Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Ubuntu VS GNU+Linux

Compare Ubuntu VS GNU+Linux and see what are their differences

Ubuntu logo Ubuntu

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

GNU+Linux logo GNU+Linux

All Linux distributions with a GNU userland
  • Ubuntu Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-12
  • GNU+Linux Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-11

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.

GNU+Linux features and specs

  • Open Source
    GNU+Linux is an open-source operating system, which means its source code is freely available for anyone to inspect, modify, and distribute. This fosters a collaborative development environment and enhances security through transparency.
  • Customizability
    Linux offers extensive customizability, allowing users to modify the system to meet their specific needs. This includes choosing from a variety of desktop environments, window managers, and software packages.
  • Security
    Linux is known for its strong security features. Its permissions-based structure, along with a strong community of developers and frequent updates, helps in quickly patching vulnerabilities.
  • Stability and Performance
    Many Linux distributions are lauded for their stability and efficiency, making them ideal for servers and systems that require high uptime and performance.
  • Wide Range of Distributions
    There is a large variety of Linux distributions available, each tailored for different needs, from user-friendly options like Ubuntu to lightweight versions like Puppy Linux.
  • Cost
    Linux is free to use, which makes it an attractive option for individuals and organizations looking to reduce software costs.
  • Community Support
    Linux has a vast and active community of users and developers who provide support through forums, mailing lists, and documentation.

Possible disadvantages of GNU+Linux

  • Learning Curve
    For users accustomed to Windows or macOS, the transition to Linux can involve a steep learning curve, especially when dealing with command-line interfaces and different file system structures.
  • Software Compatibility
    Some proprietary software and games are not natively supported on Linux, requiring alternatives or compatibility layers like Wine to run them.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    While Linux support for hardware has improved significantly, there can still be issues with drivers for certain proprietary hardware, particularly with newer or niche devices.
  • Fragmentation
    The large number of distributions and desktop environments can lead to fragmentation, making it challenging for developers to ensure compatibility across all versions and for users to choose the right distribution.
  • Limited Professional Support
    While community support is extensive, professional support options can be limited compared to those available for other operating systems like Windows and macOS, although companies like Red Hat and Canonical do offer professional support.

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 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

GNU+Linux videos

No GNU+Linux videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Ubuntu and GNU+Linux)
Linux
98 98%
2% 2
Operating Systems
98 98%
2% 2
Linux Distribution
97 97%
3% 3
Open Source
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using Ubuntu and GNU+Linux. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

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

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 itโ€™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

GNU+Linux Reviews

We have no reviews of GNU+Linux yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Ubuntu seems to be a lot more popular than GNU+Linux. While we know about 239 links to Ubuntu, we've tracked only 16 mentions of GNU+Linux. 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 mentions (239)

  • DevOps Setting
    I'm currently operating and developing on an International Business Machines (IBM) LeNovo ThinkPad in a GNU Not GNU (GNU) / Free Libre UNipleXed Information X11 Computing System (Linux) XForms Common Environment (XFCE) based Ubuntu (Xubuntu) distro with only free libre open source software (FLOSS) under combined open source licenses and ethical source licenses, specially the Do No Harm Hippocratical License and... - Source: dev.to / about 2 months ago
  • How to Change Hostname on Linux
    This is the modern and recommended way to change the hostname on most of the Linux distributions like Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, CentOS, and RHEL. - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago
  • 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 / 5 months 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 / 7 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 / 9 months ago
View more

GNU+Linux mentions (16)

  • Newbie advice 1
    Familiarize yourself with the search page and the many categories you cans search by. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Installing Debian bookworm without systemd
    Distrowatch's Advanced Search page: https://distrowatch.com/search.php#advanced Note that under the "Init Software" section (scroll down on page), the following two choices (amongst numerous others, perhaps too many!) are included: [ ] systemd [ ] Not systemd In other words, here, the User, regardless of their opinion, regardless of their political ideology (or lack thereof!) -- has a happy choice! They can choose... - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • Debian 12 โ€œBookwormโ€ Released
    Do it, and tell the world how I mistreated all kinds of interesting (but small) projects, if it makes you feel better. :-D Here a list of almost all the OS distris I've left out: https://distrowatch.com/search.php?ostype=All&category=All&origin=All&basedon=Independentยฌbasedon=None&desktop=All&architecture=All&package=All&rolling=All&isosize=All&netinstall=All&language=All&defaultinit=All&status=Active#simple... - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • Trying to figure out which Linux all ideas are welcome. Distro hopping.
    Distrowatch can help you search for distros based on another distro (eg: Debian derivatives if you really like Debian), or a particular version of a package or desktop (eg: latest XFCE 4.18): https://distrowatch.com/search.php. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Linux mint isn't working for me. What distribution can I use for a pretty bad laptop. (Specs below)
    You can search for more ideas on DistroWatch: https://distrowatch.com/search.php. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Ubuntu and GNU+Linux, 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.

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.

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

Haiku - Haiku is an open source OS catered specifically to the needs of personal computing.

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.

Twister OS - A Debian based OS with a ton of useful apps like Box86 and Steam, and theme switching to look like Windows, MacOS, and many more.