Home Desktop 10 Best Linux Desktop Distributions To Use in 2023

10 Best Linux Desktop Distributions To Use in 2023

March 15, 2023

OS, short for Operating system, is software that basically tells a computer what to do. It manages the resources of a computer, including CPU, memory, and storage. Computers have their own language, and for a user to communicate with one, you would use the OS that provides an interface and manages tasks like memory allocation, and input and output operations.

Linux is an open-source operating system that was created in 1991 by Linus Torvalds, then a student at the University of Helsinki. Linux is secure, stable, and flexible and allows you to receive support from a large community of users. One of the reasons for its popularity growth is the number of distributions based on Linux. Linux distributions or commonly known as “Linux distros,” are operating systems compiled from components developed by various open-source projects and programmers. The components include a Bootloader, Linux kernel, GNU shell, Daemons, X-server, Desktop environment, Applications, and a package management system.

Linux differs from other popular operating systems like Windows and macOS as it is an open-source OS released under the GNU General Public License (GPL). This means that its source code is free and available for modification and distribution without limits. Due to its stability and security, it is mainly used in servers, supercomputers, mobile devices, embedded systems, and also in personal computers. Linux has evolved over time to be one of the most reliable platforms to use with zero cost, and it is pretty easy to install.

There are a variety of Linux distributions that differ in terms of complexity, stability, security, and reliability. Some distributions are good for Linux beginners that do not have any prior experience. They probably have the same interface as Windows, and you just have to learn more about the commands and work around the terminal to create and access files and folders other than using the interface. Some Linux distributions are for more advanced users who have had quite an experience in the Linux world and are okay with new techniques, as Linux is an evolving OS.

Other distributions used as servers or supercomputers are also available, and they include not have graphical desktop environments and can only be accessed through the terminal. Using a server will not be a big issue if you are okay with the terminal command. So using a type of Linux distro depends on a user’s preferences, which is why there are different available with different usage. Some contain a user-friendly interface that is not difficult to capture and use.

In this guide, we will look at the 10 best Linux Desktop Distributions to use in 2023 in terms of popularity and ranking.

1. Ubuntu 22.04 LTS

Ubuntu is pretty popular among Linux newbies. I mean, most people not really aware of Linux actually refer to Linux as Ubuntu. The name is an ancient African word that means ‘humanity to others’, which allows users to customize and alter their software in whatever way they see fit. It is an open-source distribution that provides better security, more package, and newer tools from cloud to edge. Most developers prefer Ubuntu because it supports the fastest, biggest, and most successful digital operations. Ubuntu releases are based on rolling-release updates. The releases are on a Long-term Support that comes with five years of standard support to provide bug fixes and security patches to more than 2,300 packages.

Ubuntu Features include;

Operate smoothly across the public and private cloud.
Full support for Robot Operating Systems (ROS and ROS2).
Simple, intuitive interface that is fast, secure, and with thousands of apps to choose from.
Ubuntu comes with Thunderbird, Mozilla’s popular email application.
Ubuntu comes with applications to edit, illustrate and organize your photos.
Has Firefox as its default browser for speed and security.
Comes with LibreOffice which is an open-source office suite that’s compatible with Microsoft Office.

System Requirements

A laptop or PC with at least 25GB of storage space.
2 GHz dual-core processor.
4 GiB RAM (system memory).
VGA capable of 1024×768 screen resolution.
A flash drive (8GB as a minimum, 12GB or above recommended) for the installer media.

Download Ubuntu

2. MX Linux 21.x

MX Linux is a mid-weight operating system designed to combine elegant and efficient desktops with high stability and solid performance aiming to be a fast, low-resource, and user-friendly OS. It is based on Debian’s stable branch with an interface that allows you to perform a wide variety of tasks. It comes with Xfce as the default desktop environment with KDE Plasma and Fluxbox editions available. It supports large hardware that ranges from older laptops to modern desktops. MX Linux comes with key default applications once installed that are continually upgraded as time goes on. They include Browser, Video Player, Music Manager/Player, Email client, and Office suite. MX Linux has a friendly forum where you can ask for help and support and also report bugs, issues, and non-package Requests

MX Linux features:

It supports 32-bit and 64-bit architectures with Physical Address Extension (PAE) enabled.
It enables most Broadcom drivers automatically.
Support for Realtek wifi devices.
Comes with a UEFI installer for both 64bit & 32bit.
Easy and flexible installation with excellent hardware recognition.
Available partition options include LUKS encrypted root, home, and swap.

MX Linux 21.3 include the following improved features

New mx-rofi-manager tool for Fluxbox.
A full “ahs” KDE release.
All releases now ship with the menulibre menu editor.
updated antiX live/remaster system
Apps have received translation updates.

