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Pop!_OS alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 8, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rankAll operating systems

Top picks

Common reasons people leave Pop!_OS: secure Boot must be turned off before installing, and COSMIC is newer than GNOME or KDE, so some settings and extensions are still missing. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Pop!_OS, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Ubuntu currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingVerified priceOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Ubuntu logoUbuntuOpen source—YesLinux4 of 468.8
2Linux Mint logoLinux MintOpen source—YesLinux4 of 464.8
3Fedora Linux logoFedora LinuxOpen source—YesLinux5 of 561.8
4Zorin OS logoZorin OSFree plan + paid—YesLinux5 of 559.4
5CachyOS logoCachyOSOpen source—YesLinux5 of 557.5
6Kubuntu logoKubuntuOpen source—YesLinux5 of 555.9
  1. Ubuntu logo

    1. UbuntuTop pick

    Best for: People moving to Linux who want the widest software support and long-term security updates

    Open sourceLinux

    68.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Pop!_OS

    The base Pop!_OS builds on, with GNOME, Canonical support and the largest pool of guides and certified hardware.

    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 ×0.3100
    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 Ubuntu a good Pop!_OS alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Price
    Free
    Checked Nov 8, 2026ubuntu.com(opens source in a new tab)
    LTS support
    5 years, new LTS every 2 years
    Checked Nov 8, 2026ubuntu.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Ubuntu Pro
    Free on up to 5 machines
    Checked Nov 8, 2026ubuntu.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Extended coverage
    Up to 15 years with Ubuntu Pro
    Checked Nov 8, 2026ubuntu.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Linux Mint logo

    2. Linux Mint

    Best for: Windows users switching to Linux who want a familiar desktop that works out of the box

    Open sourceLinux

    64.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Pop!_OS

    Another Ubuntu-based desktop aimed at newcomers, with a traditional Cinnamon layout instead of tiling.

    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 ×0.387
    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 Linux Mint a good Pop!_OS alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Price
    Free
    Checked Nov 8, 2026linuxmint.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Based on
    Debian and Ubuntu
    Checked Nov 8, 2026linuxmint.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Editions
    Cinnamon, MATE, Xfce
    Checked Nov 8, 2026linuxmint.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Release base
    Long-term support releases only
    Checked Nov 8, 2026linuxmint.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Fedora Linux logo

    3. Fedora Linux

    Best for: Developers and enthusiasts who want current software and an unmodified GNOME or KDE desktop

    Open sourceLinux

    61.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Pop!_OS

    Ships newer kernels and desktop releases faster, with a stock GNOME or KDE experience.

    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 ×0.377
    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 Fedora Linux a good Pop!_OS alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Open source
    Yes
    Checked Nov 8, 2026fedoraproject.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Sponsor
    Red Hat
    Checked Nov 8, 2026fedoraproject.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Workstation desktop
    GNOME
    Checked Nov 8, 2026fedoraproject.org(opens source in a new tab)
    KDE edition
    Yes
    Checked Nov 8, 2026fedoraproject.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Atomic desktop
    Silverblue
    Checked Nov 8, 2026fedoraproject.org(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Zorin OS logo

    4. Zorin OS

    Best for: Windows or Mac users trying Linux for the first time, or reviving an older PC

    Free plan + paidOpen sourceLinux

    59.4

    score / 100

    Why switch from Pop!_OS

    Ubuntu-based too, with layouts that mimic Windows or macOS for people switching from those systems.

    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 ×0.369
    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 Zorin OS a good Pop!_OS alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free edition
    Core edition free
    Checked Nov 8, 2026zorin.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Paid edition
    Pro, one-time payment
    Checked Nov 8, 2026zorin.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Based on
    Ubuntu
    Checked Nov 8, 2026zorin.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Support period
    Zorin OS 18 until at least June 2029
    Checked Nov 8, 2026zorin.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Open source
    Yes
    Checked Nov 8, 2026zorin.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. CachyOS logo

    5. CachyOS

    Best for: Gamers and Arch fans who want a fast, preconfigured rolling-release desktop

    Open sourceLinux

    57.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Pop!_OS

    A rolling Arch-based distro tuned for performance, for gamers who want the newest packages.

