Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Linux Mint VS Xubuntu

Compare Linux Mint VS Xubuntu 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.

Xubuntu logo 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.
  • Linux Mint Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-13
  • Xubuntu Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-06-18

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.

Xubuntu features and specs

  • Lightweight
    Xubuntu's use of the Xfce desktop environment ensures it is lightweight and consumes fewer system resources, making it ideal for older or less powerful hardware.
  • User-Friendly
    The interface is intuitive and straightforward, allowing both new and experienced users to navigate and manage the system with ease.
  • Customizability
    Xubuntu offers a high degree of customization, enabling users to tailor the system's look and behavior to their preferences.
  • Stability
    Based on Ubuntu, Xubuntu benefits from a solid and stable foundation, providing a reliable operating system experience.
  • Extensive Software Repository
    Users have access to Ubuntu's extensive software repositories, making it easy to find and install a wide variety of applications.
  • Community Support
    There is a large and active community of users and developers who provide support, documentation, and resources for troubleshooting.
  • Security
    Regular updates and security patches are provided, ensuring that the system remains secure against vulnerabilities.

Possible disadvantages of Xubuntu

  • Limited Out-of-the-Box Features
    Compared to some other desktop environments, Xfce might feel a bit barebones initially, requiring users to customize and install additional software to meet their needs.
  • Not as Polished
    The visual appeal and polish might not be on par with more modern desktop environments like GNOME or KDE, which could be a downside for users who prefer a more aesthetically pleasing interface.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    While generally good, Xubuntu might still encounter hardware compatibility issues with very new or very obscure hardware components.
  • Less Corporate Support
    Unlike Ubuntu, which has substantial backing from Canonical, Xubuntu does not receive the same level of direct corporate support, potentially limiting official resources and development funding.
  • Learning Curve
    For those unfamiliar with Linux or coming from a different desktop environment, there may be a learning curve involved in getting accustomed to Xfce and Xubuntu’s way of doing things.

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

Xubuntu videos

Thoughts on Xubuntu 19.04 - Linux distro review

More videos:

  • Review - Xubuntu 18.04 LTS Review
  • Review - Xubuntu 19.10 Review - Now with XFCE 4.14 Desktop

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Linux Mint and Xubuntu)
Linux
82 82%
18% 18
Linux Distribution
84 84%
16% 16
Operating Systems
82 82%
18% 18
OS & Utilities
53 53%
47% 47

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 Xubuntu

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

Xubuntu Reviews

Best Top 20 Ubuntu Linux Alternatives (Pros and Cons)
Xubuntu is a community-maintained and built with Ubuntu as a base. Instead of Ubuntu’s GNOME desktop environment, Xubuntu uses the Xfce desktop environment. It ‘s goal is a light, stable and configurable desktop environment with conservative workflows.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Linux Mint should be more popular than Xubuntu. It has been mentiond 423 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.

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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Xubuntu mentions (64)

  • One must imagine Sisyphus writing a new JS framework
    You can install a light weight Linux distro (free of course) on almost any old piece of junk with a CPU and you'll get a perfectly good programming machine. - Source: dev.to / 7 months ago
  • Can I run Linux on my old PC ?
    Yeah, for sure you can give It a try! Imo you have to use a lite desktop environment like xfce maybe . You can have a pretty good idea of what can be your experience Just running a live distro like Ubuntu xfceUbuntu xfce or Linux Mint xfce, if you are really desperate you can also try a very very lightweight like puppy linux. I Will try One of the First 2 in live mode and if It runs well you can install It on the... Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Can my computer run linux VM?
    If you still want to try it on a VM, I'd recommend assigning just 1 GB to it, coupled with a lightweight desktop environment, like XFCE (you can use Xubuntu). Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Should I use Ubuntu 16 in 2023?
    To get a modern lightweight Linux experience you can use a recent version of one the Ubuntu flavours that is optimized for low-resource machines: either Xubuntu (with XFCE) or Lubuntu (with LXQt). Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Why does resizing windows in Linux desktop don't feel quite as "snappy" as in other OSes?
    It works just fine for me in Xubuntu (Ubuntu with Xfce Desktop environment : https://xubuntu.org/ ). Source: almost 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

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

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

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.

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.

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

Lubuntu - Lubuntu is a fast and lightweight operating system with a clean and easy-to-use user interface. The core of the system is based on Linux and Ubuntu. Lubuntu uses the minimal desktop LXDE, and a selection of light applications.

Pop!_OS - A developer-focused minimalist Linux distro from System 76