Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

DistroWatch VS Ubuntu MATE

Compare DistroWatch VS Ubuntu MATE and see what are their differences

DistroWatch logo DistroWatch

9 hours ago - It does include a proprietary software set optimized for business users, students, researchers and developers." A list of features and further details can be found in the company's release announcement.

Ubuntu MATE logo Ubuntu MATE

We are delighted to provide a ready-to-run image for the Raspberry Pi 2 and Raspberry Pi 3.
  • DistroWatch Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-01-26
  • Ubuntu MATE Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-12-18

DistroWatch features and specs

  • Comprehensive Database
    DistroWatch provides a thorough list of active Linux distributions, which is helpful for users seeking to explore various options and find the right one for their needs.
  • Distribution Popularity Ranking
    The site features a page hit ranking system that gives an indication of the popularity of distributions, which can guide users toward more widely supported and updated options.
  • News and Updates
    Regularly updated news and release announcements keep users informed about the latest developments in the Linux and open-source software world.
  • Reviews and Summaries
    DistroWatch offers reviews and summaries for many distributions, providing insights into their strengths and weaknesses without needing to test each one individually.
  • User Resources
    The site includes links to official distribution sites, download mirrors, forums, and documentation, making it easier for users to find support and further information.

Possible disadvantages of DistroWatch

  • Popularity Metrics Limitations
    The page hit ranking may not accurately reflect a distribution's true popularity or quality, as it only counts page visits rather than usage metrics.
  • Overwhelming for Beginners
    Newcomers to Linux might find the vast array of distributions and information overwhelming and challenging to navigate without guidance.
  • Community-Driven Content
    Information and reviews on DistroWatch largely rely on community contributions, which can lead to variability in the quality and reliability of the content.
  • Niche Focus
    While DistroWatch is highly valuable for Linux enthusiasts, it has limited appeal to users not interested in open-source operating systems, narrowing its audience.
  • Outdated Information Risk
    Some distribution pages might not be frequently updated, leading to potential issues with outdated information or dead links.

Ubuntu MATE features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Ubuntu MATE provides a simple and intuitive desktop environment, making it accessible for both new and experienced users. The MATE Desktop Environment is well-organized, offering a traditional and familiar desktop layout.
  • Lightweight and Efficient
    The operating system is designed to be lightweight, which translates to lower resource usage compared to other desktop environments. This makes Ubuntu MATE an excellent choice for older hardware or systems with limited resources.
  • Customizability
    Users have a wide range of customization options for tweaking the appearance and behavior of the desktop environment. This includes changing themes, layouts, and panel configurations easily.
  • Active Community and Support
    Ubuntu MATE benefits from a vibrant community and a strong support network, offering numerous resources like forums, documentation, and tutorials. Users can easily find help and guidance for any issues they encounter.
  • Software Compatibility
    Being based on Ubuntu, Ubuntu MATE is compatible with a vast range of software and applications available through the Ubuntu repositories and PPAs (Personal Package Archives).
  • Regular Updates
    Ubuntu MATE receives regular updates and security patches, ensuring that the system remains secure and up-to-date with the latest features and improvements.
  • Long-Term Support (LTS) Versions
    LTS versions of Ubuntu MATE offer extended support and stability, making them an ideal choice for users who need a reliable and long-lasting operating system.

Possible disadvantages of Ubuntu MATE

  • Less Modern Appearance
    The MATE desktop environment, while functional, may seem outdated or less visually appealing compared to more modern desktop environments like GNOME or KDE Plasma.
  • Limited Advanced Features
    Being focused on simplicity and efficiency, Ubuntu MATE lacks some of the advanced features and eye-candy that are available in other desktop environments. Users looking for cutting-edge features may find it lacking.
  • Software Bloat
    Like other Ubuntu flavors, Ubuntu MATE comes with a pre-installed selection of applications that may not be necessary for all users. This can result in perceived software bloat.
  • Learning Curve for Customization
    While the desktop environment is customizable, new users might find the customization options overwhelming or difficult to navigate initially, requiring some time to learn how to effectively personalize the system.
  • Hardware Compatibility Issues
    Although rare, some users may experience hardware compatibility issues with certain devices or components, particularly with very new or niche hardware.
  • Default Applications
    The default selection of applications may not satisfy all users, requiring additional effort to install preferred alternatives. Some users might find the default applications less polished compared to alternatives.

Analysis of DistroWatch

Overall verdict

  • DistroWatch is generally considered a good resource for users interested in exploring the diverse world of Linux distributions. Its comprehensive database and news updates make it valuable for both new and experienced Linux users. However, the site should be used as a starting point for research, and users are encouraged to seek multiple sources to fully understand the strengths and weaknesses of each distribution.

Why this product is good

  • DistroWatch is a well-known website for tracking the popularity, releases, and news related to Linux distributions and other open-source operating systems. It provides insights into various Linux distributions, helping users make informed decisions about which distro might suit their needs. Additionally, it offers reviews, detailed information about each distribution, and a ranking system based on page hits, which can be indicative of a distribution's popularity or current interest levels.