    Pros

    • Packages compiled for modern CPU instruction sets out of the box
    • Choice of kernel schedulers and 17+ desktops at install time
    • Keeps full access to Arch repositories and the AUR
    • Dedicated Handheld Edition for Steam Deck-style devices

    Cons

    • Rolling release means frequent updates that can occasionally break things
    • x86-64 PCs only; no ARM builds
    • Small volunteer team compared with Fedora or Ubuntu
    Visit CachyOS 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 CachyOS a good Pop!_OS alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Based on
    Arch Linux
    Checked Nov 8, 2026cachyos.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Optimised packages
    x86-64-v3, v4 and Zen4 builds with LTO
    Checked Nov 8, 2026cachyos.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Desktop environments
    17+ to choose from
    Checked Nov 8, 2026cachyos.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Handheld support
    Steam Deck, ROG Ally, Legion Go
    Checked Nov 8, 2026cachyos.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Kernel license
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 30, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
  6. Kubuntu logo

    6. Kubuntu

    Best for: People who want Ubuntu's base and software with the KDE Plasma desktop instead of GNOME

    Open sourceLinux

    55.9

    score / 100

    Why switch from Pop!_OS

    Keeps the Ubuntu base but uses KDE Plasma, which is more mature and configurable than COSMIC.

    Pros

    • KDE Plasma desktop that is easy to customise
    • Same Ubuntu base, packages and hardware support
    • LTS releases supported for three years of updates
    • Free to download, use and modify

    Cons

    • Interim releases are supported for only nine months
    • Smaller team than Ubuntu itself, so some flavour-specific bugs linger
    • Inherits Ubuntu decisions such as Snap packages
    Visit Kubuntu Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.357
    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 Kubuntu a good Pop!_OS alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Based on
    Ubuntu with KDE Plasma
    Checked Nov 8, 2026kubuntu.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Launched
    October 2004
    Checked Nov 8, 2026kubuntu.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Release cycle
    Every 6 months, LTS every 2 years
    Checked Nov 8, 2026kubuntu.org(opens source in a new tab)
    LTS support
    26.04 LTS until April 2029
    Checked Nov 8, 2026kubuntu.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Price
    Free
    Checked Nov 8, 2026kubuntu.org(opens source in a new tab)

The best Pop!_OS alternative for…

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

Ubuntu logo

Best Pop!_OS alternative for most people

Ubuntu

The base Pop!_OS builds on, with GNOME, Canonical support and the largest pool of guides and certified hardware.

Linux Mint logo

Best Pop!_OS alternative for a free option

Linux Mint

Another Ubuntu-based desktop aimed at newcomers, with a traditional Cinnamon layout instead of tiling.

Zorin OS logo

Best Pop!_OS alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Zorin OS

Ubuntu-based too, with layouts that mimic Windows or macOS for people switching from those systems.

Fedora Linux logo

Best Pop!_OS alternative for open source

Fedora Linux

Ships newer kernels and desktop releases faster, with a stock GNOME or KDE experience.

CachyOS logo

Best Pop!_OS alternative for Linux

CachyOS

A rolling Arch-based distro tuned for performance, for gamers who want the newest packages.

Pop!_OS alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Pop!_OS?

Ubuntu ranks first right now. The base Pop!_OS builds on, with GNOME, Canonical support and the largest pool of guides and certified hardware. Linux Mint and Fedora Linux follow it in our ranking.

Pop!_OS vs Ubuntu: what's the difference?

Both Pop!_OS and Ubuntu are free and open source. Both run on Linux.

Is Pop!_OS free?

Pop!_OS is free and open source. Price: Free. Checked on Pop!_OS's own site, November 2026.

Is there a free alternative to Pop!_OS?

Yes. Ubuntu (open source), Linux Mint (open source), Fedora Linux (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 Pop!_OS?

Yes: Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Fedora Linux and Zorin OS, plus 2 more in the list above.

Which Pop!_OS alternatives work on Linux?

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

Why do people switch from Pop!_OS?

The complaints we hear most: secure Boot must be turned off before installing; COSMIC is newer than GNOME or KDE, so some settings and extensions are still missing; release cadence follows Ubuntu LTS, so packages can lag rolling distros.

How is this list ranked?

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