Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Puppy Linux VS Ubuntu MATE

Compare Puppy Linux VS Ubuntu MATE and see what are their differences

Puppy Linux logo Puppy Linux

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

Ubuntu MATE logo Ubuntu MATE

We are delighted to provide a ready-to-run image for the Raspberry Pi 2 and Raspberry Pi 3.
  • Puppy Linux Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-29
  • Ubuntu MATE Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-12-18

Puppy Linux features and specs

  • Lightweight
    Puppy Linux is extremely lightweight, allowing it to run on older hardware with limited resources efficiently.
  • Fast Boot
    It has a rapid boot time, getting you up and running much quicker than many other operating systems.
  • User-Friendly
    The user-friendly interface makes it easy for beginners to navigate and perform basic tasks.
  • Portable
    Designed to run from USB drives or CDs/DVDs, making it very portable and ideal for troubleshooting multiple systems.
  • Minimal Resource Usage
    It requires minimal system resources, allowing it to run efficiently with a low memory and CPU footprint.
  • Customizability
    Puppy Linux offers high customizability, letting users tweak the system extensively to fit their specific needs.
  • Community Support
    It has a strong community with forums and resources to help users troubleshoot and customize their setups.

Possible disadvantages of Puppy Linux

  • Limited Software Repository
    Puppy Linux has a smaller software repository compared to mainstream distributions like Ubuntu, limiting available applications.
  • Not Suitable for Modern Gaming
    Due to its lightweight nature and limited software support, it is not ideal for modern gaming or resource-intensive applications.
  • Old Kernel
    Sometimes, it uses older Linux kernels, which might lack support for modern hardware and features.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, new users may still encounter a learning curve, especially when performing more advanced tasks.
  • Manual Updates
    Unlike some distributions that offer automated updates, updating Puppy Linux can require manual intervention and knowledge.
  • Less Security Features
    Due to its lightweight design, it may lack some of the advanced security features available in other distributions.

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 Puppy Linux

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Puppy Linux is considered a good operating system, especially for users with older or limited hardware who need a fast and resource-efficient solution.

Why this product is good

  • Puppy Linux is praised for its lightweight nature and ability to run on older hardware with limited resources. It boasts a small footprint, fast performance, and the capability to run entirely from RAM, providing quick boot times and a responsive experience. Being community-driven, it offers a variety of derivatives to cater to specific needs and preferences.

Recommended for

  • Users with aging computers seeking to revive their hardware.
  • Individuals looking for a fast and minimalist Linux experience.
  • Users who need a portable OS that can run entirely from USB or CD.
  • Linux enthusiasts interested in exploring different lightweight distributions.

Puppy Linux videos

Puppy Linux 8..Pup Is Now Bionic..!!

More videos:

  • Review - Underrated Distros - Puppy Linux Bionic Pup
  • Review - Puppy Linux 8 Bionic Pup 64...How Many Cores.!!!!!!!!
  • Review - Puppy Linux Review - The Best Linux Distro For Old Hardware!
  • Review - Puppy Linux Install and Review
  • Review - An everyday user review of Linux Lite OS and Puppy Linux!?

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 Puppy Linux and Ubuntu MATE)
Linux
50 50%
50% 50
Operating Systems
48 48%
52% 52
Linux Distribution
50 50%
50% 50
OS & Utilities
85 85%
15% 15

User comments

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Reviews

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

Puppy Linux Reviews

Top 9 Fastest Linux Distros in 2024
Thank you for your kind words! Considering the limited resources on your Acer Aspire One AOD 256 with 1 GB RAM, you’re already on the right track with lightweight distros. If you’re looking for an alternative to Slitaz with more up-to-date software, I’d recommend trying out Puppy Linux or Tiny Core Linux. Both are lightweight and can be customized to your preferences....
Source: linuxsimply.com
Best Top 20 Ubuntu Linux Alternatives (Pros and Cons)
Puppy Linux is an easy-to-use and memory-efficient Linux distribution with it’s entire system can be run from RAM, with current versions taking up around 600 MB (64-bit) and 300 MB (32-bit). Included are AbiWord, Gnumeric, MPlayer, several lightweight web browsers, and a utility for downloading other packages.
Best Linux distros of 2021 for beginners, mainstream and advanced users
Puppy Linux is one of our favorite distros for resurrecting old machines and putting them back into active duty. The project is in fact a family of distros, each based on a different underlying distro. For instance, there’s one based on Ubuntu and another based on Slackware.

Ubuntu MATE Reviews

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

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Ubuntu MATE seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 43 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.

Puppy Linux mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Puppy Linux yet. Tracking of Puppy Linux recommendations started around Mar 2021.

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 Puppy Linux and Ubuntu MATE, you can also consider the following products

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.