Ubuntu
Canonical's popular Linux distribution for desktops, laptops and servers.
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About Ubuntu
Ubuntu is the most widely used Linux distribution on desktops and cloud servers, made by Canonical. The desktop edition uses a lightly customised GNOME, installs with a graphical installer, and includes Firefox, LibreOffice and an app centre that favours Canonical's Snap packages alongside the traditional Debian-style APT archive. New versions come out every April and October; every second April brings a long-term support (LTS) release with five years of standard security updates, which is what most people should run. A free Ubuntu Pro subscription for personal use on a handful of machines extends security coverage much further, and businesses can buy it with support. Because it's so popular, most Linux software, drivers and guides target Ubuntu first, and other distributions such as Linux Mint and Pop!_OS are built on it. Some users dislike the push toward Snaps and Canonical's changes to stock GNOME.
Best for: People moving to Linux who want the widest software support and long-term security updates.
Pros and cons
What works
- 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
Why people leave
- 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
Top Ubuntu alternatives
See all 6- 1
Linux Mint66.5Built on Ubuntu LTS but with a Windows-like desktop, codecs out of the box and no Snap push.
- 2
Fedora Linux62.6Newer software and stock GNOME or KDE, with Red Hat backing and no Snaps.
- 3
Debian59.6The community distribution Ubuntu is built on, with slower, very stable releases and no corporate agenda.
- 4
macOS40.0Polished desktop with commercial app support, if you are happy to buy Apple hardware.
- 5
Windows40.0Widest software and game compatibility, at the cost of a licence and Microsoft account.
Why people left Ubuntu
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
No switching stories yet. If you moved away from Ubuntu, review the app you switched to and tell us why.
Reviews
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Ubuntu: common questions
Is Ubuntu free?
Yes. Ubuntu is free, open-source software.
Is Ubuntu open source?
Yes.
What platforms does Ubuntu run on?
Ubuntu is available for Linux.
What are the best alternatives to Ubuntu?
The highest-ranked Ubuntu alternatives right now are Linux Mint, Fedora Linux and Debian. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.