Recommended for

    DistroWatch is recommended for anyone interested in learning about and comparing different Linux distributions, including newcomers to Linux, system administrators, hobbyists, and open-source enthusiasts. It is particularly useful for those who want to stay updated on new releases and trends within the Linux community.

DistroWatch videos

Measuring Distro Popularity And Why Distrowatch's Page Hit Rankings Suck.

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to Choose Your Linux Distribution - Distrowatch.com
  • Review - Let's talk Distrowatch!

Ubuntu MATE videos

Ubuntu MATE 20.04 Review - Best of the Ubuntu Derivatives

More videos:

  • Review - Ubuntu MATE 20.04 Review: MATE Has Never Been This Better
  • Review - Ubuntu MATE 19.10 Review - Fast, Functional & Fun?

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to DistroWatch and Ubuntu MATE)
Linux
75 75%
25% 25
Operating Systems
68 68%
32% 32
Linux Distribution
71 71%
29% 29
OS & Utilities
91 91%
9% 9

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, DistroWatch should be more popular than Ubuntu MATE. It has been mentiond 285 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

DistroWatch mentions (285)

  • By Default, Signal Doesn't Recall
    Maybe not, but also polishing of the Linux desktop has happened regardless of this. In fact, it is what drove SteamOS. Please refer to the items on [1] as literally the top 8 distros were developed for this explicit purpose (making Linux more user friendly). [0] We can determine it to be true or false. [1] https://distrowatch.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 16 days ago
  • Practical Guide to Switching to Linux
    This, but here are some things I've learned to do: * Use a .local directory under my home directory instead of ~/bin. That's a great prefix when installing from source or tarball at the user level, keeps the top-level of the home directory from getting cluttered with /share /lib /include /etc /lib etc. etc. * Reach for the package manager first when installing new software, unless there is a good reason not to. It... - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • Warm Welcome to Linux P2
    Picking a starting distro is like playing a game, it does not take long for us to stay in our starting town. With various informative sites like DistroWatch, and even a testing site like distro test, our options are endless. Beginners should not get too hung up on deciding which game they want to play as there are tons available. Sooner or later in life, some even leave their starting towns, and even their countries. - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
  • Warm Welcome to Linux
    The common sense I advocate mainly revolves around DistroWatch. High ranking distributions (indicated by the hits per day chart) are generally more favorable for many reasons; stability, support, user-friendliness, friendliness of other users and so on. Over the past few years, I have usually recommended the three major M named distros; Mint, Manjaro, and MX. They have had high favorability over the past decade. A... - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
  • Linux Distros: Ubuntu and Manjaro Fall Further into Oblivion – February 2024
    The broken headline (should say Linux Gaming Distros) reminded me of DistroWatch's value to the community, aside from its unusual ranking system: https://distrowatch.com/. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
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Ubuntu MATE mentions (43)

  • best Distro for Noob
    When I started out, I used red hat, Suse linux, and then finally I jumped to Ubuntu, when they killed gnome and rolled out their new GUI later, I switched to Ubuntu Mate, with xfce alternatively installed. And then later came MINT. Which is based on ubuntu anyway. Source: over 1 year ago
  • New monitor and VGA cable smudges/ghosting
    Prepare a blank USB stick with a copy of Ubuntu (write the ISO to the USB stick with Rufus). Source: over 1 year ago
  • Reviving an old machine for gaming
    Ubuntu MATE (simple, well maintained, has the Ubuntu ecosystem support and should work well). Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Who needs Ubuntu when you have MATE
    Linux Mint has its advantages, but your title doesn't make sense when there's Ubuntu MATE. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Fail To Download on Old Windows Vista PC
    (btw: since the PC is older I would reccommend Ubuntu Mate or Xubuntu as those come with a lighter Desktop). Source: about 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing DistroWatch and Ubuntu MATE, you can also consider the following products

Linux Mint - Linux Mint is one of the most popular desktop Linux distributions and used by millions of people.

SUSE Studio - Modernisieren Sie Ihre Infrastruktur mit SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, OpenStack Cloud-Technologie für IAAS und softwaredefiniertem Storage von SUSE.

Xubuntu - Xubuntu – Xubuntu is an elegant and easy-to-use operating system. Download XubuntuXubuntu – Xubuntu is an elegant and easy-to-use operating system. Feature Tour.

Puppy Linux - Home, overview and getting started with Puppy Linux, amazingly fast, fascinatingly complete and delightfully small Linux.‎Wiki · ‎Download latest Puppy Linux .

Arch Linux - You've reached the website for Arch Linux, a lightweight and flexible Linux® distribution that tries to Keep It Simple. Currently we have official packages optimized for the x86-64 architecture.

Ubuntu - Ubuntu is a Debian Linux-based open source operating system for desktop computers.