Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Ubuntu Server VS Ubuntu

Compare Ubuntu Server VS Ubuntu and see what are their differences

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Ubuntu Server logo Ubuntu Server

Secure, fast and economically scalable, Ubuntu helps you make the most of your infrastructure. Whether you want to deploy a cloud or a web farm, Ubuntu Server supports the most popular hardware and software.

Ubuntu logo Ubuntu

Ubuntu is a Debian Linux-based open source operating system for desktop computers.
  • Ubuntu Server Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-11-03
  • Ubuntu Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-12

Ubuntu Server features and specs

  • Open Source
    Ubuntu Server is open source, which means it is free to use, modify, and distribute. This can lead to cost savings and flexibility for custom deployments.
  • Strong Community Support
    It has a large and active community that offers extensive support, documentation, and a wealth of forums and tutorials to solve issues or gain more information.
  • Robust Security
    Ubuntu Server provides strong security features, including regular updates and patches, security advisories, and the Uncomplicated Firewall (UFW) for easier network protection.
  • Compatibility
    Ubuntu Server is compatible with most major hardware and virtualization platforms, making it easier to implement in various environments.
  • Regular Releases
    Canonically delivers both Long Term Support (LTS) and interim releases, keeping the server up-to-date with the latest features and enhancements.

Possible disadvantages of Ubuntu Server

  • Complexity for Beginners
    Linux-based systems, like Ubuntu Server, can be more complex and challenging for users who are unfamiliar with command-line interfaces or system administration tasks.
  • Limited Commercial Support
    While there is a community, direct commercial support is not as extensive as more traditional OS vendors unless you opt for premium services from Canonical.
  • Software Compatibility
    Not all proprietary software is available for Linux systems, which may require alternatives or additional compatibility layers.
  • Hardware Compatibility Issues
    Some hardware might not have drivers available for Linux, potentially leading to additional configurations or incompatibility.
  • Resource Intensive for Newer Releases
    While generally efficient, newer releases can sometimes demand increased resources, potentially affecting performance on older hardware.

Ubuntu features and specs

  • Open Source
    Ubuntu is an open-source operating system, meaning it's free to use, distribute, and modify. This allows users to customize their system to their liking and contributes to a large community of developers constantly improving the system.
  • Security
    Ubuntu places significant emphasis on security, providing regular updates and including a built-in firewall and virus protection. Its Unix-based kernel design adds an additional layer of security.
  • User-Friendly
    Ubuntu is designed to be user-friendly with an intuitive interface, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced users. The Ubuntu Software Center simplifies the installation of applications.
  • Community Support
    An active and vast community of users and developers helps to solve issues and improve the OS. There are numerous forums, guides, and documentation available.
  • Performance
    Ubuntu tends to have better performance than some other operating systems on older hardware. It is less resource-intensive, leading to faster performance on a range of devices.

Possible disadvantages of Ubuntu

  • Software Compatibility
    Some software and applications, particularly those designed for Windows or macOS, may not be available or fully compatible with Ubuntu. Users might need to find alternatives or use compatibility layers like Wine.
  • Gaming
    While gaming on Linux, including Ubuntu, has improved, it still lags behind Windows in terms of the availability and performance of games. Many popular titles do not have native Linux support.
  • Learning Curve
    Although user-friendly, transitioning to Ubuntu from another OS can involve a learning curve, especially for users unfamiliar with Linux commands and terminal operations.
  • Driver Support
    Users might face issues with hardware compatibility, as some device manufacturers do not provide Linux drivers. This can affect peripherals like printers, graphics cards, and network adapters.
  • Professional Software
    Certain professional-grade software in fields like video editing, graphic design, or specialized industry applications may not have Linux versions or equivalents. Professionals might need to dual-boot or use another OS for specific tasks.

Analysis of Ubuntu

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Ubuntu is generally considered a good operating system, particularly for those seeking a cost-effective, robust, and secure alternative to other operating systems like Windows or macOS.

