Ubuntu
The default starting point for most newcomers to Linux.
Debian review
The rock-solid foundation a huge chunk of Linux is built on.
GNOME (installer choice) Point (≈2-yearly stable) Moderate
At a glance
| Based on | Independent |
|---|---|
| Desktop environment | GNOME (installer choice) |
| Package manager | APT |
| Release model | Point (≈2-yearly stable) |
| Current version | 13.5 "Trixie" (2026-05-16) |
| Supported until | Full support to Aug 2028, LTS to 2030 |
| Comfortable minimum RAM | 2 GB |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Official site | https://www.debian.org |
Pros & cons
What's good
- Legendary stability — the benchmark for "set and forget" servers
- Strictly free by default with an enormous package archive
- Light footprint; runs happily on modest hardware
What to watch
- Stable ships older software versions by design
- Installer and first-time setup are less hand-holding than Mint/Ubuntu
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Who is Debian for?
Debian tends to suit people who want maximum stability, enterprise / server, developer workstation, revives old/low-spec pcs. With a difficulty rating of 3 out of 5, it's a reasonable step up once you've found your feet.
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