (for the LMDE version) and brings the stability and reliability of those distributions with it. On top of that, the Timeshift utility is preinstalled and easy to configure to allow you to easily roll your system back to a previous state if something goes wrong. Linux Mint also includes an easy way to install upgrades to the new version seamlessly.

If you want a “just works” distro that you’ll pick up on right away, you can’t do a whole lot better than Linux Mint.

Pros

• It just works: stable and extremely easy to use
• If you’re coming from Windows, the default layout will be an easy transition
• Developers respond to feedback of community and shape distro accordingly

Cons

• Being based on LTS versions of Ubuntu, software versions are older
• Default configuration has a lot of software installed and services running

Fedora

Origin: United States
Date started: 2003
Based on: independent
Desktop environment(s): Gnome (flagship), others available as Spins
Backed by: corporation (Red Hat)
Release cycle: fixed release; approximately 6 months
Support: 13 months
Homepage: https://fedoraproject.org
Difficulty level: 🔵 🔵 🔵 ⚪ ⚪ (intermediate)

Fedora strikes a unique balance between innovation and reliability. It’s where cutting-edge technologies often debut before making their way to other distributions. As the community-driven sibling to Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Fedora combines fresh software with a stable foundation.

Fresh but stable

Fedora delivers a sweet spot between bleeding-edge and reliability. You get recent kernel versions, updated desktop environments, and new software releases quickly after they’re available - typically within weeks. Yet unlike pure rolling releases, Fedora maintains a stable core that’s been thoroughly tested. Each release is supported for over a year, giving you time to plan upgrades.

Innovation showcase

Many Linux technologies debut in Fedora first. Systemd, PipeWire, Wayland - all these modern Linux components gained prominence through Fedora adoption. If you want to experience where Linux is heading while still having a reliable daily driver, Fedora delivers. It’s the perfect distro for developers and tech enthusiasts who want to stay current.

Corporate-backed community

Red Hat sponsors Fedora but the community drives development. This creates a powerful synergy: corporate resources ensure quality and longevity, while community involvement keeps the distribution focused on user needs. The result is a distro that’s both enterprise-ready and user-friendly.

The Immutable Future: Fedora Silverblue & Kinoite

Fedora also leads the way with its immutable desktop variants, Silverblue (Gnome) and Kinoite (KDE Plasma), providing a different workflow but representing a compelling and modern approach to desktop Linux. In these systems, the core operating system is locked down and becomes a read-only image that is updated as a single, reliable unit. This virtually eliminates the possibility of a broken system from a bad update. In these systems, applications are installed and managed entirely via Flatpak, Podman containers, or in dedicated, mutable spaces called “Toolboxes,” keeping the core OS pristine. This model is ideal for those who prioritize ultimate stability and security, or for developers who want a rock-solid base for their containerized work.

If you want a distro that’s both innovative and dependable, with excellent developer tools and a commitment to open source values, Fedora deserves your attention.

Pros

• Ideal balance of recent software and stability
• Excellent support for developers with latest tools and languages
• Strong commitment to open source principles
• Corporate-backed but community-driven model

Cons

• Shorter support cycle than LTS distros (13 months per release)
• Can be slightly more technical than beginner-focused distros
• Some proprietary drivers may require extra steps

The Nobara Project

Origin: United States
Date started: 2021
Based on: Fedora
Desktop environment(s): KDE Plasma (flagship), Gnome
Backed by: community
Release cycle: rolling
Support: rolling
Homepage: https://nobaraproject.org/
Difficulty level: 🔵 🔵 ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ (beginner friendly)

Nobara is a user-friendly modification of Fedora, designed by Red Hat engineer Thomas Crider (“GloriousEggroll”) to provide an out-of-the-box experience for gaming, streaming, and content creation.

Fedora, simplified and supercharged

Nobara’s core philosophy is to remove the traditional hurdles faced by new Linux users. It comes pre-configured with everything needed to start gaming or creating immediately: proprietary NVIDIA/AMD GPU drivers, multimedia codecs, gaming tools like Steam and Lutris, and content creation software like OBS Studio. This eliminates the need for tedious post-installation terminal commands that are often required on other distributions.

