Best linux home server

Top 5 Linux Server Distributions

Ah, the age-old question: Which Linux distribution is best suited for servers? Typically, when this question is asked, the standard responses pop up:

However, in the name of opening your eyes to maybe something a bit different, I’m going to approach this a bit differently. I want to consider a list of possible distributions that are not only outstanding candidates but also easy to use, and that can serve many functions within your business. In some cases, my choices are drop-in replacements for other operating systems, whereas others require a bit of work to get them up to speed.

Some of my choices are community editions of enterprise-grade servers, which could be considered gateways to purchasing a much more powerful platform. You’ll even find one or two entries here to be duty-specific platforms. Most importantly, however, what you’ll find on this list isn’t the usual fare.

ClearOS

What is ClearOS? For home and small business usage, you might not find a better solution. Out of the box, ClearOS includes tools like intrusion detection, a strong firewall, bandwidth management tools, a mail server, a domain controller, and much more. What makes ClearOS stand out above some of the competition is its purpose is to server as a simple Home and SOHO server with a user-friendly, graphical web-based interface. From that interface, you’ll find an application marketplace ( Figure 1 ), with hundreds of apps (some of which are free, whereas some have an associated cost), that makes it incredibly easy to extend the ClearOS featureset. In other words, you make ClearOS the platform your home and small business needs it to be. Best of all, unlike many other alternatives, you only pay for the software and support you need.

Figure 1: The ClearOS Marketplace.

There are three different editions of ClearOS:

ClearOS Community – the free edition of ClearOS

ClearOS Home – ideal for home offices

ClearOS Business – ideal for small businesses, due to the inclusion of paid support

To make the installation of software even easier, the ClearOS marketplace allows you to select via:

By Function (which displays apps according to task)

By Category (which displays groups of related apps)

Quick Select File (which allows you to select pre-configured templates to get you up and running fast)

In other words, if you’re looking for a Linux Home, SOHO, or SMB server, ClearOS is an outstanding choice (especially if you don’t have the Linux chops to get a standard server up and running).

Fedora Server

You’ve heard of Fedora Linux. Of course you have. It’s one of the finest bleeding edge distributions on the market. But did you know the developers of that excellent Fedora Desktop distribution also has a Server edition? The Fedora Server platform is a short-lifecycle, community-supported server OS. This take on the server operating system enables seasoned system administrators, experienced with any flavor of Linux (or any OS at all), to make use of the very latest technologies available in the open source community. There are three key words in that description:

In other words, new users need not apply. Although Fedora Server is quite capable of handling any task you throw at it, it’s going to require someone with a bit more Linux kung fu to make it work and work well. One very nice inclusion with Fedora Server is that, out of the box, it includes one of the finest open source, web-based interface for servers on the market. With Cockpit ( Figure 2 ) you get a quick glance at system resources, logs, storage, network, as well as the ability to manage accounts, services, applications, and updates.

Figure 2: Cockpit running on Fedora Server.

If you’re okay working with bleeding edge software, and want an outstanding admin dashboard, Fedora Server might be the platform for you.

NethServer

NethServer is about as no-brainer of a drop-in SMB Linux server as you’ll find. With the latest iteration of NethServer, your small business will enjoy:

Built-in Samba Active Directory Controller

Seamless Nextcloud integration

Transparent HTTPS proxy

Mail server and filter

Web server and filter

All of the included features can be easily configured with a user-friendly, web-based interface that includes single-click installation of modules to expand the NethServer feature set ( Figure 3 ) What sets NethServer apart from ClearOS is that it was designed to make the admin job easier. In other words, this platform offers much more in the way of flexibility and power. Unlike ClearOS, which is geared more toward home office and SOHO deployments, NethServer is equally at home in small business environments.

Figure 3: Adding modules to NethServer.

