Linux Distributions Compared
Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Linux Mint, Debian, Fedora, Arch Linux and openSUSE compared, to make choosing your first distribution easier.
Last updated: September 23, 2026
What is a distribution anyway?
Linux itself is just the core of an operating system, called the kernel. A distribution wraps a ready made selection of software, a package manager and usually a graphical interface around it, to create a complete, usable system.
| Ubuntu | Kubuntu | Linux Mint | Debian | Fedora | Arch Linux | openSUSE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good for | Beginners in general | Beginners who like KDE | Windows switchers | Users who want maximum stability | Users who like having current software | Advanced users who want full control | Users who want a stable rolling alternative |
| Based on | Debian | Ubuntu, so also Debian | Ubuntu, so also Debian | Independent, many others are built on top of it | Independent, sponsored by Red Hat | Independent | Independent, sponsored by SUSE |
| Update cycle | New version every 6 months, LTS version every 2 years | Same as Ubuntu | Its own cycle, usually built on Ubuntu LTS | Very rare, but especially thoroughly tested | New version every 6 months | Rolling release, always on the latest version | Leap: fixed version. Tumbleweed: rolling release |
| Package manager | apt | apt | apt | apt | dnf | pacman | zypper |
| Default desktop | GNOME | KDE Plasma | Cinnamon | Selectable, no fixed default | GNOME | None preinstalled, set up yourself | KDE Plasma |
| Difficulty | Easy | Easy | Very easy | Medium | Medium | High | Medium |
No ads, no paid recommendation. For a very first start I recommend Linux Mint or Ubuntu, because of the large community and easy handling. Anyone who wants to learn more about the system itself later gets full control with Arch Linux, but also has to set up a lot more themselves.
Rolling release vs. fixed version
Arguably the biggest difference between distributions isn't the look, but how updates work.
Fixed version
Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Linux Mint, Debian and Fedora come out in clearly defined versions. Between versions there are mainly security updates, no major changes, which keeps things stable.
Rolling release
Arch Linux and openSUSE Tumbleweed constantly get new software versions, with no big version number. Always current, but also somewhat more prone to issues from new updates.