
System76 is also an OEM and makes laptop, desktop and server systems, all of which run the distro by default. Future iterations are set to ship with an entirely new window manager, developed in-house by System76. Its slick Cosmic desktop is based on GNOME 2, and vaguely reminiscent of macOS’s GUI layout. Pop!_OS has a particularly pleasant graphical installation interface, designed to be quick and approachable.

Its target audience is developers, digital artists, and STEM professionals. It’s based on Ubuntu, but strips out some of the more controversial elements, such Ubuntu’s default Snap package system, while adding useful features such as out-of-the-box support for Vulkan graphics. System 76’s Pop!_OS is one of the most comfortable choices for desktop Linux users who just want to get on with things. An Ubuntu-based distro is currently your best bet if you want things to just work with a minimum of faff, but our favourites also include distros like Arch and Slackware, which actively encourage you to cultivate a deeper understanding of the OS underlying your desktop. Best desktop distrosĪlthough desktop Linux is a comparatively niche use case compared to the operating system’s ubiquitous server presence, it’s also the most fun and rewarding.


Because they benefit from full-time corporate support and upkeep, these distros are often updated more frequently than at least some of their community rivals and may be better options for businesses who prioritise stability.
#Linux versions software
One last point to note is that while all Linux distros rely to some extent on voluntary contributions from a community of developers for their continued development and stability, some distros are backed by large commercial software development organisations, with Canonical (which develops Ubuntu) and Red Hat being key examples.