Recommended System requirements

A modern i686 Intel or AMD processor
2 GB of RAM memory or more
At least 20 GB of free hard drive space
A 3D-capable video card for 3D desktop support
A SoundBlaster, AC97, or HDA-compatible sound card
For use as a LiveUSB, 8 GB free for persistence usage

Download MX Linux

3. EndeavourOS Cassini

EndeavourOS rolling released distribution that is based on Arch Linux. It is a terminal-centric Linux distro with a vibrant and friendly community at its core to guide you through your journey. It is very easy to install with a combined online and offline installer available. It comes with at least eight popular desktop environments including Xfce, KDE Plasma, GNOME, Mate, Cinnamon, Budgie, LxQt, and LxDe. It also supports community desktop environment editions put together by their own community including, Sway, Qtile, BSPWM, Openbox, and Worm (Endeavour Exclusive). It comes with some modest yet powerful selections of terminal-operated applications that allow you to deep dive into the system. They include Pacman, Firefox, FirewallD, Yay, Nvidia Installer, and more.

EndeavourOS Features:

Supports Pinebook Pro and ships with default packages including linux-eos-arm.
Improved headless server script.
Calameres, a default installer in the live environment to give you a smooth experience.
Supported on x86-64 and ARM-based systems.
Dracut, a highly modular tool for generating initramfs images.
Supports various choices of bootloaders as well as the ability to not install a bootloader.

You can install Endeavour offline or online. The offline method installs EndeavourOS with Xfce as the default desktop environment while online allows you to choose a different desktop environment to install with vanilla theming.

Recommended System Requirements:

2GB RAM
20 GB Hard disk space

Download EndeavourOS

4. Linux Mint 21

Linux Mint OS is a free and open-source Linux distribution based on Ubuntu LTS and Debian OS. It is appropriate for both desktops and laptops as it is designed to work ‘out of the box’ and comes equipped with the basic applications most people need. Where you are dealing with graphic design, probably want a media player, an office suite, Gaming, you just name it, Linux mint has it. It is very easy to use, fast, and a comfortable OS with user experience, workflow, and comfort as key. It contains default configurations that can be tweaked to finely fit your preferences. It can be installed on almost any computer and can also be run on a live USB stick to make sure everything works fine without having to install anything.

Linux mint features:

Based on Debian and Ubuntu.
Full multimedia support.
Community-driven with users sharing ideas and sending feedback.
Robus Linux architecture.
Requires little to no maintenance.
Free and open-source.

Linux Mint is available in 3 different flavors:

Cinnamon – modern and classy look with vibrant colors. It includes many features to customize your system to fit your preferences.
Mate – it is a continuation of GNOME 2 that is faster, uses fewer resources, and is more stable.
Xfce – lightweight desktop environment that is extremely stable and rung light on resources.

Recommended System Requirements

4 GB of RAM
20 GB of hard drive space
1440 x 900 resolution or higher

Choose the one that fits your cup and click below to download.

Download Linux Mint

5. Manjaro Linux 22

Manjaro is a user-friendly, desktop-focused distribution based on Arch Linux that is designed to prioritize reliability, usability, and accessibility. In addition to being welcoming to Linux beginners, it includes a variety of features that advanced Linux users can customize to fit their unique preferences. Manjaro aspires to be user-friendly and appealing while still offering all the advantages of Arch Linux, such as the rolling release system model, quick and dependable distribution, accessibility to the Arch User Repository (AUR), and efficiency. It includes a CLI installer that is offered side by side with a graphic installer to customize your system as you like by selecting your preferred desktop environment, greeters, applications, hardware, and more. If you are looking for an OS that has privacy in mind while being fast in what it does, then look no further than Manjaro.

Manjaro Features:

Plug & Play Hardware
Rolling Release system model.
Wide Range Of Software available.
Secured By Default.
Lightning Fast
Easily to install.

Minimum System Requirements

2GB USB flash depending on the image you will download.
2GB RAM Intel Atom with 30GB disk.

Download Manjaro

6. Pop!_OS 22.04 LTS

Pop!_OS is a Linux distribution that is based on Ubuntu LTS featuring a custom GNOME desktop developed by Linux computer retailer System76. It is designed for STEM and creative professionals who use their computers as a tool to discover and create. It is a fast, secure, and reliable OS that aims at having minimal clutter of work on the desktop to help the user to work. It includes fast navigation, easy workspace organization, and a fluid convenient workflow. On large displays, you can use the auto-tiling feature that organizes your work automatically and is less time-consuming. The unique thing with Pop_OS is that it encrypts your installation by default to enable pre-installed full-disk encryption out of the box. Once done with installation it generates a unique private encryption key during setup.

Pop!_OS Features:

Provides workspaces to keep related content altogether.
Keyboard navigation to move and resize windows.
Allows stacking application windows.
Offers a vast array of libraries and tools to develop software.
Uses APT and Flatpak package management to install, manage, and uninstall packages.
Optimal performance and user experience.
Rolling release update features.
Private – does not store any user data during installation
Do Not Disturb to get rid of notifications that you do not want.