Top 9 Best Linux Distributions for Beginners [2021]

Aquil Roshan

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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:

• Best Linux distributions for Windows users

• Best lightweight Linux distros
• Best Linux distributions for hacking
• Best Linux distributions for gaming
• Best Linux distributions for privacy and anonymity
• Best Linux distributions that look like MacOS

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

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
 • macOS inspired user interface
• Focuses on rich user experience
• Easy to use

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
 • Windows-like user interface
• Tailored as a lightweight Linux distribution
• Easy to use

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
 • Lightweight Linux distribution
• Easy to use and simple
• Ability to use web apps in the form of local apps

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
 • Eye-candy visuals
• Rich user experience
• Easy to use

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!