No fiddling required

The distro includes a suite of graphical tools that make system management effortless. The Welcome App guides you through initial setup, the Driver Manager handles graphics drivers with a few clicks, and the Tweak Tool simplifies system customization.

Rolling, but focused

Nobara transitioned to a rolling release model, ensuring you always have the latest kernel, graphics stacks, and performance patches for new games and hardware. While this means updates are continuous, the project’s focus on stability for its core use cases makes it generally reliable for beginners who want a hassle-free experience tailored for gaming and multimedia.

If you want a distro that “just works” for playing games, streaming, or editing videos without any manual setup, Nobara is one of the best choices available.

Pros

• Ultimate out-of-the-box experience for gaming and multimedia; no manual setup needed
• Excellent graphical tools for driver management and system tweaks
• Pre-configured with performance-enhancing patches and the latest software
• Vastly simplifies the Fedora base for desktop users

Cons

• The rolling release model, while generally stable, may require slightly more attention than a fixed-release LTS distro
• Heavily focused on gaming/creation; might include unneeded software for some users
• Relies heavily on a single main developer

Arch Linux

Origin: Canada
Date started: 2002
Based on: independent
Desktop environment(s): most available
Backed by: community
Release cycle: rolling
Support: rolling
Homepage: https://archlinux.org
Difficulty level: 🔵 🔵 🔵 🔵 ⚪ (advanced)

Arch Linux is a rolling release distribution that is not as easy to use as others but works well with its “keep it simple” philosophy.

Keep it simple, some assembly required

Arch Linux differs from most of the distros on this list with its “keep it simple” philosophy. This distro is by no means easy to install or maintain for an inexperienced user, but it allows the user to have full control and understanding of what is going on with their system. Right from the install this distro requires terminal commands and understanding of how Linux works (or a willingness to learn and work at it). The approach Arch uses means you get a distro that is exactly what you need and nothing more making it one of the most performant distros on this list while keeping things simple.

Latest and greatest packages

Arch is a perfect example of a rolling release distribution. As soon as a developer releases a new version of a piece of software, Arch Linux will be one of the first distros to get it. This means you get new features and bug fixes right away but also leads to more possibility of a bad update or a piece of software causing something to go wrong.

All software included

Arch has a huge library of up-to-date software in its repositories but it also gives you access to the Arch User Repository (AUR). The AUR is a collection of software recipes that come from the community allowing you to install almost any piece of software giving Arch possibly the largest software selection of any distro. The one downside to the AUR is that since it is all community submitted software recipes, there is no guarantee on quality or security so a beginner could get into trouble using software from this source.

Best-in-class documentation

While Arch can be harder to use, it has one of the most extensive sets of documentation available in the form of the ArchWiki. The ArchWiki is extremely thorough and has answers to most questions you will come up with. In fact, many people who don’t even use Arch Linux use its wiki since the information is often transferable to other distros.

If you want a distro that is fast, lean, proven, and you don’t mind some manual setup, go with Arch.

Pros

• Software is always up to date giving you the latest and greatest features
• You have full control in what software is installed making it an extremely lean system
• With a great wiki and a do-it-yourself style, you learn plenty about Linux
• Great software availability

Cons

• Being a rolling release, your system is more likely to run into issues that you need to fix
• Installation is not easy without some Linux knowledge and command line experience

CachyOS Linux

Origin: Germany
Date started: 2022
Based on: Arch Linux
Desktop environment(s): KDE Plasma (flagship), most available
Backed by: community
Release cycle: rolling
Support: rolling
Homepage: https://cachyos.org/
Difficulty level: 🔵 🔵 🔵 ⚪ ⚪ (intermediate)

CachyOS is a distro based on Arch Linux that is focused on an easy installation and performance.

Arch simplified

CachyOS is a distro that makes Arch Linux easier to use. With an easy to use installer and a lot of configuration options, CachyOS makes it possible to run Arch without being a Linux expert. CachyOS includes tools to help tweak your system, set up snapshots, and install software.

