Ubuntu vs Arch

by Gralio Mar 07, 2025

Ubuntu and Arch Linux are both popular Linux distributions catering to different user groups. Ubuntu is ideal for beginners and those seeking a convenient, ready-to-use system. Arch Linux is best suited for experienced users who value customization and complete control over their system.

At Gralio.ai we help to simplify your decision-making process by offering detailed, side-by-side software comparisons like this one, to help you confidently choose the tool that aligns with your business goals.

This comparison was created by analysing 1522 reviews and 60 websites, saving 8 hours, 57 minutes of reading.

Ubuntu

Website LinkedIn Twitter

Arch

Website LinkedIn Twitter

About

Ubuntu is a free, open-source operating system known for its speed and user-friendliness. Popular with developers, Ubuntu offers a secure platform for both daily tasks and professional software development. It boasts a large collection of applications and is compatible with a wide range of hardware, from modern laptops to older computers. Ubuntu also integrates well with enterprise environments, especially with the added support of Ubuntu Pro.

Arch Linux is a free, open-source operating system primarily designed for experienced computer users. It emphasizes user customization and control, offering a highly flexible and minimal system. Unlike operating systems with pre-installed software, Arch Linux users build their system from scratch, choosing only the components they need. While not as user-friendly as other operating systems, Arch Linux offers greater flexibility and control for users comfortable managing their own system.

Summary

Main difference

Ubuntu prioritizes ease of use and comes with a user-friendly desktop environment and a wide range of pre-installed software. Arch Linux, conversely, focuses on customization and control, requiring users to build their system from the ground up, offering a more tailored but less beginner-friendly experience.

Relative strengths of Ubuntu (compared to Arch)

Easier installation and setup.
Pre-installed software and a user-friendly desktop environment.
Wider hardware compatibility and driver support out-of-the-box.

Relative weaknesses of Ubuntu (compared to Arch)

Less customizable than Arch.
Can include software that some users might consider bloatware.
Not as bleeding-edge as Arch in terms of software versions.

Who should use Ubuntu VS. Arch

Ubuntu, a free and open-source operating system, is praised for its ease of use, robust performance, and vast software library. Users appreciate its customizability and strong community support. However, some have noted occasional driver issues and slow Snap packages. Ideal for businesses of all sizes and various industries, especially education and IT.

Arch Linux is a highly customizable, minimalist OS ideal for experienced Linux users. Love its flexibility and control, but dislike the challenging installation and steep learning curve. Perfect for those who value a DIY approach and cutting-edge software.

Ideal for businesses of all sizes (1-1000+ employees).
Excellent fit for Education and Software/IT/Telecommunications.

Ideal for tech-savvy individuals and small teams seeking a highly customizable OS.
Best suited for the Software, IT & Telecommunications industry where customization and control are paramount.

Ubuntu and Arch features

Supported

Partially supported

Not supported

Type in the name of the feature or in your own words tell us what you need

Open-source desktop OS

Supported

Ubuntu is the leading open-source desktop OS, used by millions globally.

Not supported

Arch is open-source, but not the most popular desktop OS.
Essential daily apps

Supported

Ubuntu supports Firefox, Chrome, Discord, Steam, and OBS Studio.

Supported

Arch Linux supports these apps via its package manager and AUR after manual installation.
Lightweight and flexible

Supported

Ubuntu offers lightweight and customizable variants like Lubuntu and Xubuntu.

Supported

Arch Linux is lightweight and highly customizable to specific needs.
Rolling release model

Not supported

Ubuntu does not officially offer a rolling release model for its desktop version.

Supported

Arch Linux fully supports the rolling release model.
Driver availability

Supported

Ubuntu offers extensive driver support, including for NVIDIA graphics cards.

Supported

Arch Linux supports a wide range of device drivers through a modular kernel and community support.
System Configuration

Supported

Ubuntu offers various tools for configuring system settings, from graphical utilities to command-line interfaces.

Supported

Arch Linux offers various tools like aconfmgr and Arch Mate for system configuration.

Qualities

Value and Pricing Transparency

+0.87

Strongly positive sentiment

No data
Customer Service

-0.33

Rather negative sentiment

No data
Ease of Use

+0.59

Rather positive sentiment

No data
Reliability and Performance

+0.94

Strongly positive sentiment

+0.33

Rather positive sentiment
Ease of Implementation

+0.13

Neutral sentiment

No data
Scalability

No data

No data

Ubuntu and Arch Pricing

No data

User sentiment

Strongly positive

+0.87

See full Pricing page

No data

We couldn't find a pricing page for Arch.

Ubuntu and Arch review insights

1517 reviews analysed from

Users love

Easy to use and setup.
Robust and stable.
Large software library.
Strong community support.
Customizable and flexible.

