Which is better linux or ubuntu

8 Reasons Why Linux Mint is Better Than Ubuntu for Linux Beginners

Last updated January 29, 2021 By Abhishek Prakash 500 Comments

Which one is better, Linux Mint or Ubuntu?

This question has been there ever since Linux Mint came in the picture, and this article does not answer to this question. Well, not entirely.

So, what is this about then?

I have been an Ubuntu user for a long time. I stray to other Linux distributions but I keep coming back to Ubuntu, sooner or later. I occasionally try my hands on Linux Mint also, mostly for the purpose of writing articles about it. I must say using Linux Mint is quite a pleasant experience.

As a die-hard Ubuntu fan, I come back from Mint to Ubuntu eventually but not before noticing that Linux Mint is better than Ubuntu for a beginner.

It’s because there are a few things that Linux Mint handles better than Ubuntu, by default. And this ‘by default’ matters when we are talking about a Linux beginner. Because an experienced Linux user will find his/her way. It’s the beginners who struggle with even a seemingly obvious thing.

Considering that I have used both of these popular Linux distributions, I am confident that I can make a fair comparison of Linux Mint and Ubuntu.

The comparison which I am doing here is from the point of view of a beginner Linux desktop user who probably has just switched from Windows or thinking to switch to Linux. But it should still be a good read for an experienced user.

8 things that make Linux Mint better than Ubuntu for beginners

Ubuntu and Linux Mint are unarguably the most popular desktop Linux distributions. While Ubuntu is based on Debian, Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu. Question is why to use an Ubuntu derivative or a Debian derivative instead of using the source itself. The answer to the question is that the derivative is better.

Hardcore Debian users would disagree but Ubuntu makes Debian better (or should I say easier?). Similarly, Linux Mint makes Ubuntu better.

How come? I am going to list five things that Linux Mint does better than Ubuntu.

Note that the comparison is mainly between Ubuntu GNOME vs Linux Mint’s Cinnamon desktop. A few parameters might not be applicable to other versions with different desktop environments. If you didn’t know, you can read this article to understand what is a desktop environment.

1. Low memory usage in Cinnamon than GNOME

Linux Mint technically tries to get rid of what they think is unnecessary in Ubuntu while aiming to make the experience faster. Of course, that includes using the Cinnamon desktop instead of GNOME as well.

Even though the difference isn’t huge, Linux Mint tends to get an edge with a lower memory consumption over Ubuntu. It is worth noting that the memory consumption depends on what applications you’re running and if they’re resource-friendly. But, out of the box, without any modifications, Linux Mint seems to be light on resources. This makes it an ideal choice for computers with older configuration.

Of course, if you have a core i7 with 16 GB of RAM, this won’t matter. But if you have a core i3 processor with 4GB of RAM (or lower), Cinnamon desktop gets the win technically.

Of course, you can install Cinnamon on Ubuntu but we are discussing the default desktop environments here.

2. Software Manager: faster, sleeker, lighter

Ubuntu Software Center takes ages to load, heavily eats up resources, and is slow while interacting with it. Of course, things have improved over the years but even with Ubuntu 20.04, on board, you will often notice it loading up slow or freezing when updating/installing an app.

On the other hand, Linux Mint’s Software Manager is lighter and quicker. Personally, I haven’t noticed it slow down, it is always snappy whenever you need it.

3. Software Sources with more features

As of now, you get all the essential options to manage repositories, revert the settings, and a couple other things to tweak the software sources as per your requirement.

With Ubuntu, you get the necessary features but Linux Mint goes a step beyond and offers additional benefits like the ability remove foreign packages, add missing keys, remove duplicate entries, and a couple other options which you don’t get with Ubuntu (considering Ubuntu 20.04).

The automatic options to troubleshoot (as shown in the screenshot below) is very useful for beginners, which you will not find in Ubuntu 20.04.

4. Themes, Applets and Desklets

I am not saying it’s rocket science to install themes in Ubuntu. But Linux Mint does it better than Ubuntu.

First, you don’t need to install a new tool (like GNOME Tweak) just to change themes in Mint. It already lets you tweak it from the System Settings. On top of that, you can have several themes from the community at your disposal in Themes System Settings under ‘Get more online’ option.

Ubuntu, on the other hand, does not have this ease in installing the themes. You’ll have to look at places to download the zipped themes file and then install it.

Similarly, Linux Mint also has a separate entry in Settings for applets and desklets. You can also access an online collection of indicator applets and desklets (Windows like desktop widgets in Linux). You won’t find this ability in Ubuntu.

So, for users who want out of the box customizability and the support for applets/desklets with the ease of managing them, Linux Mint will be a perfect choice.

5. Codecs, Flash and plenty of applications by default

It’s not that you cannot install media codecs in Ubuntu. Ubuntu too gives the option to install codecs while installing OS itself. But if you don’t do at installation, you will find yourself struggling.