Rockstor

Rockstor is a Linux and Btfrs powered advanced Network Attached Storage (NAS) and Cloud storage server that can be deployed for Home, SOHO, as well as small- and mid-sized businesses alike. With Rockstor, you get a full-blown NAS/Cloud solution with a user-friendly, web-based GUI tool that is just as easy for admins to set up as it is for users to use. Once you have Rockstor deployed, you can create pools, shares, snapshots, manage replication and users, share files (with the help of Samba, NFS, SFTP, and AFP), and even extend the featureset, thanks to add-ons (called Rock-ons). The list of Rock-ons includes:

CouchPotato (Downloader for usenet and bittorrent users)

Deluge (Movie downloader for bittorrent users)

EmbyServer (Emby media server)

Ghost (Publishing platform for professional bloggers)

GitLab CE (Git repository hosting and collaboration)

Gogs Go Git Service (Lightweight Git version control server and front end)

Headphones (An automated music downloader for NZB and Torrent)

Logitech Squeezebox Server for Squeezebox Devices

MariaDB (Relational database management system)

NZBGet (Efficient usenet downloader)

OwnCloud-Official (Secure file sharing and hosting)

Plexpy (Python-based Plex Usage tracker)

Rocket.Chat (Open Source Chat Platform)

SaBnzbd (Usenet downloader)

Sickbeard (Internet PVR for TV shows)

Sickrage (Automatic Video Library Manager for TV Shows)

Sonarr (PVR for usenet and bittorrent users)

Symform (Backup service)

Rockstor also includes an at-a-glance dashboard that gives admins quick access to all the information they need about their server ( Figure 4 ).

The Rockstor dashboard in action.

Zentyal

Zentyal is another Small Business Server that does a great job of handling multiple tasks. If you’re looking for a Linux distribution that can handle the likes of:

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Best Linux Distributions For Everyone in 2021

Last updated January 29, 2021 By Ankush Das 168 Comments

Brief: Which is the best Linux distribution? There is no definite answer to that question. This is why we have compiled this list of best Linux in various categories.

There are many Linux distributions. I can’t even think of coming up with an exact number because you would find loads of Linux distros that differ from one another in one way or the other.

Some of them just turn out to be a clone of one another while some of them tend to be unique. So, it’s kind of a mess – but that is the beauty of Linux.

Fret not, even though there are thousands of distributions around, in this article, I have compiled a list of the best Linux distros available right now. Of course, the list can be subjective. But, here, we try to categorize the distros – so there’s something for everyone.

Note: The list is in no particular order of ranking.

Best Linux Distributions for Beginners

In this category, we aim to list the distros which are easy-to-use out of the box. You do not need to dig deeper, you can just start using it right away after installation without needing to know any commands or tips.

Ubuntu

Ubuntu is undoubtedly one of the most popular Linux distributions. You can even find it pre-installed on a lot of laptops available.

The user interface is easy to get comfortable with. If you play around, you can easily customize the look of it as per your requirements. In either case, you can opt to install a theme as well. You can learn more about how to install themes in Ubuntu to get started.

In addition to what it offers, you will find a huge online community of Ubuntu users. So, if you face an issue – head to any of the forums (or a subreddit) to ask for help. If you are looking for direct solutions in no time, you should check out our coverage on Ubuntu (where we have a lot of tutorials and recommendations for Ubuntu).

Linux Mint

Linux Mint Cinnamon is another popular Linux distribution among beginners. The default Cinnamon desktop resembles Windows XP and this is why many users opted for it when Windows XP was discontinued.

Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu and thus it has all the applications available for Ubuntu. The simplicity and ease of use is why it has become a prominent choice for new Linux users.

elementary OS

elementary OS is one of the most beautiful Linux distros I’ve ever used. The UI resembles that of Mac OS – so if you have already used a Mac-powered system, it’s easy to get comfortable with.

This distribution is based on Ubuntu and focuses to deliver a user-friendly Linux environment which looks as pretty as possible while keeping the performance in mind. If you choose to install elementary OS, a list of 11 things to do after installing elementary OS should come in handy.

MX Linux

MX Linux came in the limelight almost a year ago. Now (at the time of publishing this), it is the most popular Linux distro on DistroWatch.com. If you haven’t used it yet – you will be surprised when you get to use it.