Super customizability

Right from install CachyOS gives you a ton of freedom to customize. From the boot manager (including my favourite, rEFInd) to the desktop environment, to the packages installed, you get to choose a lot in the install. And it doesn’t end there, CachyOS stays out of your way to customize to your liking and remains very ‘unopinionated’.

Ultimate performance

This distro has a focus on performance and includes numerous tweaks to get the optimal performance from you computer eking out the most performance in many benchmarks of any Linux distro. CachyOS is also designed with gaming in mind. This means getting software like Lutris and Steam to work is very simple and optimized for your system. Graphics drivers are also a piece of cake to get working properly on this distribution.

If you want a top performing distro with the latest and greatest software or just want to use Arch Linux with an easier entry point and some useful administration tools, try CachyOS.

Pros

• Up to date packages and excellent software availability due to Arch Linux base
• Tweaked “out-of-the-box” to perform better on gaming and media
• Many useful tools to make tweaking your system easier

Cons

• Not as stable as fixed release options
• Newer distro so longevity is not yet proven
• Not as lean as just using Arch Linux

Void Linux

Origin: Spain
Date started: 2008
Based on: Independent
Desktop environment(s): Xfce (flagship), most available
Backed by: community
Release cycle: rolling
Support: rolling
Homepage: https://voidlinux.org/
Difficulty level: 🔵 🔵 🔵 🔵 ⚪ (advanced)

Void is an independent Linux distro that is reminiscent to Arch in some ways with some distinct differences.

Minimal and fast

Void is a distro that aims at being minimal and fast. Void accomplishes this through a minimal number of packages and by using a different init system than most distributions (runit instead of systemd). Void is even more minimal in services and packages than Arch Linux creating a very responsive distribution where everything seems to just run quickly and nothing runs that you didn’t explicitly enable.

Experts welcome

The installation of Void definitely takes more knowledge than other distros on this list so it is probably not the best option for a beginner. Administration can also be more difficult with less documentation and help available compared to some of the more popular distributions. The documentation and community that exists is excellent and helpful but just not as large as found on other distros.

Slower roll

Void is a rolling release distribution meaning you consistently get upgrades to all of your software but it doesn’t roll as fast as some other releases giving you a more stable experience while not getting the newest packages right when they come out. This provides an excellent balance of reliability coupled with the latest software.

If you have experience with Linux and want to try something new, Void is a really solid choice.

Pros

• Great performance
• Very minimal distribution
• Large repository of software

Cons

• Not as much documentation as other, more popular distributions
• More difficult to install and set up

Gentoo

Origin: United States
Date started: 2002
Based on: independent
Desktop environment(s): most available
Backed by: community
Release cycle: rolling
Support: rolling
Homepage: https://www.gentoo.org/
Difficulty level: 🔵 🔵 🔵 🔵 🔵 (expert)

Gentoo is an old distro and one of the most used source-based distros. While it is an excellent Linux distribution, I definitely do not recommend it for beginners.

‘May the source be with you.’

Gentoo is different from the other distros on this list in that it is what is called a source-based distribution instead of a binary-based distribution. This means that instead of installing already built packages, Gentoo builds packages from their source code.

The main advantage to this that that you have more control in what features are our are not installed in packages and have the ability to more easily customize your system, you have full control.

The main trade-off that comes along with this is installation and updating of packages takes considerably longer and the level of expertise required to get the most out of a source-based distro is considerable.

‘Help me, Gentoo handbook; you’re my only hope.’

Gentoo has one of the most detailed and comprehensive wikis in the Linux world. While installing and administering your system can be a challenge with Gentoo, their excellent documentation is with you each step of the way

‘This is the way.’

If you want speed and optimization this is the way to do it, install Gentoo. Because if it’s optimizations and custom built nature, Gentoo is really one of the most performance distributions you can use. From its beginnings it was built to be both flexible and fast; it is, after all, named after the fastest swimming penguin in the world, the gentoo penguin.

If you’re willing to put in the work and learn and don’t mind updates taking longer, this distro is a superb choice.