Ubuntu has a package named Ubuntu Restricted Extras that consists of most commonly used media codecs, including Adobe Flash.

While this package can easily be installed using a simple command, you won’t find it listed in the Ubuntu Software Center. Instead, you will have to browse/scroll down and choose to install GStreamer if you want.

Linux Mint doesn’t come with codecs installed (you do get the option to include it while installing it). But if you search for codecs using the Software Manager, at least it provides you the correct options right away.

You can either choose to install the Ubuntu-restricted-extras package to get the commonly used codecs or something else from the list.

6. More Desktop Choices with Longterm Support

Both Ubuntu and Linux Mint (based on Ubuntu, of course) support 5 years of system updates. However, with Ubuntu, you only get 5 year system updates for GNOME edition by Canonical.

If you want to try Kubuntu, Lubuntu or any other official flavors of Ubuntu, you will end up with only 3 year of system updates.

But, with Linux Mint, no matter whether you use Cinnamon desktop edition, MATE, or XFCE, you get 5 year system updates. I think that gives Linux Mint a slight edge over Ubuntu with different desktop choices without comprising on the software updates.

7. Linux Mint Disables Snap Store by Default

Of course, I don’t have anything against the Snap store in general. It is useful for some users with a variety of applications available while having the ability to get the latest updates. And, with Ubuntu, you get to make use of it by default.

On the other hand, it isn’t open-source and some recent decisions by Canonical to replace parts of APT with Snap without users consent have drifted away a lot of users.

So, if you are someone who does not prefer Snap store, Linux Mint will be a good option for you which blocks Snaps to be installed by APT. However, you may choose to follow one of our tutorials to enable snap support in Linux Mint 20, in case you want it.

8. Pre-installed Linux Mint Apps Are Awesome!

The Linux Mint team does some awesome work on some of their own tools that come pre-installed.

For instance, the update manager on Linux Mint and the Timeshift application to back up/restore easily.

With the update manager, you get to select what you need to update, check history on the update, and get some detailed information for each package update. The Software Updater in Ubuntu is good enough, but I tend to like the Linux Mint’s manager that works snappy all the time.

Not just limited to that, you can head right into Timeshift through the update manager giving you quick access to back up/restore.

Overall, it is a robust update manager. And, if you pair it up with pre-installed Timeshift application to create system backups, you will always be a click away from restoring your system.

Ubuntu 20 Software Updater

With Ubuntu, you can install Timeshift application to back up/restore but that does not come baked in.

What do you say? Mint or Ubuntu?

Keep in mind that it is not a hate post against Ubuntu. I am a great fan of Ubuntu. Personally, I have never liked Cinnamon interface. It’s just too dull for me. I prefer the user experience on Ubuntu.

However, everyone has their set of choices, and I just thought of giving you some reasons if you were thinking about Linux Mint as the desktop operating system for your computer.

It’s just that Linux Mint seems to be a better option than Ubuntu for an absolute beginner to Linux. Considering that Cinnamon has an interface like Windows, it may also be a factor when choosing between Ubuntu and Linux Mint. Of course, you can also check out some windows-like distributions in that case.

For users who have some experience with Linux desktop, it’s more of a personal liking between Ubuntu and Linux Mint. But if you ever wonder why Linux Mint over Ubuntu, these reasons may help you to decide.

What do you think? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

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Ubuntu Vs. Linux Mint – Which Is Better in 2021

Ubuntu vs. Linux Mint are currently arguably two of the most popular Linux distros (with Debian) around. They are both quite user-friendly and for the Linux newbie, you couldn’t be wrong choosing either.

For a very long time, Ubuntu was considered the distro of choice by most Linux enthusiasts, but it has currently been surpassed by Linux Mint (and Debian) as the distro with the most hits.

But which one is better? I believe we all have our favorite distros but having used either of these distros, I’m gonna make an argument for why I believe one is better than the other, so kindly indulge me and let’s see if you can agree with me.

Ubuntu vs. Linux mint

​Linux Mint Vs. Ubuntu System Requirements

Both Linux Mint and Ubuntu have quite similar requirements. For new computers, whichever way you go, you’re going to be fine. For older hardware, Ubuntu does best with Lubuntu, Xubuntu, and Ubuntu MATE flavors, and Mint users also have Mint MATE edition available.

Ubuntu And Linux Mint Installation

There isn’t much difference in the installation experience of both distros. Both use the Ubiquity installer and the experience is quite similar. Ubuntu and Mint both offer support for UEFI.

​Interface(default)

The default interface for Ubuntu is Gnome. With Gnome, Canonical provides a global menu and notification area occupying the top panel. Some common applications live in a dock on the left. You launch the software from the Dash by clicking on the Ubuntu icon.