Unlike Ubuntu, MX Linux is an increasingly popular Linux distribution based on Debian with Xfce as its desktop environment. In addition to its impeccable stability – it comes packed with a lot of GUI tools which makes it easier for any user comfortable with Windows/Mac originally.

Also, the package manager is perfectly tailored to facilitate one-click installations. You can even search for Flatpak packages and install it in no time (Flathub is available by default in the package manager as one of the sources).

Zorin OS

Zorin OS is yet another Ubuntu-based distribution which happens to be one of the most good-looking and intuitive OS for desktop. Especially, after Zorin OS 15 release – I would definitely recommend it for users without any Linux background. A lot of GUI-based applications comes baked in as well.

Considering Zorin OS 16 as one of the most anticipated distributions, I would definitely see it as a good option for 2021.

You can also install it on older PCs – however, make sure to choose the “Lite” edition. In addition, you have “Core”, “Education” & “Ultimate” editions. You can choose to install the Core edition for free – but if you want to support the developers and help improve Zorin, consider getting the Ultimate edition.

Zorin OS was started by two teenagers based in Ireland. You may read their story here.

Pop!_OS

Pop!_OS by Sytem76 is a great pick for developers or computer science professionals. Of course, not just limited to coders – it is also an excellent choice if you’re just starting to use Linux. It is based on Ubuntu – but the UI feels a lot more intuitive and smooth. In addition to the UI, it enforces full-disk encryption out of the box.

A lot of our readers seem to be liking it (and sticking with it) as you can judge by the comments below. If you’re curious about it, you should also check out our Pop!_OS 20.04 review.

Other Options

Deepin and other flavors of Ubuntu (like Kubuntu, Xubuntu) could also be some preferred choices for beginners. You can take a look at them if you want to explore more options.

If you want a challenge, you can indeed try Fedora over Ubuntu – but make sure to follow our article on Ubuntu vs Fedora to make a better decision from the desktop point of view.

Best Linux Server Distributions

For servers, the choice of a Linux distro comes down to stability, performance, and enterprise support. If you are just experimenting, you can try any distro you want.

But, if you are installing it for a web server or anything vital – you should take a look at some of our recommendations.

Ubuntu Server

Depending on where you want it, Ubuntu provides different options for your server. If you are looking for an optimized solution to run on AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform, etc., Ubuntu Cloud is the way to go.

In either case, you can opt for Ubuntu Server packages and have it installed on your server. Nevertheless, Ubuntu is the most popular Linux distro when it comes to deployment on the cloud (judging by the numbers – source 1, source 2).

Do note that we recommend you to go for the LTS editions – unless you have specific requirements.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux

Red Hat Enterprise Linux is a top-notch Linux platform for businesses and organizations. If we go by the numbers, Red Hat may not be the most popular choice for servers. But, there’s a significant group of enterprise users who rely on RHEL (like Lenovo).

Technically, Fedora and Red Hat are related. Whatever Red Hat supports – gets tested on Fedora before making it available for RHEL. I’m not an expert on server distributions for tailored requirements – so you should definitely check out their official documentation to know if it’s suitable for you.

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

Fret not, do not confuse this with OpenSUSE. Everything comes under a common brand “SUSE” – but OpenSUSE is an open-source distro targeted and yet, maintained by the community.

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server is one of the most popular solutions for cloud-based servers. You will have to opt for a subscription in order to get priority support and assistance to manage your open source solution.

CentOS 8 (End-of-Life 2021, Look for Alternatives)

Yes, you can get RHEL subscription for free up to 16 servers without technical support. But, CentOS was more like a community edition of RHEL because it was derived from the sources of Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

But, now that CentOS has been replaced by CentOS Stream, you can either try CentOS Stream, which is an upstream to Red Hat Enterprise Linux or look for CentOS alternatives.

Cent OS 7 will be supported till 2024 and Cent OS 8 will see an early end of life in 2021. So, you can try it as an experiment before trying CentOS alternatives or CentOS Stream.

Other Options

You can also try exploring Fedora Server or Debian as alternatives to some of the distros mentioned above.