Highly customizable and allows for a personalized system
Minimalist approach with no bloatware
Excellent package management with Pacman and AUR
Access to cutting-edge software and latest updates
Active and helpful community support (despite some reports of unfriendliness)

Users dislike

Limited hardware compatibility.
Default desktop environment can be improved.
Snap packages can be slow.
Default data collection practices.
Occasional driver issues.

Difficult installation process for beginners
Potential system instability due to rolling releases and AUR packages
Steep learning curve and requires advanced Linux knowledge
Occasional driver issues, especially with graphics cards
Limited official support and reliance on community forums

Ubuntu and Arch Ratings

G2

4.5/5

(1484)
Glassdoor

3.1/5

(373)

G2

4.4/5

(33)
TrustPilot

4.2/5

(5)

Company health

Employee growth

19% increase in the last year

No change in the last year

Web traffic

4% increase in the last quarter

10% decrease in the last quarter

Financing

May 2013 - $13M

No data

How does each OS's update philosophy impact long-term system stability?

Ubuntu's Long Term Support (LTS) releases offer stability with guaranteed updates for five years, ensuring a consistent and secure platform for an extended period. This reduces the frequency of major upgrades and minimizes potential disruptions. Arch Linux, with its rolling release model, provides continuous updates. While this gives access to the latest software and features, it can introduce instability if updates are not thoroughly tested or conflict with existing configurations. Users must be more proactive in managing updates and troubleshooting potential issues, impacting long-term stability if not diligently maintained.

Which product better supports less experienced Linux users?

Ubuntu is better suited for less experienced Linux users. While both are open-source, Ubuntu is explicitly described as user-friendly, unlike Arch Linux, which targets experienced users. Arch Linux requires users to build their system from scratch, a daunting task for beginners. Ubuntu offers a more traditional operating system experience with pre-installed software and a user-friendly interface. Furthermore, Ubuntu boasts a larger community and more readily available support resources, making it easier for new users to find assistance.

What are the advantages of Ubuntu?

Ubuntu's advantages include its user-friendliness, making it accessible to a broader audience compared to Arch Linux's focus on experienced users. It offers a wider range of pre-installed applications for daily tasks and boasts broader hardware compatibility. Ubuntu also benefits from a larger community and commercial support from Canonical, providing more resources and assistance for users.

What are the disadvantages of Ubuntu?

Users have reported several disadvantages of Ubuntu, including limited hardware compatibility compared to other operating systems, a default desktop environment that some find could be improved, and Snap packages that can be slow. Additionally, some users dislike Ubuntu's default data collection practices, and occasional driver issues can arise.

Alternatives to Ubuntu and Arch

Fedora

Fedora is a free, Linux-based operating system that offers a secure and customizable experience for a variety of uses. It provides different editions tailored for desktops, servers, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things. Known for its innovative features and regular updates, Fedora is driven by a large community of developers.

Debian

Debian is a free and open-source operating system known for its stability and security. It's like the foundation of a house, providing the core software to run your computer system. Debian offers a wide range of applications and software, making it suitable for various purposes. It stands out for its large, active community of developers who ensure its reliability and provide support.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux

Red Hat Enterprise Linux is a stable operating system used by businesses of all sizes. It's known for its flexibility and security, especially important for companies moving operations online. Red Hat offers support, helping your business use this system whether your data is stored locally, or accessed through the cloud.

Ubuntu Desktop

Ubuntu Desktop is a free and open-source operating system for personal computers. It offers a user-friendly interface, a wide range of pre-installed applications for everyday tasks, and a strong emphasis on security and privacy. Known for its stability and compatibility, Ubuntu Desktop is suitable for both personal and professional use. It is supported by a large and active community that provides help and resources. Ubuntu Desktop can be installed on a wide range of hardware, from older PCs to modern laptops.

Slackware

Slackware is a Linux operating system known for its focus on simplicity and staying true to traditional Unix principles. It prioritizes stability and giving experienced users flexibility and control over their system. Slackware includes popular software but expects users to be comfortable with system administration tasks.

Ubuntu Server

Ubuntu Server is a free, open-source operating system designed for running servers and other infrastructure. Known for its reliability and security, it's frequently used for web servers, databases, and cloud computing. Ubuntu Server offers regular updates, a large support community, and compatibility with various hardware and software. Its predictable release schedule and long-term support options make it a popular choice for businesses of all sizes.

Page co-authored by

Michal Kaczor

CEO at Gralio

Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.

Tymon Terlikiewicz

CTO at Gralio

Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.

How are we doing?

Is this information helpful to you? Is there anything we are missing?

Did this help you select your product?

Other issues? Vote & Let us know