this post was submitted on 09 Jul 2025
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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I made the unfortunate post about asking why people liked Arch so much (RIP my inbox I'm learning a lot from the comments) But, what is the best distro for each reason?

RIP my inbox again. I appreciate this knowledge a lot. Thank you everyone for responding. You all make this such a great community.

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[–] BagOfHeavyStones@piefed.social 11 points 1 week ago

Debian.

With x11 gnome it can run the Rustdesk client and pass all the keys properly to the Windows host. And it doesn't boot to a black screen like many other distros on my Asus laptop.

Was on Fedora with similar results but it started taking ages to boot looking for a non existent tpm chip.

[–] Tenderizer78@lemmy.ml 10 points 1 week ago (3 children)

OpenSUSE because rolling release and no IBM. Never used it though.

Currently I use Mint. It works but it's not the best.

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[–] jjba23@lemmy.ml 10 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (3 children)

With Guix you have reproducibility, freedom, good docs and peace of mind, also when configuring things more deeply. You also have a powerful programming language (Scheme / Lisp) with which to define your system config as well as your dotfiles. This is my insight after years of GNU/Linux usage. I run Guix on laptops, desktops and servers, and I never have configuration drift, as well as the benefit that I have a self documenting system.

https://codeberg.org/jjba23/sss

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[–] asudox@lemmy.asudox.dev 9 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Arch. I tried other distros and always came back to Arch. Other distros are very bloated and honestly I can't be bothered with removing them manually. I also love the AUR and the wiki.

Another interesting distro was NixOS, but that is a bit of a pain in the ass to learn.

For newbies, Fedora KDE Plasma edition or Mint Cinnamon is my recommendation. Kinoite is Fedora KDE Plasma edition but immutable for the ones that keep breaking the system because they keep following some absurd guide online for whatever.

[–] fin@sh.itjust.works 9 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I use debian cause it just works.

I was a Nix user (more specifically, nix-darwin user) but after being away from the computer for like one year (to study for the university entrance exam), I completely forgot how to use it and resulted in erasing the computer. Nix/NixOS is fun, but it was too complicated for me.

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[–] HouseWolf@pawb.social 9 points 1 week ago (1 children)

EndeavourOS is the best because.

It's currently on my system and said system hasn't burst into flames yet, so I'm too lazy to change it.

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[–] besmtt@lemmy.world 8 points 1 week ago

Bazzite.

Super easy install and setup. Ready to start installing games at first boot. Just a wonderful OS to use.

[–] Allero@lemmy.today 8 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

OpenSUSE Tumbleweed/Slowroll

Tumbleweed is the only bleeding-edge rolling release distribution that just works and never fails and is super easy to install and manage without any expertise. And it is massively underrated and forgotten for no good reason.

All Tumbleweed packages go through extensive and to this day unrivaled automatic system testing that ensures no package is ever gonna bork itself or your system.

If you're still worried about stability, there is Slowroll - currently testing, but in my experience very stable distribution. It makes rolling release updates...a bit slower, so that they're only pushed after Tumbleweed users absolutely ensure everything is great and stable (not that it's ever otherwise). It does the same job as Manjaro, but this time around it actually works without a hitch.

Both deliver great experience and will suit novice users.

[–] LovableSidekick@lemmy.world 8 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

IDGAF if it's the best (mint), it was easy to install, easy to transition to from Windows, and in 6 months hasn't given me any trouble. I just wanna use my computer.

[–] CrabAndBroom@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 week ago

Yeah I was gonna say, I dunno if my distro is the best (Arch BTW) but it's the best for me. Doesn't give me any nonsense and lets me tinker as much as I want. Other people just want their OS to get out of their way, which of course is equally valid. Whatever works for you!

[–] sunoc@sh.itjust.works 7 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Aeon desktop is the best indeed:

  • Crazy fast install.
  • System configuration is done on the first boot.
  • Supports ignition and combustion.
  • The install USB can become a $HOME backup if you re-install.
  • Full disk encryption by default and mandatory.
  • Latest GNOME, looks clean and pretty.
  • Rolling.
  • Immutable, with Distrobox by default.

As far as desktop Linux goes, I don't see why I would use anything else atm. Give it a try!

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[–] reallyzen@lemmy.ml 7 points 1 week ago

My Debian is the best for my work laptop
My Arch is the best for my private laptop
My Asahi is the best so that I don't have to deal with f*cling macos crap

[–] Underwaterbob@sh.itjust.works 7 points 1 week ago

Mint Cinnamon. All my hardware works, and it can do the few things I require my work PC to do. It even remembers things like my default audio device - something Ubuntu refused to do for years.

Nix, it just works, built in rollback sane defaults, super customization. Super easy to package for

[–] jaykrown@lemmy.world 6 points 1 week ago

Linux Mint because it's extremely simple and has caused me no issues for over a year. It's the best distribution to get someone who is afraid to switch from Windows or MacOS to understand that using Linux can be just as easy.

[–] Auster@thebrainbin.org 5 points 1 week ago

Imo, the best one is the one that fits the user's needs the best. Though it sounds like a non-answer, distros are usually tailored for specific needs, so not necessarily the features or lack thereof from one distro disregard another.

[–] ter_maxima@jlai.lu 5 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

NixOS.

  • I have access to more packages than with any other package manager.
  • everything to get my setup in the exact state I want is in my config, which is 90% useable on any other distro thanks to home manager
  • My config is all in one place and easy to share
  • If I ever break something, I can always roll back
  • I don't need Docker
[–] danhab99@programming.dev 5 points 1 week ago

NixOS makes me feel so safe making low-level changes to Linux and making sure that my work laptop, gaming desktop, and personal laptop all have the exact same shit on them and I'm gonna use them the exact same way.

