Linux keeps on releasing new distros from time to time. The main reason people prefer Ubuntu is that it is free and easily available to download. However, there are several free, open-source Ubuntu alternatives available in the market.
This write-up will discuss about five Ubuntu alternatives for 2021.
What are the 5 Ubuntu Alternatives for 2021?
The list of the 5 Ubuntu alternatives to try is below:
Alternative 1: Linux Mint OS
Linux Mint is a Debian-based Linux operating system distro. It was first released on August 27, 2006. It comes with a lot of productivity-driven features with the goal of providing a classical desktop environment to its users. It is supported for both “x86” and “x64” architecture. It released its latest version, “Linux Mint 21.1 vera” on December 20, 2022, for all three desktop editions, which are “Cinnamon”, “Xfce”, and “MATE”. Linux Mint is also known for its classical desktop interface. Linux Mint’s default desktop environment is Cinnamon.
Alternative 2: Fedora OS
Fedora is another RedHat-Base open-source Linux operating system distro. It was initially released on November 6, 2003. Fedora releases a new version after every six months. Its users can upgrade their old version to a new one without the reinstallation process. Like other Linux distro’s, it is also available on “x86” and “x64” platforms.
There are three desktop environments available for Fedora, including “GNOME”, “Shell”, and “Bash”, where “GNOME” is the default desktop environment for “Fedora OS”. Fedora has the following package managers “dnf”, “rpm” and “flatpak”. It is released for servers, supercomputers, and desktop computers. Its security mechanism of “SELinux”.
Alternative 3: Arch OS
Arch OS is an open-source Debian-based Linux distro that is developed using Python and C language. It was first released on March 11, 2002, by Levente Polyak. Arch Linux is supported on both “x86” and “x64” architecture platforms. There are six desktop environments available for Arch Linux, which include “GNOME”, “Cinnamon”, “Enlightenment”, “Xfce”, “KDE”, “LXDE”, and “MATE”. Arch OS Linux has two package managers, which are “Pacman” and the “libalpm”. It is designed for both “Computers” and “Servers”. Arch Linux follows the rolling-release model to provide fast and stable releases of the user software.
Alternative 4: Ubuntu MATE OS
Ubuntu MATE is an open-source Linux distro designed for users who want a classical desktop environment. It is a Debian and Ubuntu-based Linux distribution, which was first officially released on October 23, 2014, by the Ubuntu MATE team.
Ubuntu MATE released its latest version, “22.10 Kinetic Kudu” on October 20, 2022. It has only one desktop environment, which is “MATE”, and is the default one. It is supported on “x86” and “x64” supported systems. Ubuntu MATE OS supports only the “dpkg” package manager. It is compatible for both old and new computers. It has support for four types of computers, including “Raspberry Pi”, “Live Medium”, “Beginners”, and “Desktop”.
Alternative 5: Deepin OS
Deepin OS (Previously known as the “Linux Deepin” and the “Hiweed Linux”) is another Debian-based Linux distro. It was first released on February 28, 2004, by the “Deepin technology co.”. It will release its latest version on November 9, 2022. It has only one default desktop environment, which is DDE(Deepin Desktop Environment). It has support for “x86” and “x64” architecture and is only designed for desktop users. Deepin OS has two package managers, which are “APT” and “dpkg”
Conclusion
Ubuntu is an open-source and free Linux distro that is based on the Debian operating system. There are various Ubuntu alternatives, which include “Linux Mint OS”, “Fedora OS”, “Arch OS”, “Ubuntu MATE OS”, and “Deepin OS”. This write-up has covered the 5 most relevant Ubuntu alternatives.