If you are into programming and software development check out the list of

Interested in learning and practicing cyber security? Check out the list of

Best Linux Distributions for Older Computers

If you have an old PC lying around or if you didn’t really need to upgrade your system – you can still try some of the best Linux distros available.

We’ve already talked about some of the best lightweight Linux distributions in details and top Linux distributions to support 32-bit computers. Here, we shall only mention what really stands out from that list (and some new additions).

Puppy Linux

Puppy Linux is literally one of the smallest distribution there is. When I first started to explore Linux, my friend recommended me to experiment with Puppy Linux because it can run on older hardware configurations with ease.

It’s worth checking it out if you want a snappy experience on your good old PC. Over the years, the user experience has improved along with the addition of several new useful features.

Solus Budgie

After a recent major release – Solus 4.1 Fortitude – it is an impressive lightweight desktop OS. You can opt for desktop environments like GNOME or MATE. However, Solus Budgie happens to be one of my favorites as a full-fledged Linux distro for beginners while being light on system resources.

Bodhi

Bodhi Linux is built on top of Ubuntu. However, unlike Ubuntu – it does run well on older configurations.

The main highlight of this distro is its Moksha Desktop (which is a continuation of Enlightenment 17 desktop). The user experience is intuitive and screaming fast. Even though it’s not something for my personal use – you should give it a try on your older systems.

antiX

antiX – which is also partially responsible for MX Linux is a lightweight Linux distribution tailored for old and new computers. The UI isn’t impressive – but it works as expected.

It is based on Debian and can be utilized as a live CD distribution without needing to install it. antiX also provides live bootloaders. In contrast to some other distros, you get to save the settings so that you don’t lose it with every reboot. Not just that, you can also save changes to the root directory with its “Live persistence” feature.

So, if you are looking for a live-USB distro to provide a snappy user experience on old hardware – antiX is the way to go.

Sparky Linux

Sparky Linux is based on Debian which turns out to be a perfect Linux distro for low-end systems. Along with a screaming fast experience, Sparky Linux offers several special editions (or varieties) for different users.

For example, it provides a stable release (with varieties) and rolling releases specific to a group of users. Sparky Linux GameOver edition is quite popular for gamers because it includes a bunch of pre-installed games. You can check out our list of best Linux Gaming distributions – if you also want to play games on your system.

Other Options

You can also try Linux Lite, Lubuntu, and Peppermint as some of the lightweight Linux distributions.

Best Linux Distro for Advanced Users

Once you get comfortable with the variety of package managers and commands to help troubleshoot your way to resolve any issue, you can start exploring Linux distros which are tailored for Advanced users only.

Of course, if you are a professional – you will have a set of specific requirements. However, if you’ve been using Linux for a while as a common user – these distros are worth checking out.

Arch Linux

Arch Linux is itself a simple yet powerful distribution with a huge learning curve. Unlike others, you won’t have everything pre-installed in one go. You have to configure the system and add packages as needed.

Also, when installing Arch Linux, you will have to follow a set of commands (without GUI). To know more about it, you can follow our guide on how to install Arch Linux. If you are going to install it, you should also know about some of the essential things to do after installing Arch Linux. It will help you get a jump start.

In addition to all the versatility and simplicity, it’s worth mentioning that the community behind Arch Linux is very active. So, if you run into a problem, you don’t have to worry.

Gentoo

If you know how to compile the source code, Gentoo Linux is a must-try for you. It is also a lightweight distribution – however, you need to have the required technical knowledge to make it work.

Of course, the official handbook provides a lot of information that you need to know. But, if you aren’t sure what you’re doing – it will take a lot of your time to figure out how to make the most out of it.

Slackware

Slackware is one of the oldest Linux distribution that still matters. If you are willing to compile or develop software to set up a perfect environment for yourself – Slackware is the way to go.

In case you’re curious about some of the oldest Linux distros, we have an article on the earliest linux distributions – go check it out.

Even though the number of users/developers utilizing it has significantly decreased, it is still a fantastic choice for advanced users. Also, with the recent news of Slackware getting a Patreon page – we hope that Slackware continues to exist as one of the best Linux distros out there.