I wish that nixlang was decoupled from the concept of a build system bc it's such a great DAG config DSL and I can think of so many cooler uses for it but I just don't have time to focus on it.

[–] KarnaSubarna@lemmy.ml 5 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (2 children)

Ubuntu.

Why? - I guess I'm too lazy for distro hopping now :(

Besides, this was the 1st Linux distro I tried back in 2005. After the usual ditro hopping phase was over, I settled on it; somehow (irrespective of snap and other controversies) I feel at home.

[–] Aimeeloulm@feddit.uk 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

For me its Linux Mint, I'm no longer in position really to do distro hopping, so long as Linux Mint keeps working I will keep using it, I see no reason to change right now. I'm glad and happy that you have settled on Ubuntu, have fun, enjoy and be happy huuuugs 😉

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[–] Bluefruit@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago

I agree. I tried Fedora first, then Pop!OS, and then settled on Kubuntu.

Kubuntu has been the most stable so far, no big issues. I chose it for that and its Wayland support. Snaps can be disabled or even have auto update turned off which is what I did and I had no real issues with Ubuntu past that so overall a good distro.

Widely supported, plenty of tutorials, has my favorite DE as a spin, it just does what I need it to.

[–] yaroto98@lemmy.org 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Garuda - all the benefits of arch with an easy installer. And it's prettier (in my opinion) than EndeavorOS. Gaming is pretty great.

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[–] hexagonwin@lemmy.sdf.org 5 points 1 week ago

slackware the og linux distro. super stable, sane package management etc. i've wanted to try void/arch/gentoo/crux for a pretty long time but still haven't because this just works perfectly

[–] schnurrito@discuss.tchncs.de 5 points 1 week ago

Debian (testing) is most suitable for me. If there were a universally best distro, all the others would cease to exist...

It isn't made by a for-profit company and thus doesn't have "features" I don't want.

It pays attention to software freedom, though it isn't so restrictive about it that it doesn't work with my hardware.

It was very easy to install only the things I wanted and needed.

[–] absGeekNZ@lemmy.nz 4 points 1 week ago

Mint Cinnamon.

It's easy, stable and gets out of my way.

I haven't seen the need to dostro hop for years.

[–] ar1@lemmy.sdf.org 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I just want to learn more about what are the differences between distros, so that they will be better or worse? Are all the distros having the same GNU/Linux kernel so that if I replace all the Arch userland files into Debian's, the system will become Debian?

[–] IsoKiero@sopuli.xyz 5 points 1 week ago

Are all the distros having the same GNU/Linux kernel

Yes. Different distros have different versions, patches and so on, but the underlying kernel is the same.

if I replace all the Arch userland files into Debian’s, the system will become Debian?

If by "userland" you mean files which your normal non-root user can touch, then no. There's differences on how distributions build directory trees, file locations, binaries, versions and so on. You can of course replace all the files on the system and change distribution that way, a convenient way to do that is to use distros installer but technically speaking you can also replace them manually by hand (which I don't recommend).

[–] nyan@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Gentoo works best for me because I'm a control freak. It lets me tune my system in any way I want, and I don't mind leaving my computer on while I'm asleep so that it can compile its way through libreoffice, webkit, and a couple of browsers. Plus, based on complaints I hear from people using other distros, Portage beats other package managers in every way except speed.

This doesn't mean that it's best for everyone, mind you, just that it's best for me.

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[–] Crabhands@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

EndeavorOS. It runs smooth, i dont get errors, all my games work, the taskbar and notifications work like I would expect them too. Switching from Windows 2 months ago, I cycled through a few distros but they all were giving something up until i found EoS.

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[–] bbleml@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

NixOS. I've gotten so used to the declarative nature of NixOS, that I simply cannot go back to a "normal" distro anymore.

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[–] Matriks404@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago
[–] Pirate@feddit.org 4 points 1 week ago

OpenSUSE tumbleweed: Up-to-date, unbreakable due to Btrfs+snapper, very secure defaults (firewall), based in Germany. It works perfectly on my Thinkpad, so I couldn't ask for better.

[–] TheCynicalSaint@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 week ago (4 children)

Fedora is quite unremarkable, no issues of late. Or ever, for that matter. It's glorious.

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[–] Core_of_Arden@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 week ago

Because I don't have a fickle heart, and My distro is the best, right now, for me. There's nothing more to it. I do like Mint - but a few apps are out of date, and that's annoying. But it's stable, looks great, and works like a charm.

[–] pyssla@quokk.au 3 points 1 week ago

A bit of tinkering. Thoughts?

Obligatory "There is not a single distro that's the absolute best for each and every one." disclaimer aside, my personal favorite is definitely secureblue for being a hardened-by-default distro that adheres to the ~~'immutable'~~ reprovisionable, anti-hysteresis paradigm while enjoying a healthy stream of improvements pushed out by an active group of contributors.

[–] DarkMetatron@feddit.org 3 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

My way of thinking and working is incompatible with most premade automatism, it utterly confuses me when a system is doing something on its own without me configuring it that way.

That's why I have issues with many of the "easy" distributions like Ubuntu. Those want to be to helpful for my taste. Don't take me wrong, I am not against automatism or helper tools/functions, not at all. I just want to have full knowledge and full control of them.

I used Gentoo for years and it was heaven for me, the possibility to turn every knob exactly like I wanted them to be was so great, but in the end was the time spend compiling everything not worth it.

That's why I changed to Arch Linux. The bare bone nature of the base install and the high flexibility of pacman and the AUR are ideal for me. I love that Arch by default is not easy, that it doesn't try to anticipate what I want to do. If something happens automatically it is because I configured the system to behave that way.

Linux is so great, because there is a distribution for nearly everyone out there (unless you are blind, then things are not that great apparently, but it seems to get better).

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