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Linux Mint VS DistroWatch

Compare Linux Mint VS DistroWatch and see what are their differences

Linux Mint logo Linux Mint

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

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.
  • Linux Mint Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-13
  • DistroWatch Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-01-26

Linux Mint features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Linux Mint offers a user-friendly interface that is often considered intuitive and easy to use, especially for users who are transitioning from Windows. The desktop environment (Cinnamon, MATE, and Xfce) closely mimics the traditional Windows UI.
  • Low Hardware Requirements
    Linux Mint can run efficiently on older or less powerful hardware, making it an excellent choice for extending the life of older computers.
  • Software Manager
    The built-in Software Manager provides an easy way to install, update, and remove software. It features a large repository of applications that are easy to browse.
  • Community Support
    Linux Mint has a strong and active community that provides ample support and documentation, which can be very helpful for troubleshooting and learning.
  • Pre-installed Software
    It comes with a wide array of pre-installed software, including productivity tools, multimedia applications, and system utilities, which means users can start working immediately after installation.
  • Security and Privacy
    Linux Mint offers better security and privacy compared to many other mainstream operating systems, thanks to its Linux base and the ability to control updates and software installations.

Possible disadvantages of Linux Mint

  • Learning Curve
    While Linux Mint is user-friendly, those new to Linux may still face a learning curve, particularly when it comes to using the command line for more advanced tasks.
  • Limited Professional Software
    Some professional-grade software, particularly in areas like graphic design, video editing, and certain professional services, may not be available or may require workarounds to install and run.
  • Gaming
    Despite improvements, gaming on Linux Mint is not as seamless as on Windows. A smaller library of available games and potential compatibility issues may deter gamers.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    Although Linux Mint is compatible with a wide range of hardware, there are instances where users might encounter driver issues or lack of support for certain peripheral devices.
  • Less Frequent Updates
    The release cycle of Linux Mint is slower compared to some other distributions, which means it may take longer for users to receive the latest features and updates.
  • Software Ecosystem
    While Linux Mint has a substantial array of applications available, it doesn’t quite match the breadth and depth of software available for Windows or macOS. Some software may need to run via compatibility layers like Wine.

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.

Analysis of Linux Mint

Overall verdict

  • Linux Mint is considered a solid choice for both beginners transitioning from other operating systems and experienced users looking for a stable and reliable Linux distribution. Its ease of use, extensive documentation, and active community support make it a favorable option.

Why this product is good

  • Linux Mint is often praised for its user-friendly interface, stability, and compatibility with a wide range of hardware. It's based on Ubuntu, which means it benefits from a vast community and extensive software repositories. Users appreciate its Cinnamon desktop environment for being intuitive and similar to the traditional Windows layout, making it approachable for those new to Linux.

Recommended for

  • New users looking to transition from Windows or macOS
  • Users seeking a stable and reliable everyday operating system
  • Developers and tech enthusiasts who appreciate customization potential
  • Users with older hardware who need a lightweight yet capable OS

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.

Linux Mint videos

Reviewed: Linux Mint 19.3 "Tricia" (Cinnamon Edition)

More videos:

  • Review - Linux Mint 19.2 "Tina" Review (Cinnamon Edition)
  • Review - Feature Complete? - Linux Mint 19.1 Review

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!

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Linux Mint and DistroWatch)
Linux
78 78%
22% 22
Linux Distribution
83 83%
17% 17
Operating Systems
83 83%
17% 17
OS & Utilities
38 38%
62% 62

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Linux Mint and DistroWatch

Linux Mint Reviews

  1. Best linux distro

    i have used about 2years linux mint and i really like it look and feel

    🏁 Competitors: Ubuntu, Windows 10
    👍 Pros:    Easy to use|Easy user interface|Easy customizability|Secure
    👎 Cons:    Slow

10 Most Popular Linux Distros of the Year 2023
For most of the Desktop users who move from Windows to Linux, their first preference would be the popular Mint. It is because of the user-friendly Cinnamon interface and out-of-the-box multimedia support. Also, it is based on Ubuntu, although Debian Linux Mint is also available, still the Ubuntu derived Mint is more common among the users. You will have Software Manager to...
The 5 Best Privacy-Focused Operating Systems
Linux Mint is a popular Linux distribution known for its user-friendliness. You can configure Linux Mint to enhance your privacy, and, when combined with the Cinnamon desktop environment, it offers a smooth and familiar user experience. As with any Linux distribution, Linux Mint offers open source code, but also comes with antivirus capabilities, making it easier for you to...
12 Best Linux Distros You Should Use
Linux Mint has established itself as one of the best distros for beginner Linux users, thanks to Cinnamon’s simplicity (Linux Mint’s desktop environment) and ease of use. It’s an Ubuntu-based operating system that’s good for day-to-day usage and gaming. The Windows-like feel of Mint makes users switching from Windows feel at home and is one of the main selling points of the...
Source: beebom.com
Finding the Best Linux Distro for Your Organization
Debian is known for its commitment to open source principles, stability, and extensive package management system. It serves as the foundation for various other Linux distros such as Ubuntu and Linux Mint. Debian is widely used in both desktop and server environments.
The best Linux distributions (operating systems)
Linux Mint is also based on Ubuntu and is now an established alternative. The operating system is based on specially designed desktop environments and comes with important software pre-installed. The system is considered stable and user-friendly. Hardware support, useful security tools, and a practical file manager are available. For (former) Windows users, Linux Mint is...
Source: www.ionos.com

DistroWatch Reviews

We have no reviews of DistroWatch yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Linux Mint might be a bit more popular than DistroWatch. We know about 423 links to it since March 2021 and only 285 links to DistroWatch. 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.

Linux Mint mentions (423)

  • 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
  • Windows 10 support doesn't end in 2025 after all, if you pay up
    I'm partial to Linux Mint myself, but at this point, if you're not running some Windows specific software, there's less and less reason to use it every year. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Introduction
    My first Linux distro was PopOS and It was a refreshing experience. It was really easy to install, use, and game on. I distro hopped a few times to see what other linux flavors are like. These are the ones that I remember trying Zorin OS and Linux Mint. These ones looked mostly like windows and it was easy to use. At work, I gained most of my linux knowledge from docker and configuring / administrating RHEL... - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • is linuxmint.com down?
    I cant access the site , is linuxmint.com down ? Source: over 1 year ago
  • Why Linux Mint is the best Linux distribution
    If you have been reading some of the articles on my blog, you will have seen that I often talk about macOS or the Mac Mini. And this is because this is the preferred machine that I use for the development of multiplatform apps, however, my main operating system, the one I use "by default", the one I use for personal and professional management, the one I use for my tech experiments, is, and has been for the past... - Source: dev.to / almost 2 years ago
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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 / 14 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 / 12 months 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
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Linux Mint and DistroWatch, you can also consider the following products

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

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

Fedora - Fedora creates an innovative, free, and open source platform for hardware, clouds, and containers that enables software developers and community members to build tailored solutions for their users.

Manjaro - Manjaro Linux is a linux distribution which is based on arch linux. It uses the PACMAN package manager.

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.