Best Multi-purpose Linux Distribution

There are certain Linux distros which you can utilize as a beginner-friendly / advanced OS for both desktops and servers. Hence, we thought of compiling a separate section for such distributions.

If you don’t agree with us (or have suggestions to add here) – feel free to let us know in the comments. Here’s what we think could come in handy for every user:

Fedora

Fedora offers two separate editions – one for desktops/laptops and the other for servers (Fedora Workstation and Fedora Server respectively).

So, if you are looking for a snappy desktop OS – with a potential learning curve while being user-friendly – Fedora is an option. In either case, if you are looking for a Linux OS for your server – that’s a good choice as well.

Manjaro

Manjaro is based on Arch Linux. Fret not, while Arch Linux is tailored for advanced users, Manjaro makes it easy for a newcomer. It is a simple and beginner-friendly Linux distro. The user interface is good enough and offers a bunch of useful GUI applications built-in.

You get options to choose a desktop environment for Manjaro while downloading it. Personally, I like the KDE desktop for Manjaro.

Debian

Well, Ubuntu’s based on Debian – so it must be a darn good distribution itself. Debian is an ideal choice for both desktop and servers.

It may not be the best beginner-friendly OS – but you can easily get started by going through the official documentation. The recent release of Debian 10 Buster introduces many changes and necessary improvements. So, you must give it a try!

Wrapping Up

Overall, these are the best Linux distributions that we recommend you to try. Yes, there are a lot of other Linux distributions that deserve the mention – but to each of their own, depending on personal preferences – the choices will be subjective.

But, we also have a separate list of distros for Windows users, hackers and pen testers, gamers, programmers, and privacy buffs. So, if that interest you – do go through them.

If you think we missed listing one of your favorites that deserves as one of the best Linux distributions out there, let us know your thoughts in the comments below and we’ll keep the article up-to-date accordingly.

Like what you read? Please share it with others.

About Ankush Das

A passionate technophile who also happens to be a Computer Science graduate. You will usually see cats dancing to the beautiful tunes sung by him.

You better try Q4OS with the Trinity desktop environment, which allows to make a lot of customizations (KDE is also available)/

You should probably change the title of the Article to, ‘Best Debian based distros of 2021’

There are Arch, Slackware, Solus, Fedora on the list.

With 500+ available Linux distributions, I can see why beginners would feel overwhelmed. But there are a few, mainstream distributions that would probably work for most — and have a community to turn to for help. I’ve used each of the following for several months or years as my daily driver and had no major issues.

* Ubuntu – derived from Debian (which is rock solid but has an learning curve, being administered in the style of old-school Unix). Ubuntu sanded the edges off Debian and made it a lot friendlier. The current tweaked Gnome 3 interface suits my workflow perfectly, but, yes, it has a bit of a learning curve for Windows users. A lot of distributions are based on it and this would probably be my go-to for most people who are willing to learn a new paradigm. But if you want a more Windows-like interface, try one of the menu-based Ubuntu “flavors” like Xubuntu, Lubuntu, Kubuntu or something below.

* Fedora – a member of another major Linux family (part of the RedHat universe). I’m running it now. I like the fact that it gets cutting-edge software quickly (it added the newest Gnome version probably six months to a year before Ubuntu), but I find it a little more finicky to administer or install than Ubuntu (partitioning the disk during installation is one-click on Ubuntu, for instance, but more complicated here). Has a learning curve similar to Ubuntu for Windows users.

* Zorin – Beautiful and quite Windows-like (for those coming from Windows). Download Core for modern computers, Lite for older ones. Even runs some Windows programs out of the box, since it implements Windows-emulation software better than other distributions. A very pleasant experience.

* Elementary OS – Beautiful and simple … though ultimately too simple for my needs. It looks MacOS like (for those coming from the Apple world). I used it for a year but ultimately ran out of things I could do with it. But it’s well worth a look. It’s gorgeous on a big screen.