Why this product is good

  • Ubuntu is a popular Linux distribution known for its user-friendliness, stability, and strong community support. It is a free open-source operating system that regularly receives updates and security patches, contributing to its reliability. Additionally, Ubuntu offers extensive documentation, making it accessible for beginners and versatile enough for advanced users.

Recommended for

  • Beginners looking to explore Linux due to its user-friendly graphical interface.
  • Developers and IT professionals preferring a stable and open-source environment.
  • Individuals and organizations seeking a secure OS for servers and cloud computing.
  • Users who require software tools available on a Linux platform and prefer regular updates.
  • Students and researchers needing access to scientific and development tools.

Ubuntu Server videos

Differences: Ubuntu Desktop vs. Ubuntu Server

Ubuntu videos

Ubuntu 19.10 Review | The Best GNOME Desktop, Yet?

More videos:

  • Review - Review: Ubuntu 19.10 "Eoan Ermine"
  • Review - Ubuntu 19.04, My Review (And Why Most Users Should Avoid It)
  • Review - Ubuntu 24.04: An Excellent Linux Distro
  • Review - Ubuntu's Decline
  • Review - Ubuntu 24.04 Review: Why It's Time to Change Ubuntu's Release Cycle

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Ubuntu Server and Ubuntu)
Cloud Computing
100 100%
0% 0
Linux
0 0%
100% 100
Cloud Storage
100 100%
0% 0
Operating Systems
1 1%
99% 99

User comments

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Reviews

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

Ubuntu Server Reviews

13 Best XAMPP Alternatives
Ubuntu Server is a version of Ubuntu that’s ready to run right out of the box. Unlike other operating systems, Ubuntu isn’t meant to be installed on your computer and left alone. Instead, it was designed to be a server, meaning it’s ready for someone who knows how servers work—and how they’re different from your home computer—to set up and use immediately.
Source: thetechtian.com
Best Linux distros of 2021 for beginners, mainstream and advanced users
In some aspects, the Ubuntu Server edition is just as popular as the desktop version. Ubuntu produces both LTS and non-LTS releases of the server just as with the desktop.

Ubuntu Reviews

Top 9 Fastest Linux Distros in 2024
Ubuntu and Mint are both based on Debian and share many similarities. However, some differences may impact performances in certain use cases. For example, Ubuntu tends to be more resource-heavy than Mint, especially the GNOME desktop environment, on the other hand, is known for its lightweight Cinnamon desktop environment, which can be more responsive & faster.
Source: linuxsimply.com
10 Most Popular Linux Distros of the Year 2023
Ubuntu also has some lightweight games like chess and Sudoku. GNOME Files, formerly known as Nautilus, is the default file manager. It is recognized for its strong community support, regular releases, and focus on user experience. There are several Ubuntu flavors available as well per the demand of users such as Ubuntu Studio for users who need the best multimedia-supported...
12 Best Linux Distros You Should Use
Ubuntu uses Snaps for package management, and the latter is the reason the Linux community has started repelling it. They completely dropped out-of-the-box support for Flatpaks, as we mentioned in our Ubuntu 23.04 features list. Although it’s a good starting point for a complete beginner, we would argue there are better Linux distros to try than Ubuntu.
Source: beebom.com
Finding the Best Linux Distro for Your Organization
Based on the open source Ubuntu community, Canonical provides commercial support and services for Ubuntu Enterprise deployments. Ubuntu Enterprise is known for its ease of use, regular updates, and compatibility with cloud environments. Commercial versions include Ubuntu Desktop, Ubuntu Server, Ubuntu for IoT, and Ubuntu Cloud -- all optimized versions for their...
The best Linux distributions (operating systems)
Around since 2004, Ubuntu is a classic Linux distribution. The operating system is aimed at different user groups and simplifies the first steps for beginners. On the one hand, Ubuntu is customizable, but also offers numerous technical tools to simplify installation and configuration. Many programs are pre-installed, and additional packages can be conveniently added. Ubuntu...
Source: www.ionos.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Ubuntu seems to be a lot more popular than Ubuntu Server. While we know about 237 links to Ubuntu, we've tracked only 3 mentions of Ubuntu Server. 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.

