MX Linux alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 29, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave MX Linux: debian Stable base means older app versions, and default look feels dated next to Mint or Zorin. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces MX Linux, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Linux Mint currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#	App	Pricing	Open source	Platforms	Verified facts	Score
1	Linux Mint	Open source	Yes	Linux	4 of 4	68.8
2	Debian	Open source	Yes	Linux	4 of 4	64.8
3	Zorin OS	Free plan + paid	Yes	Linux	5 of 5	61.8
4	Ubuntu	Open source	Yes	Linux	4 of 4	59.4
5	Fedora Linux	Open source	Yes	Linux	5 of 5	57.5

1. Linux MintTop pick
Best for: Windows users switching to Linux who want a familiar desktop that works out of the box
Open sourceLinux
68.8
score / 100
Why switch from MX Linux
Similar beginner-friendly desktop with a more polished look and its own set of graphical tools.
Pros
Familiar Windows-like desktop with little to relearn
Multimedia support and common drivers work out of the box
Long support per release and conservative updates
Free, with no Snap packages pushed on you
Cons
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
Visit Linux Mint Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.3100
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Linux Mint a good MX Linux alternative?
Verified facts
4 of 4 verified
Price
Free
Checked Oct 29, 2026linuxmint.com(opens source in a new tab)
Based on
Debian and Ubuntu
Checked Oct 29, 2026linuxmint.com(opens source in a new tab)
Editions
Cinnamon, MATE, Xfce
Checked Oct 29, 2026linuxmint.com(opens source in a new tab)
Release base
Long-term support releases only
Checked Oct 29, 2026linuxmint.com(opens source in a new tab)
2. Debian
Best for: People who value a stable, community-governed system for servers or long-lived desktops
Open sourceLinux
64.8
score / 100
Why switch from MX Linux
The plain upstream MX builds on, for those who want the same base without MX's extras.
Pros
Very stable, well-tested releases
Huge package archive and no corporate agenda
Choice of desktops, or a minimal server install
Free and community-governed
Cons
Stable releases ship older apps and kernels
Less hand-holding during install than Ubuntu or Mint
Major releases come only about every two years
Visit Debian Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.387
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Debian a good MX Linux alternative?
Verified facts
4 of 4 verified
Packages
70,000+
Checked Oct 29, 2026debian.org(opens source in a new tab)
Package manager
APT
Checked Oct 29, 2026debian.org(opens source in a new tab)
Free operating system
Yes
Checked Oct 29, 2026debian.org(opens source in a new tab)
Governance
Volunteer community
Checked Oct 29, 2026debian.org(opens source in a new tab)
3. Zorin OS
Best for: Windows or Mac users trying Linux for the first time, or reviving an older PC
Free plan + paidOpen sourceLinux
61.8
score / 100
Why switch from MX Linux
Windows-like layout and a Lite edition for older PCs, aimed at people coming from Windows.
Pros
Desktop layouts that mimic Windows and macOS lower the learning curve
Ubuntu base means wide app and hardware support
Zorin Connect phone integration is built in
Runs well on older hardware
Cons
Several layouts and bundled apps are reserved for the paid Pro edition
Major releases lag behind the Ubuntu LTS they are based on
Smaller community than Ubuntu or Linux Mint for troubleshooting
Visit Zorin OS Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.377
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Zorin OS a good MX Linux alternative?
Verified facts
5 of 5 verified
Free edition
Core edition free
Checked Oct 29, 2026zorin.com(opens source in a new tab)
Paid edition
Pro, one-time payment
Checked Oct 29, 2026zorin.com(opens source in a new tab)
Based on
Ubuntu
Checked Oct 29, 2026zorin.com(opens source in a new tab)
Support period
Zorin OS 18 until at least June 2029
Checked Oct 29, 2026zorin.com(opens source in a new tab)
Open source
Yes
Checked Oct 29, 2026zorin.com(opens source in a new tab)
4. Ubuntu
Best for: People moving to Linux who want the widest software support and long-term security updates
Open sourceLinux
59.4
score / 100
Why switch from MX Linux
The most widely supported desktop Linux, with newer packages and commercial backing.
Pros
Widest software and hardware vendor support of any desktop Linux
LTS releases get five years of standard security updates
Huge community, so answers to most problems are easy to find
Free, including Ubuntu Pro on a few personal machines
Cons
Snap packages are pushed by default and can be slow to start
GNOME with Canonical's tweaks feels less familiar to Windows users than Mint
Interim releases are supported for only nine months
Visit Ubuntu Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.369
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Ubuntu a good MX Linux alternative?
Verified facts
4 of 4 verified
Price
Free
Checked Oct 29, 2026ubuntu.com(opens source in a new tab)
LTS support
5 years, new LTS every 2 years
Checked Oct 29, 2026ubuntu.com(opens source in a new tab)
Ubuntu Pro
Free on up to 5 machines
Checked Oct 29, 2026ubuntu.com(opens source in a new tab)
Extended coverage
Up to 15 years with Ubuntu Pro
Checked Oct 29, 2026ubuntu.com(opens source in a new tab)
5. Fedora Linux
Best for: Developers and enthusiasts who want current software and an unmodified GNOME or KDE desktop
Open sourceLinux
57.5
score / 100
Why switch from MX Linux
Newer desktop software and a cutting-edge stack for those finding Debian Stable too old.
Pros
Recent kernels, GNOME and KDE soon after they ship
Stock desktops without heavy vendor changes
Atomic editions like Silverblue offer a read-only, rollback-friendly system
Free and community-run with strong Red Hat backing
Cons
Short support window means upgrading about once a year
Proprietary codecs and NVIDIA drivers need extra setup
Less third-party software targets Fedora than Ubuntu
Visit Fedora Linux Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.363
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Fedora Linux a good MX Linux alternative?
Verified facts
5 of 5 verified
Open source
Yes
Checked Oct 29, 2026fedoraproject.org(opens source in a new tab)
Sponsor
Red Hat
Checked Oct 29, 2026fedoraproject.org(opens source in a new tab)
Workstation desktop
GNOME
Checked Oct 29, 2026fedoraproject.org(opens source in a new tab)
KDE edition
Yes
Checked Oct 29, 2026fedoraproject.org(opens source in a new tab)
Atomic desktop
Silverblue
Checked Oct 29, 2026fedoraproject.org(opens source in a new tab)