Mint ships with Cinnamon as its default DE. Applications appear in the panel on the bottom of the desktop, with a launcher menu in the bottom left and system icons on the right in a manner quite similar to MS Windows. “Unity like Gnome” may feel more familiar to Mac OS X users, while Windows users will feel right at home on Linux Mint.

​Software Out Of The Box

Both Mint and Ubuntu use mostly free and open-source software. Unlike Ubuntu, Linux Mint comes pre-installed with some proprietary software that most users tend to need, such as Flash, Java, audio and video codecs. Both distros come pre-installed with LibreOffice and Firefox browser. With Mint, you also get VLC and GIMP out of the box. Overall, Mint comes with more apps out of the box than with Ubuntu.

Software Installation

Both Ubuntu and Mint also have their own app stores that make it easy to find and download new software. Gnome software (previously Ubuntu’s Software Center) comes with Ubuntu and Mint also offers Mint Software Manager(also responsible for updates) which is usually mistaken as a system tool instead of an app store. Both stores provide you with a ton of open-source software for you to download and use.

Official Spins

There are ten different official flavors of Ubuntu listed on their website. Besides the Gnome desktop, you have alternatives that have their default DEs KDE, LXDE, XFCE, MATE, and MythTV. There are also specialized distributions including Edubuntu for the education community, Ubuntu Studio for multimedia production. There’s also Ubuntu Kylin for Chinese users. Linux Mint, on the other hand, comes in four main distros. There’s Cinnamon, MATE, KDE, and XFCE.

Customization (default flavor)

One great thing about Linux is the amount of customization it allows. With Ubuntu, most of this has been done away with in recent releases. You are quite limited to what you can tweak. Mint, on the other hand, has lots of settings that allow you to tweak everything down to the very little details of your interface. Its customization is your thing, Mint does it way better.

Performance (default flavor)

Linux Mint most definitely has an edge when it comes to speed and performance. On a newer machine, the difference may be barely noticeable, but on older hardware, it will definitely feel faster. Ubuntu appears to run slower the older the machine gets. If you’re going to use Ubuntu on older hardware, I recommend you go in for Lubuntu or Xubuntu.

Upgradeability

Both Linux Mint and Ubuntu allow you to update to the new releases from the very recent version almost as soon as they are available. Software updates are also provided have easy-to-use updaters. For Ubuntu, it’s just a case of clicking on the Dash icon in the dock and searching for the Software Updater. For Ubuntu, you use the software updater to check, download and install any updates (OS or apps), download them, and then install them. The process is similar in Mint using the Update Manager app to update your apps or OS. It is also worth noting that there has been some concern towards Mint’s approach to providing important updates

Support

While Ubuntu has software company Canonical behind it to run its development, Linux Mint relies on individual users and companies using the OS to act as sponsors, donors, and partners. Both distros also have vibrant community support.

In Summary

Both Ubuntu and Linux Mint have a lot going for them and choosing one over the other. The main difference between the two is how they are implemented in terms of the User Interface and support. Between the default flavors, (Ubuntu and Mint Cinnamon), it is not easy recommending one over the other. Ubuntu suffered a great deal of backlash due to Unity (though it has now switched back to gnome) even though it is considered the more modern of the two, whilst Cinnamon is considered the more traditional but looks a bit old-fashioned.

So which one is better? My Verdict.

​Based on the arguments I have outlined for either distro, I have provided a scorecard for them.

Category	UBUNTU	LINUX MINT
System Requirements	10	10
Installation	10	​10
Interface(Default)	9	​10
Software (Out of the box)	9	10
Software Installation	10	9
Official Spins	10	7
Customization (Default)	8	​10
Performance (Default)	8	10
Upgradeability and Updates	9	8
Support	10	10
TOTAL	93/100	94/100

Ubuntu has a lot going for it but it comes up on top only in 3 categories whilst Linux Mint comes top in 4 categories. Canonical has done a great job at keeping Ubuntu stable and secure. They also try well to keep their official packages as new and updated always. They lay down their own infrastructure (that Mint relies on). They provide a go-to point for transitioning OS users and companies.

But Mint’s desktop and menus are easy to use whilst Ubuntu’s dash can be sort of confusing especially for new users. It’s the gate that ex-Windows users walk through and as such is the most welcoming to such persons. Mint gives more in terms of the pre-installed software but finding and installing software from Ubuntu’s Software Center can be a little easier.

Conclusion

So I’m choosing Mint over Ubuntu, but don’t get me wrong, Ubuntu is awesome once you know what you are about. I do believe Linux Mint in its current state is a wee bit superior to Ubuntu. Mint is possible “Ubuntu done better”. Overall, Linux Mint with Cinnamon feels far more polished than Ubuntu with “Unity like Gnome”.​

So, what do you think? Do you think Ubuntu is better than Mint? Is there stuff I should have talked about? Let us know in the comments.

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