The best linux distributions

The Best Linux Distributions for Beginners in 2020

Traditionally, Linux was a reserve for developers, system administrators, and Enterprise users for hosting websites and other applications. There was a time when Linux posed a great deal of complexity to beginners and simply discouraged them from embracing it.

Over time, the vibrant Open source community has made enormous efforts in bringing Linux closer to the ordinary Windows and mac users by making it more user-friendly and easy to use.

This guide covers the best Linux distributions for beginners in 2020.

1. Zorin OS

Based on Ubuntu and Developed by Zorin group, Zorin is a powerful and user-friendly Linux distribution that was developed with new Linux users in mind. This is notably clear from its neat, simple, and intuitive UI whose look-and-feel closely resembles Windows 7 and 10. For Windows or macOS users who are trying their hand out in Linux, this distribution comes highly recommended.

Zorin OS Desktop

Zorin has been around since 2009, with the latest release being Zorin 15.2 which is available in 4 editions namely: Ultimate, Core, Lite, and Education.

The Core, Lite, and Education editions are free for download with the Ultimate Edition going for only $39. Education and Ultimate editions ship with both GNOME and XFCE desktop environments. Core edition is only available in GNOME while Lite comes with the XFCE environment.

All editions come packed with office productivity software such as LibreOffice alongside useful utilities and applications to get you started. Zorin is also secure with periodic security patches and feature updates to address any security flaws and improve the performance of the system.

Zorin also comes highly recommended for old PCs or systems with low CPU and RAM specifications.

Zorin OS Requirements

Minimum system requirements include:

• 1Ghz dual-core CPU
• 2GB RAM (512Mb for Lite edition)
• 10GB hard disk space ( 20GB for Ultimate Edition)
• Minimum resolution of 800 x 600 ( 640 x 480 for Lite edition)

If you are a newcomer to Linux, consider giving Zorin a test run and enjoy the sleek UI, stability, and wonderful system performance.

2. Linux Mint

Linux Mint is free and open-source that was built with a focus on desktop users. Based on Ubuntu Mint enjoys a vibrant community of developers who work round the clock to deliver a stable, fully-featured, customizable, and secure system.

Linux Mint Desktop

Right from the start, Mint provides an elegant and sleek interface that is easy to interact with. A simple click of the Start button at the bottom left corner reveals a rich menu replete with your favorite applications, storage locations, and various settings that you can use to tweak your system to your desired preference.

On the taskbar, be sure to find status icons such as the Network status icon, Update manager, volume, battery usage, and date icons just as you would find on a Windows 7 or 10 system.

With Linux Mint, everything works out-of-the-box with full multimedia support, managed system updates using the Update Manager tool, and a software manager repository where you can install your favorite applications such as Skype, Discord and VLC media player.

Mint is a long term support (LTS) operating system implying that it receives support for extended periods of time of up to 5 years.

The latest release of Mint is Linux Mint 20.0 codenamed Ulyana. It was released in June 2020 and is based on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS. It’s available for download in 3 desktop environments: Cinnamon, MATE and XFCE. However, unlike its predecessors such as Mint 19.3 and earlier, it is only available for download in 64-bit architecture. It’s highly customizable with a rich set of desktop backgrounds, improved monitor support with fractional scaling, accent colors, and other system improvements.

Unlike Zorin, Mint has a fairly large footprint and requires a robust system with higher specifications for installation for it to run smoothly. To install Linux Mint, your PC needs to meet the following minimum requirements:

Linux Mint Requirements

• 2GB RAM
• 20GB hard disk space
• A resolution of 1024 x 768

3. Ubuntu

Developed by Canonical, Ubuntu remains to be one of the most popular mainstream Linux distros of all time, with several other distros derived from it. Ubuntu is open source, and absolutely free for download. It ships with a GNOME desktop environment with polished icons and a rich set of desktop backgrounds.

Ubuntu Linux

It works out of the box with full multimedia support and basic applications to get you started out such as LibreOffice suite, Rhythmbox media player. Firefox browser and Thunderbird email client.

Ubuntu’s massive popularity stems from the availability of over 50,000 software packages from its four main repositories; Main, Restricted, Universe, and Multiverse. This simplifies the installation of almost any software packages using the APT package manager on the command-line.

Ubuntu also comes with a rich Software Center which is a graphical front-end that allows users to easily install and remove software packages from the system without having to run commands on the terminal.