Pros

• Fast and highly configurable
• Excellent documentation

Cons

• Not easy to install it administer
• Installation and updates can take a long time

Alpine Linux

Origin: Norway
Date started: 2005
Based on: Independent
Desktop environment(s): most available
Backed by: community
Release cycle: fixed release, 6 months
Support: 2 years
Homepage: https://www.alpinelinux.org/
Difficulty level: 🔵 🔵 🔵 🔵 🔵 (expert)

Alpine Linux is a small, simple, and secure server distro. While it can also be used as a general purpose OS for a desktop, it is designed for server use.

The air’s light up here!

Alpine is engineered to be a small, efficient base to build off of making it an extremely lightweight and performant distribution. In fact, it’s the lightest distro on this list with an unbelievably small footprint. This distro runs fast.

Get your hands dirty

The small footprint of Alpine means you really need to configure a lot of stuff manually. Stuff that just works on server distributions like Debian and Ubuntu Server, requires a lot more setup and configuring on Alpine. As well, since Alpine uses a different init system (openRC) than most distros (which use systemd), online tutorials and documentation that works with most Linux distributions may not apply to Alpine.

A fast, light, server

This distro has a more limited repository of software but works well with containerization software such as Podman or Docker making it a great choice for a light server, especially if you plan on using Docker or Podman containers. Why have the high overhead of a heavier distro when it’s not needed, in that case just use Alpine.

Desktop Linux?

While Alpine is designed as a server distro it can be set up as a super lightweight desktop distro as well with the ability to install most desktop environments. While more manual setup than a distribution geared as desktops, it does perform very well in that use case.

If you’re looking for a distro for your home server or an extremely lightweight desktop OS, Alpine Linux is definitely worth a look.

Pros

• Small, simple, and secure, only giving you what you need
• Well thought out package and service management
• Works well with popular server software such as Docker
• Versatile

Cons

• Not as much help/documentation available compared to more popular server distros
• Smaller repository of packages than distros such as Debian or Ubuntu
• More manual setup required

Top Picks for Specific Users and Use Cases

For quick reference I have included my top picks for different categories of users and use cases with a deep dive into each distro below.

Beginners

If you are a beginner and want a hassle-free distro that will “just work” out of the box with minimal configuration required, these are my top picks:

• Linux Mint — Perfect for Windows converts
• Nobara — The ultimate out-of-the-box experience for gaming and multimedia
• Ubuntu — Most documentation and support resources

Intermediate users

If you have used Linux before or are tech savvy and want a little bit more from your distro, these are my picks for you:

• CachyOS — High-performance Arch variant for gaming/workstations
• Debian — The universal OS for those who value stability
• Fedora — Excellent balance of innovation and reliability

Experts

If you know Linux and are ready for more of a challenge or you have the time to spend on really learning something new, these distros would be fantastic options:

• Alpine Linux — Ultimate lightweight customization
• Arch Linux — Complete control and bleeding-edge packages
• Gentoo — For ultimate source-based customization and performance
• Void Linux — For a stable-rolling, minimal, non-systemd system

Stability

If you want a distro that does not change a lot and is just rock-solid stable these are my recommendations:

• Alpine Linux — minimal, secure, and reliable
• Debian — proven server/desktop reliability
• Linux Mint — polished desktop experience
• Ubuntu — enterprise-grade with long support

Latest and greatest software

If you want the latest software as quick as possible my top choices would be these:

• Arch Linux — true rolling release
• CachyOS — optimized Arch variant
• Fedora — leading-edge technologies
• Gentoo — A source-based rolling release
• Nobara — Fedora’s new software, optimized for performance
• Void Linux — A stable, slower-rolling release that still provides recent software

Servers

If you need an operating system for a home server try one of these:

• Alpine Linux — lightweight container host
• Debian — proven universal server OS
• Gentoo — ultimate source-based customization for performance-critical servers
• Ubuntu — extensive cloud support

Whichever distribution you choose, it’s important to remember that Linux is very powerful and very customizable so you can take any of these distros and adjust them to your needs. Your best bet is to try some of these options out, experiment, learn, and most importantly have fun!

This post is part of a series on Choosing a Linux Distro:

1. Which Desktop Environment?
2. Rolling or Fixed Release?
3. Community-Based or Corporate-Backed?
4. Which Distro?
5. Mobile Edition

Next in the series ➤➤ Mobile Edition