Ubuntu vs Linux Mint

by Gralio Feb 27, 2025

Ubuntu and Linux Mint are both popular Linux distributions catering to different needs. Ubuntu offers a robust platform for developers and a wider range of hardware support, while Linux Mint focuses on ease of use and a familiar desktop experience. Both are free, open-source, and suitable for personal and professional use.

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 1699 reviews and 48 websites, saving 9 hours, 50 minutes of reading.

Ubuntu

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Linux Mint

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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.

Linux Mint is a free, full-featured operating system for desktops and laptops. It's designed for ease of use, resembling familiar operating systems, and comes with pre-installed productivity, multimedia, and internet applications. Linux Mint prioritizes user experience and a stable, reliable system with long-term support releases. It boasts a large and active community offering support and resources.

Summary

Main difference

Ubuntu is known for its broader hardware compatibility and strong focus on developers with features like snap packages, while Linux Mint prioritizes user-friendliness and a Windows-like experience, making it easier for beginners to transition.

Relative strengths of Ubuntu (compared to Linux Mint)

Stronger developer tools and snap package support.
Wider hardware compatibility and driver availability.
Enterprise-grade support available through Ubuntu Pro.

Relative weaknesses of Ubuntu (compared to Linux Mint)

Less user-friendly for beginners transitioning from Windows.
Snap packages can be slower than traditional packages.
Default desktop environment may not be as polished as Linux Mint's Cinnamon.

Who should use Ubuntu VS. Linux Mint

Ubuntu, a user-friendly and secure open-source OS, is ideal for individuals, developers, and organizations. Praised for its robust software library and active community support, some users mention occasional driver issues and slow snap packages. Best fit for small to large businesses in Education or IT.

Linux Mint is a free and user-friendly operating system perfect for individuals and businesses, especially those transitioning from Windows. Users praise its intuitive interface, customizability, and speed, while some note occasional instability after updates. Best for small to large businesses in education and IT.

Ideal for businesses of all sizes.
Strong fit for Education and IT.

Ideal for small to large businesses.
Best fit for Education and IT.

Ubuntu and Linux Mint features

Supported

Partially supported

Not supported

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Ready to use software

Supported

Ubuntu is ready to use after installation, with pre-installed apps and easy access to more software.

Supported

Linux Mint comes with pre-installed software ready to use.
Open-source desktop OS

Supported

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

Supported

Linux Mint is a popular open-source desktop operating system used globally.
Essential daily apps

Supported

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

Supported

Linux Mint supports Firefox and allows installing Chrome, Discord, Steam, and OBS Studio.
Driver availability

Supported

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

Supported

Linux Mint supports drivers via the Driver Manager tool.
Processor compatibility

Supported

Ubuntu supports a variety of processors, including x86 and ARM architectures.

Supported

Linux Mint supports a wide range of processors, especially 64-bit architectures.
System Configuration

Supported

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

Supported

Linux Mint offers comprehensive system configuration tools.

Qualities

Value and Pricing Transparency

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Customer Service

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Ease of Use

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Reliability and Performance

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Ease of Implementation

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Scalability

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Ubuntu and Linux Mint Pricing

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See full Pricing page

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We couldn't find a pricing page for Linux Mint.

Ubuntu and Linux Mint review insights

Users love

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

User-friendly interface, especially for those transitioning from Windows.
Highly customizable desktop environment.
Lightweight and fast, suitable for older hardware.
Robust and stable system with regular updates.
Open-source and free, with a large software repository.

Users dislike

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

Some updates can lead to system instability.
Limited driver support for certain hardware, especially older devices.
Software compatibility issues with some Windows applications.
Occasional freezing issues and kernel errors reported.

Ubuntu and Linux Mint Ratings

G2

4.5/5

(1484)
Glassdoor

3.1/5

(373)

G2

4.5/5

(161)
Capterra

4.7/5

(47)
TrustPilot

3.7/5

(14)

Company health

Employee growth

19% increase in the last year

No change in the last year

Web traffic

11% decrease in the last quarter

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Financing

May 2013 - $13M

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How does Ubuntu's enterprise support compare with Linux Mint's community support?

Ubuntu offers paid enterprise support through Ubuntu Pro, providing businesses with security patching, kernel live patching, and other critical services. This contrasts with Linux Mint, which relies solely on community support forums, user documentation, and online resources. While Linux Mint's community is active and helpful, it lacks the direct vendor support and guaranteed response times that Ubuntu Pro offers for enterprise clients needing critical assistance.

Which OS offers better out-of-the-box software for a Windows user transitioning to Linux?

Linux Mint offers a more familiar out-of-the-box experience for Windows users due to its pre-installed software for productivity, multimedia, and internet browsing, along with a user interface designed for ease of transition. While Ubuntu also provides essential applications, Linux Mint's focus on pre-configured tools makes it more immediately usable for a typical Windows user.

What are the advantages of Ubuntu?

Ubuntu benefits from a larger community and faster growth, suggesting more active development and better future support. It also boasts stronger enterprise integration, particularly with Ubuntu Pro, making it more suitable for professional and business use.

What are the disadvantages of Ubuntu?

Ubuntu users have reported limited hardware compatibility, particularly with older or less common devices, and occasional driver issues. The default desktop environment, while functional, is considered by some to be less polished than alternatives. Furthermore, the Snap package management system, while designed for security and ease of updates, can sometimes be slow and consume more resources than traditional package managers. Finally, Ubuntu's default data collection practices, though configurable, have raised privacy concerns for some users.

Alternatives to Ubuntu and Linux Mint

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.

Arch

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.

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.

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.

Android

Android is a versatile operating system powering billions of phones, tablets, TVs, and even cars. Developed by Google, Android focuses on making technology simple and helpful for everyone. It stands out with its customizable features, wide device compatibility, and a vast app ecosystem. Android promises a user-friendly experience across various devices, making your digital life smoother.

Amazon Linux 2

Amazon Linux 2 is a server operating system designed by Amazon Web Services (AWS) for businesses running applications in the cloud. It's reliable, secure, and frequently updated with the latest software. Amazon Linux 2 provides a user-friendly interface and can be easily deployed on various cloud platforms, making it a stable and efficient choice for businesses hosting applications on AWS.

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.

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