Ubuntu is quite easy to use and highly customizable supporting up to 10 desktop environments. The latest release is Ubuntu 20.04 dubbed Focal Fossa which is a Long Term release with support going all the way up till 2025. It ships with polished icons, enhanced monitor support with fractional scaling, additional theme variants, ZFS file support, and more emphasis on Snaps.

Over time, Ubuntu has evolved and now includes Enterprise support for cloud technologies such as Openstack, Kubernetes Clusters and even extended to support IoT devices

Older versions of Ubuntu ran quite smoothly on older PC, but Ubuntu 18.04 and later requires a PC with the following requirements to run smoothly:

Ubuntu Requirements

To install Ubuntu Linux on your PC needs to meet the following minimum requirements:

• 2 GHz dual-core processor
• 4 GB RAM
• 25 GB of hard disk space

4. Elementary OS

Elementary OS has been around for close to 9 years now with its maiden release in March 2011. It comes with a stunning and crisp Pantheon desktop environment, and at first glance, you may be forgiven to think that you are looking at another macOS release given the design cues inspired by mac such as the distinctive centered dock at the bottom of the screen.

Elementary OS Desktop

Honestly speaking the Pantheon desktop is one of the most aesthetically appealing desktop environments and offers an easy to navigate to your applications and files.

By default, Elementary OS is quite minimalistic and takes pride in its App Center where you can install your favorite applications such as Spotify. LibreOffice doesn’t come pre-installed as you would expect but worry not as it’s just a simple click away in the AppCenter.

Elementary OS packs with a wealth of Open Source applications such as email clients, web browsers, photo viewers, music players. Calendars and so on. These include GIMP image editor, Midori web browser, Photo viewer, Geary, etc.

Elementary OS is also based on Ubuntu and is stable and fast even on old and low spec PCs. The latest release is Elementary 5.1 Hera that packs major improvements such as a new-look login screen, improved system settings, and new desktop tweaks.

5. Deepin Linux

Deepin, formerly known as Hiweed Linux or Linux Deepin is a free and open source distribution tailored to provide a unique and interactive user experience using its beautifully designed Deepin Desktop environment that features multiple layouts and polished icons , animation and sounds effects on mouse-clicks and windows with rounded corners. The Desktop environment is based on Qt.

Deepin Linux

Deepin is easy to install, quite stable, and easily customizable to fit your style and taste. It comes with its own Windows manager called dde-kwin that features aesthetically appealing icons and panels.

Deepin is based on Debian and packs a collection of both open source and proprietary applications. Out of the box, you will find applications such as WPS Office, Google Chrome browser, Thunderbird mail client, Deepin Movie, Deepin Music, and Deepin store to mention a few.

6. Manjaro Linux

Manjaro is yet another open-source beginner-friendly Linux distribution that is based on Arch Linux. While lightweight, stable, and exceptionally fast, Arch Linux is traditionally tailored for advanced users with deeper technical knowhow in Linux. As such Arch is considered beyond the scope of many beginners.

Manjaro Linux

And that’s where Manjaro comes in. Manjaro ships with all the benefits of Arch Linux coupled with an elegant look, user-friendliness, and accessibility. Manjaro is available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions, however, the latest versions are only available in 64-bit.

Manjaro is easy to install and comes in 3 desktop environments XFCE, KDE Plasma, and GNOME. It’s quite versatile and can be tweaked to suit your own style and taste. It’s a rolling release, meaning that the core system can be updated and upgraded without the need to reinstall a newer system.

Out of the box, Manjaro packs essential applications that you would need on the go such as Firefox browser, Thunderbird email client, LibreOffice suite, and also allows you to download many more applications from Arch repositories. Upon installation, Manjaro auto-detects all hardware components of your system including graphic drivers and auto installs the necessary applications.

Manjaro Linux Requirements

To install Manjaro Linux on your PC needs to meet the following minimum requirements:

• 4GB of memory
• 30GB of hard disk space
• 1 gigahertz (GHz) processor
• A high definition (HD) graphics card and monitor

7. CentOS

CentOS is an open-source community-driven operating system that is based on RHEL (Red Hat Enterprise Linux). It offers beginners a gateway to try out an RPM-based Linux distribution at absolutely no cost, unlike Red Hat which is subscription-based.

CentOS Desktop

Unlike the earlier-mentioned distributions, CentOS is more geared towards stability and performance than the visual appeal and customizations. In fact, due to its stability, it comes recommended for server environments and for beginners seeking to venture into System Administration and development.

CentOS 8 is the latest release and ships with GNOME as the default desktop environment. Software packages are provided for through 2 main repositories: AppStream and BaseOS.