Ubuntu Server mentions (3)

  • IoT in September: a recap
    [ASUS IoT](https://iot.asus.com/) is a provider of embedded systems and AIoT hardware solutions. Notable among those is their [PE100A](https://iot.asus.com/products/intelligent-edge-computer/PE100A/) device, an edge computer featuring an i.MX 8M scalable SoC processor for low power consumption. The [PE100A](https://iot.asus.com/products/intelligent-edge-computer/PE100A/) is the first NXP i.MX8 Canonical... Source: over 2 years ago
  • Your Old Laptop Is Your New Database Server
    It looked like a good candidate for an always-available server; a machine that I could connect to at any time and install any kind of server software that I could need when developing apps. In times of Docker containers, configuring a machine to run server software is extremely easy. In this article, I’ll show you how to take advantage of that old laptop by installing Ubuntu Server, Docker, and a MariaDB database... - Source: dev.to / almost 3 years ago
  • Hosting Multiple ASP.NET Core Apps in Ubuntu Linux Server Using Apache
    ASP.NET Core is a cross-platform web development framework that supports developing applications on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android platforms. Hosting an ASP.NET Core application in Linux is complicated when compared to hosting one in Windows. In this article, I will explain how to easily host multiple ASP.NET Core apps in Ubuntu Linux server with Apache as a reverse proxy server. - Source: dev.to / almost 4 years ago

Ubuntu mentions (237)

  • I Installed Omakub Five Times So You Can Do It Just Once
    Linux is a great system. Ubuntu is a fantastic distribution to start with because of its ease to install and setup. It's also intuitive and easy to use, especially when coming from Windows or MacOS. It is a free (as in speech) and open-source system that keeps you out of the grips of Microsoft or Apple. In particular, it's great for developers and especially for web development -- since your web app is likely also... - Source: dev.to / about 1 month ago
  • How to Check PC Specs without Logging into Windows 11?
    For a quick and easy process, I am using Puppy Linux, an extremely light-weight Linux Distribution. I will download the latest Puppy Linux ISO File (I am going with Slackware Base S15Pup64 as it is lighter) and then create a bootable USB using Rufus. If you want a safe and hassle-free process, you can stick with Ubuntu Distribution. - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
  • Top 33 Ubuntu Linux Commands Every User Should Know (with Outputs)
    User@ubuntu:~ $ curl http://ubuntu.com User@ubuntu:~ $ curl -X POST -H "Content-Type: application/json" -d '{"name": "user", "age": 30}' http://example.com/api # -X POST: Specifies the request type as POST. # -H: Sets the request header, here specifying JSON content. # -d: Sends data with the request. User@ubuntu:~ $ curl -u username:password -O http://example.com/protectedfile.zip. - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago
  • How to Get Started with Bash Scripting for Automation
    Install a Linux distribution: Ubuntu, CentOS, or any preferred distro. - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago
  • How to use WSL 2 to Install Ubuntu on Windows 11?
    The system will list all the available Linux Distros. Popular Distros including but not limited to Ubuntu, Debian, openSUSE, SUSE Linux Enterprise and more will be displayed. Choose your distro accordingly. In this article, I am going to Install Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (Long Term Support). - Source: dev.to / 6 months ago
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What are some alternatives?

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

OpenMediaVault - OpenMediaVault is the next generation network attached storage (NAS) solution based on Debian Linux.

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

NethServer - NethServer is an operating system for Linux enthusiasts, designed for small offices and medium...

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.

Zentyal - Linux directory, domain, mail, gateway and infrastructure server for SMBs.

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.