Debian
Long-running, community-run Linux distribution known for stability and a huge package archive.
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- Alternatives ranked
- 3
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About Debian
Debian is one of the oldest Linux distributions, run since 1993 by a volunteer community under a written social contract rather than by a company. It is known for stability: a new stable release comes out roughly every two years after a long testing period, and each gets several years of security support, extended further by a volunteer long-term support team. Its archive holds tens of thousands of packages installed with APT, and its packaging system and repositories are the foundation for Ubuntu, Linux Mint and many other distributions. The installer lets you choose GNOME, KDE Plasma, Xfce or several other desktops, or no desktop at all for servers. Debian is completely free and leans firmly toward free software, though it now includes non-free firmware where hardware needs it. The cost of that stability is older software versions on the desktop, and installation is less guided than on Ubuntu or Mint.
Best for: People who value a stable, community-governed system for servers or long-lived desktops.
Pros and cons
What works
- Very stable, well-tested releases
- Huge package archive and no corporate agenda
- Choice of desktops, or a minimal server install
- Free and community-governed
Why people leave
- Stable releases ship older apps and kernels
- Less hand-holding during install than Ubuntu or Mint
- Major releases come only about every two years
Top Debian alternatives
See all 3- 1
Ubuntu66.5Built on Debian with newer software, a guided installer and commercial support available.
- 2
Linux Mint62.6Friendlier desktop experience for newcomers, built on the same Debian and Ubuntu foundations.
- 3
Fedora Linux59.6Much newer software and kernels, at the cost of upgrading about once a year.
Why people left Debian
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
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Debian: common questions
Is Debian free?
Yes. Debian is free, open-source software.
Is Debian open source?
Yes.
What platforms does Debian run on?
Debian is available for Linux.
What are the best alternatives to Debian?
The highest-ranked Debian alternatives right now are Ubuntu, Linux Mint and Fedora Linux. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.