Though very commendable on stability and performance, CentOS 8 doesn’t have much to offer in the way of desktop customization. If you are looking for an exciting desktop experience, you are better off with the first 6 distributions.

With a huge and vibrant community of open source developers, beginners can always rest assured that help will be in their way in case they get stuck.

Conclusion

While there are still many other distros that are user-friendly for beginners, we covered what we felt are the most popular and recommended Linux flavors for newcomers. If you are a beginner, we hope that this guide will help you make an informed decision as you embark on your journey in learning Linux.

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Best Linux Distributions That are Most Suitable for Beginners

Last updated March 25, 2021 By Aquil Roshan 326 Comments

Brief: It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the list of Linux distributions available. In this article, we will mention the best Linux distros for beginners.

Let’s face it, Linux can pose an overwhelming complexity to new users. But then, it’s not Linux itself that brings this complexity. Rather, it’s the “newness” factor that causes this. Not getting nostalgic, but remembering my first time with Linux, I didn’t even know what to expect. I liked it. But it was an upstream swim for me initially.

Not knowing where to start can be a downer. Especially for someone who does not have the concept of something else running on their PC in place of Windows.

The first thing that confuses a newcomer is that Linux is not a single operating system. There are hundreds of Linux distributions. We have covered why there are so many Linux in detail, so I am not going to discuss it again.

Here are a few lists of Linux distributions based on different criteria:

In addition to that, there are distributions that cater to the needs of newcomers especially. So, here, we shall focus on those options.

Best Linux Distros for Beginners

Please remember that this list is no particular order. The main criteria for compiling this list is the ease of installation, out of the box hardware support, ease of use, and availability of software packages.

1. Ubuntu

• Easy to use
• Unique user experience
• Huge collection of software applications available through the software center
• Essential tools pre-installed

You must have heard about Ubuntu — no matter what. It is the most popular Linux distribution overall. Not just limited to servers, but also the most popular choice for Linux desktops.

It is easy to use, offers a good user experience, and comes pre-installed with essential tools to get a head start. Of course, Ubuntu managed to “simplify” the Linux experience years back and that is the reason why it is still so popular even with several impressive Linux distributions available right now.

Ubuntu offers a very convenient installation procedure and ensures best hardware compatibility when compared to some other non-Ubuntu based Linux distributions.

The original Ubuntu relies on GNOME desktop. Even though it is easy to use, it may not prove to be a familiar user interface if you’re coming from the Windows platform. In that case, you can try out some official flavors of Ubuntu like Kubuntu, Lubuntu to get a Windows-like user interface.

Ubuntu has a great documentation and community support. Ubuntu forums and Ask Ubuntu provide an appreciable quality support in almost all aspects regarding Ubuntu. You should easily find answers to common issues and even if you notice something new, the community will help you out troubleshooting.

2. Linux Mint

• Familiar user interface with Windows
• Performs great with older hardware
• Some improvements over Ubuntu

Linux Mint is arguably the best Ubuntu-based Linux distribution suitable for beginners. Yes, it is based on Ubuntu, so you should expect the same advantages of using Ubuntu. However, instead of GNOME desktop, it offers different desktop environments like Cinnamon, Xfce, and MATE. In fact, Linux Mint does a few things better than Ubuntu.

Not just limited to the familiar user interface, which will be a bonus for Windows users. It provides an impressive performance with minimal hardware requirements, especially with Xfce or MATE desktop environment.

It also uses the same software repository as Ubuntu. You don’t have to worry about the availability of software to install.

Linux Mint is a fantastic Windows-like distribution. So, if you do not want a unique user interface (like Ubuntu), Linux Mint should be the perfect choice.

The most popular suggestion would be to go with Linux Mint Cinnamon edition. But, you can explore whatever you want. Also, you might want to look at our tutorial to install Linux Mint 20 from USB.

3. Zorin OS

• Windows-like user interface
• Intuitive user experience
• Easy to use
• Ultimate edition available with a lot of pre-installed goodies and Lite edition for older computers

Zorin OS is yet another impressive Linux distribution that offers a similar user interface to Windows. It may not be the most popular choice but being an Ubuntu-based distribution, it is perfectly suitable for beginners while offering many cool features as well.

Zorin OS is an Ubuntu-based distribution but feels highly polished. In my opinion, it is perfectly tailored for former Windows users who want a similar look and feel but something beautiful.

No wonder why Zorin OS is one of the most beautiful Linux distros out there.

