Linux Mint alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Linux Mint: older kernels and apps can struggle with brand-new hardware, and cinnamon trails GNOME and KDE on Wayland support. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Linux Mint, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Ubuntu currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#	App	Pricing	Open source	Platforms	Verified facts	Score
1	Windows	Paid	No	Windows	4 of 4	40.0

1. WindowsTop pick
Best for: PC gamers and anyone needing the widest choice of hardware and desktop software
PaidWindows
40.0
score / 100
Why switch from Linux Mint
Back to the broadest app and game support if Linux compatibility gets in the way.
Pros
Largest library of desktop apps and PC games
Runs on hardware from many manufacturers at every price
Pro edition adds BitLocker, Hyper-V and business management
Cons
Strict hardware requirements leave many older PCs out
Microsoft account and internet required during Home setup
Built-in ads and upsells in the interface
Visit Windows Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.312
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.1585
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Windows a good Linux Mint alternative?
Verified facts
4 of 4 verified
Minimum RAM
4 GB
Checked Oct 25, 2026microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
Minimum storage
64 GB
Checked Oct 25, 2026microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
Microsoft account
Required during setup (Home)
Checked Oct 25, 2026microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
Virtualization
Hyper-V support
Checked Oct 25, 2026microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Linux Mint alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Best Linux Mint alternative for most people

Ubuntu

The base Mint is built on, with wider vendor support and Canonical's commercial backing.

Best Linux Mint alternative for a free option

Fedora Linux

Newer kernels and desktops for recent hardware, with stock GNOME or KDE.

Best Linux Mint alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Zorin OS

Also Ubuntu-based and beginner-friendly, but with switchable Windows- and macOS-style layouts and phone sync built in.

Best Linux Mint alternative for open source

Debian

The upstream foundation, with fewer extras but a fully community-run, very stable base.

Best Linux Mint alternative for Mac

macOS

The pick for someone leaving Linux Mint for a polished, commercial desktop on Apple hardware, while keeping a Unix terminal underneath.

Best Linux Mint alternative for Windows

Windows

Back to the broadest app and game support if Linux compatibility gets in the way.

Best Linux Mint alternative for Linux

Ubuntu

The base Mint is built on, with wider vendor support and Canonical's commercial backing.

Linux Mint alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Linux Mint?

Ubuntu ranks first right now. The base Mint is built on, with wider vendor support and Canonical's commercial backing. Fedora Linux and Debian follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Linux Mint?

Yes. Ubuntu (open source), Fedora Linux (open source), Debian (open source) and Zorin OS (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Linux Mint?

Yes: Ubuntu, Fedora Linux, Debian and Zorin OS.

Which Linux Mint alternatives work on Linux?

Ubuntu, Fedora Linux, Debian and Zorin OS run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Linux Mint?

The complaints we hear most: older kernels and apps can struggle with brand-new hardware; cinnamon trails GNOME and KDE on Wayland support; small core team compared with Ubuntu or Fedora.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Linux Mint, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.