Software Alternatives & Startups

Xubuntu VS GNU/Linux

Compare Xubuntu VS GNU/Linux and see what are their differences

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.

Xubuntu Landing page
Rating
0 reviews
GNU/Linux

Friendly Linux Forum

GNU/Linux Landing page
Rating
0 reviews

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Xubuntu should be more popular than GNU/Linux. It has been mentioned 66 times since March 2021.

social mentions
66 vs 8
Linux popularity
91% vs 9%
alternatives listed
230 vs 71

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Xubuntu
GNU/Linux
Website xubuntu.org linux.org
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Xubuntu 7 features
GNU/Linux 5 features
  • 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

  • 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.
  • Open Source
    GNU/Linux is open-source software, which means its source code is freely available for anyone to inspect, modify, and enhance. This openness promotes transparency, collaboration, and community-driven development.
  • Security
    Linux is renowned for its security features. The open-source nature allows for continuous scrutiny by developers worldwide, leading to quick identification and mitigation of vulnerabilities. Its permission-based system also limits the impact of potential security threats.
  • Stability and Reliability
    Linux systems are known for their stability and reliability, making them a popular choice for servers and critical applications. They can run for extended periods without needing a reboot, even after updates.
  • Customization
    Linux offers extensive customization options, allowing users to tailor the operating system to their needs, from the graphical user interface to system utilities and features, enhancing user experience and efficiency.
  • Cost-Effective
    Linux is generally free to use, reducing licensing costs compared to proprietary operating systems. This makes it an attractive option for individuals and organizations looking to economize on software expenses.

Possible disadvantages

  • Learning Curve
    Linux can have a steep learning curve for new users who are accustomed to more commercial operating systems. Becoming proficient may require time and effort, especially for command-line proficiency.
  • Software Compatibility
    While the range of applications for Linux is growing, some software, particularly specialized or niche commercial products, may not be available or may not run natively on Linux systems.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    Certain hardware components may lack drivers or support for Linux, potentially necessitating workaround solutions or limiting hardware options, particularly with newer or less common devices.
  • Gaming
    Despite significant improvements, Linux is still not the leading platform for gaming. Some games may not be available or may perform differently compared to their Windows counterparts.
  • Support and Documentation
    While Linux has a strong community and vast documentation, official support may not be as straightforward to access compared to commercial operating systems, which can pose challenges for troubleshooting.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Xubuntu
GNU/Linux

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Xubuntu is a good choice for those who need a straightforward, fast-operating system that won't burden older hardware. It successfully combines the reliability of Ubuntu with the lightweight nature of XFCE.

Why this product is good

  • Xubuntu is a lightweight and efficient Linux distribution, ideal for users who seek a balance between performance and visual appeal without the resource demands of full-fledged desktop environments. It's based on Ubuntu, ensuring strong community support and regular updates, and uses the XFCE desktop environment, which is known for its simplicity and speed.

Recommended for

  • Users with older or low-specification hardware
  • Individuals who prefer a clean and uncluttered interface
  • Those seeking a balance of performance and visual appeal
  • Users looking for a dependable system with access to a large library of software

No analysis of GNU/Linux yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Xubuntu 3 videos + Add
GNU/Linux 3 videos + Add

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

Trisquel GNU/Linux 8.0 Install and Review

More videos

  • Review - Namib GNU/Linux First Impression Install and Review
  • Review - Parabola GNU/Linux LXDE Review

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Xubuntu
GNU/Linux
91% 91%
9% 9%
93% 93%
7% 7%
91% 91%
9% 9%
100% 100%
0% 0%

User comments

Share your experience with using Xubuntu and GNU/Linux. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Xubuntu no reviews yet
GNU/Linux no reviews yet

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

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Xubuntu 66 mentions
GNU/Linux 8 mentions
  • Omarcacca
    I wiped and installed xubuntu minimal, I setup the tiling keybinds, installed a few of the packages I needed, it took me 2 hours in total, instead of the days I spent to setup and chisel away crap I did not need out of Omarchy. - Source: dev.to / 8 months ago
  • 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... - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
  • 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 / almost 2 years ago

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  • GrapheneOS in 2027 available on high-end Motorola phones
    > there is no such thing as "mainstream Linux" Yes, there is: https://linux.org. You can have various DE on top of it, but the main functionality depends on the drivers in the mainline Linux, not so much on the DEs. Most of the operating... - Source: Hacker News / 26 days ago
  • DNS static to redirect a website, but I got err_too_many_redirects
    My teacher gave me a task to redirect Mikrotik.co.id to linux.org using DNS static. But I kept getting err_too_many_redirects. I am a newbie at networking stuff. Source: over 3 years ago
  • DNS static to redirect a website, but I got err_too_many_redirects
    Hi, so I must redirect mikrotik.co.id to linux.org using DNS static. I already checked in CMD using the "dig" command that mikrotik.co.id already has linux.org DNS. But, If I browse mikrotik.co.id, I got err_too_many_redirects. Is this... Source: over 3 years ago

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Alternatives to Xubuntu and GNU/Linux

When comparing Xubuntu and GNU/Linux, you can also consider the following products.