The ultimate edition of Zorin OS is worth spending if you need all the pre-installed goodies (fun games, office suite, and some additional features). But, the free edition works like a charm as well.

You will also find a “Lite” edition which is suitable for old hardware that needs to be revived.

4. Elementary OS

Now that I mentioned a beautiful Linux distribution above, elementary OS is actually the most popular good-looking Linux distribution that takes inspiration from macOS.

Even though it is not a “macOS clone” in any aspect, it tries to focus on the user experience similar to how macOS does (or should). If you are coming from the Apple ecosystem, you would love to try elementary OS for sure.

Again, it is based on Ubuntu, so you get all the benefits of it along with a rich user experience.

Elementary OS features the Pantheon desktop environment. You can immediately notice the resemblance to macOS desktop.

The operating system is zero intrusive so you can really focus on your work. It comes with a very small number of pre-installed software. So, any new user will not be repulsed by huge bloat. But it’s got everything you need out of the box. The App Center is also unique when compared to other Linux distributions.

You will find some elementary OS tailored applications and can choose to pay the developer through the software store as well.

Experience wise, Elementary OS is really a great piece of software.

5. Linux Lite

Linux Lite is yet another Ubuntu-based distribution that is easy to use. It is specifically tailored as a lightweight distribution with some pre-installed applications that are not resource-heavy.

Linux Lite is perfectly suitable for Windows users with a similar user interface featuring the Xfce desktop environment. Compared to its previous iterations, Linux Lite has improved the user experience. Even though it isn’t meant to provide you the most modern experience, it still looks great as a desktop OS.

6. Manjaro Linux

• Not an Ubuntu-based distribution
• Arch-based Linux distribution
• Presents a learning curve

If you want to take up a challenge with a learning curve and want to try something else other than a distribution based on Ubuntu, Manjaro Linux is the best bet.

It is based on Arch Linux but tailored as a beginner-friendly distribution. Of course, considering that it follows a rolling release update cycle, you might end up with a broken system (even though that does not happen all the time). But, you have to compromise on the reliability when compared to any Ubuntu based Linux distribution mentioned in this list.

You also get a wide range of choice to install a variety of software tools. There’s also AUR, which is a community-maintained repository for software that may not be available for Manjaro officially.

If you want to know more about it, you may want to check out our detailed review of Manjaro Linux.

Manjaro Linux offers different desktop environments like XFCE, KDE, Gnome, Cinnamon and a host of more desktop environments. So, you get a lot of choices.

7. Pop!_OS

• Improved user experience when compared to Ubuntu
• Extra out-of-the-box features like Auto window tiling to help with fast multi-tasking

Pop OS is probably the best Ubuntu-based Linux distribution if you’re not looking for a lightweight Linux distribution.

It provides a polished and snappy experience when compared to Ubuntu GNOME edition. You also get some interesting features like automatic window tiling, window stacking, and a few more with Pop OS.

You also get a vanilla GNOME experience on Pop OS when compared to Ubuntu. However, unlike some other options, it does not officially support other desktop environments out of the box. So, if you do not like GNOME, you may have to manually try other desktop environments as an experiment. You might find the review of Pop OS 20.04 useful to explore more about it.

8. Peppermint OS

Peppermint Linux is an interesting choice for beginners who prefer to use web applications as local applications using the out-of-the-box integration with Ice.

It is based on Ubuntu, so along with all the goodies of Ubuntu it features a few extra options to give you a head start. It isn’t pitched as a lightweight distro, but it works quite well with older hardware as well.

9. Deepin

If performance or hardware requirement does not bother you, Deepin OS will be an interesting pick. It is known for its eye-candy user interface that is one of the most gorgeous Linux distributions out there.

Of course, it suffers from performance issues if you do not have a decent modern hardware configuration. But, if it works well on your system, it is easy to use and offers plenty of software tools to get started.

Some might mention that just because it is a project with based out of Mainland China, you need to avoid it. So, if you have an issue with that, you might take a look at UbuntuDDE (which is basically Ubuntu + eye-candy visuals of Deepin)

Your choice for the best Linux distro for beginners?

Linux might come with a tiny learning curve, but that’s not something anybody ever regretted. Go ahead, you will love it like I do!

To give you a head start, I would recommend you to follow Ubuntu 20.04 installation guide and refer how to install a distro from USB.

If you are already a Linux user, do share this article and help someone fall in love with Linux. What do you think about the distributions tailored for beginners mentioned above? Do you have a suggestion? Let me know in the comments below!

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