* POP_OS! – Ubuntu with a custom desktop (“Cosmic”) and a lot of default settings than I would enable anyway. Developers love it. And it has a windows tiling system that is kind of like i3 (notorious learning curve) but usable by mere mortals — or turn it off if you like.

* Mint – The “Cinnamon” variant is probably most straightforward for most, though MATE is similar. I’ve never had the slightest problem installing it on any hardware. A lot of people recommend it for beginners or Windows folks. (I’m not personally interested in having a Windows-style workflow, but I know others may differ.) A very safe bet.

I haven’t explored the Arch or SuSE families much. Sorry. Others have good experiences with them.

Which is “the best”? To me, that’s a pointless question on the order of “what is the meaning of life?” Think of “the best” as the one that works best for you, with your particular needs and hardware and workflow. But any of these mainline distributions, above, should be pretty satisfactory to most people. Take your pick. You be you.

Did you say “So, it’s kind of a mess, but that is the beauty of Linux.” ? This is the one thing I will never agree on. In fact, this is the biggest problem and the root cause for it failures. This statement I quoted is mostly backed up by the freedom pitch. As in, “look we’re all free to do what we want, we offer choices to people”. But in reality is just an excuse because people can’t work with others. Example, person x wants to implement a feature. Some collegue says no. Person X then goes off on his own, and make a distro with said feature. But this person is now alone and can’t support his/her own project well enough. Basically, everyone is working against each others nowadays. Just look at how many “backup” apps has been released over the years… or any other app types for that matter.

I don’t need endless choices that end up being a disappointment.. I need ONE app that actually works, which offers various options to shape the configs and match use cases. Anything else is just insanity. Like “head burried in the sand” kinda thing.

This is the same for all linux distros. Sure, doesn’t hurt to have 3, 4.. 5 variant, but countless linux distros comming out of nowhere made by a team of 3 devs… just no. While people waste their time making hundreds of mediocre clones of the same apps, actual progress is slowed down, messy and just wasted. (Im not talking about making apps on your own for educational purposes, I am specifically talking about shovelwares dumped on the community)

This nightmare is just as bad for end users. Having to look for 10000 pages of poorly phrased documentation.. just because some other person can’t design intuitive UI. Then you have to deal with imcompatibility issues, low support .. list goes on, never ending. Heck, the end users are rarely considered.. features disappearing / changing with out warnings. Bugs shrugged off as “it’s a feature”… and still, many projects like that are donations driven… If that does not raise a red flag for anyone then we will be forever stuck with a “carrot at the end of the stick” scenario.. oh well deserved at that.

I mean, idk how many hours i’ve wasted just because some foolish devs/designers have a tunnel vision mindset. Or idk, is it pride or whatever.. For sure, there is no valid point in making all these separated bubbles masquerading as “choices of distro” while one could offer all choices inside the same OS. The point is to save time here, to free up other people so that they too can start contributing. Oh ok sure, make that 2 or 3 variant, if that’s nessecary… But we are now at the point where there is so much crap to research and try out there. One could end up never actually using the thing. Instead, we are walking into a never ending blackhole of shitpile triaging…. only to end up being overwhelmed and fed up.

And no, I am not giving suttle praises to windows here… It might have the right idea by having just a few os variant, so that support is decent and fast. But it is not made with end users’ best interests at heart and I am not wasting anymore time to discuss about something I don’t even consider in the operating system category. Moving on.

Oh well, I ended up with a wall of text. But anyone who has enough guts to face the facts would know that this is just the tip of the iceberg.. enjoy your second rate freedoms

I hate to say it, but most dev’s in the Linux space today aren’t interested in making the one distro that does it all, that does all the right things, correctly. It’s a sad paradox because the Linux community is made up mostly of people who put way more value on “freedom” over “quality”. It is also a sad fact that most new dev’s are ONLY interested in getting their names to show up in GitHub, or they run off and create some silly YouTube channel highlighting their hAcK0r skills because they changed the spelling in a sentence for the documentation on something obscure like the Z shell. ChipX86 is a classic example of a clown that’s been doing this crap for years and years. I remember that fool from the very early 2000’s.

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