The best MX Linux alternative for…

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

Best MX Linux alternative for most people

Linux Mint

Similar beginner-friendly desktop with a more polished look and its own set of graphical tools.

Best MX Linux alternative for a free option

Debian

The plain upstream MX builds on, for those who want the same base without MX's extras.

Best MX Linux alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Zorin OS

Windows-like layout and a Lite edition for older PCs, aimed at people coming from Windows.

Best MX Linux alternative for open source

Ubuntu

The most widely supported desktop Linux, with newer packages and commercial backing.

Best MX Linux alternative for Linux

Fedora Linux

Newer desktop software and a cutting-edge stack for those finding Debian Stable too old.

MX Linux alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to MX Linux?

Linux Mint ranks first right now. Similar beginner-friendly desktop with a more polished look and its own set of graphical tools. Debian and Zorin OS follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to MX Linux?

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

Is there an open-source alternative to MX Linux?

Yes: Linux Mint, Debian, Zorin OS and Ubuntu, plus 1 more in the list above.

Which MX Linux alternatives work on Linux?

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

Why do people switch from MX Linux?

The complaints we hear most: debian Stable base means older app versions; default look feels dated next to Mint or Zorin; volunteer-run, with community-only support.

How is this list ranked?

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

Quick comparison

1. Linux MintTop pick

Pros

Cons

Verified facts

2. Debian

Pros

Cons

Verified facts

3. Zorin OS

Pros

Cons

Verified facts

4. Ubuntu

Pros

Cons

Verified facts

5. Fedora Linux

Pros

Cons

Verified facts

The best MX Linux alternative for…

Best MX Linux alternative for most people

Best MX Linux alternative for a free option

Best MX Linux alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Best MX Linux alternative for open source

Best MX Linux alternative for Linux

MX Linux alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to MX Linux?

Is there a free alternative to MX Linux?

Is there an open-source alternative to MX Linux?

Which MX Linux alternatives work on Linux?

Why do people switch from MX Linux?

How is this list ranked?