Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Zorin OS VS Xubuntu

Compare Zorin OS VS Xubuntu and see what are their differences

Zorin OS logo Zorin OS

A powerful operating system designed to make your computer faster, more secure and easier to use. DownloadDownload Lite - Install Zorin OS - Education - .

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.
  • Zorin OS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-06-18
  • Xubuntu Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-06-18

Zorin OS features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Zorin OS offers a highly intuitive and Windows-like interface, making it an excellent choice for users transitioning from Windows.
  • Pre-installed Software
    Includes a wide variety of pre-installed software, covering most basic needs such as web browsing, document editing, and media playback.
  • Performance
    Optimized to run smoothly even on older hardware, providing a fast and responsive experience without requiring the latest technologies.
  • Customization
    Features a highly customizable environment with Zorin Appearance, allowing users to tailor the desktop to their preferences.
  • Security
    Based on Ubuntu, it benefits from a large repository of secure and stable software, along with regular updates and community support.
  • Compatibility
    Supports a wide range of software applications and hardware devices out of the box, reducing the need for additional configurations.

Possible disadvantages of Zorin OS

  • Limited Edition Features
    Some advanced features are only available in the paid editions (Pro), which may be a limitation for users wanting a completely free experience.
  • Gaming
    While it supports Steam and other gaming platforms, it may not run all the latest games as efficiently as Windows due to limited driver support.
  • Smaller Community
    Compared to larger distributions like Ubuntu or Fedora, Zorin OS has a smaller user community, which may result in fewer online resources and support options.
  • Limited Deep Customization
    While Zorin OS is customizable, deeply technical users may find it less flexible than other distributions that cater specifically to power users, such as Arch Linux.

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.

Analysis of Zorin OS

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Zorin OS is considered a solid choice for both beginners and experienced users looking for a reliable and aesthetically pleasing Linux distribution. Its focus on accessibility and user friendliness makes it a strong candidate for mainstream desktop use.

Why this product is good

  • Zorin OS is often praised for its user-friendly interface and the seamless experience it offers to users transitioning from Windows or macOS. It is based on Ubuntu, which provides a stable and secure foundation alongside access to a large repository of software. Furthermore, Zorin OS includes a variety of useful applications out of the box and offers a visually appealing desktop environment that can be customized to fit different desktop paradigms.

Recommended for

  • Users transitioning from Windows or macOS seeking a familiar interface.
  • Beginners who want an easy-to-use and stable Linux distribution.
  • Users who appreciate a polished and modern user experience.
  • Those who need access to Ubuntu's vast repository of software and community support.

Analysis of Xubuntu

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

Zorin OS videos

Zorin OS 17 : Download and Install on VirtualBox Complete Guide Step by Step And Review

More videos:

  • Review - Zorin OS 15 Review - the desktop shell to beat?
  • Review - Zorin OS 15 for Windows Users

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 Zorin OS and Xubuntu)
Linux
57 57%
43% 43
Operating Systems
57 57%
43% 43
Linux Distribution
57 57%
43% 43
Gaming
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using Zorin OS and Xubuntu. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Zorin OS and Xubuntu

Zorin OS Reviews

12 Best Linux Distros You Should Use
Besides, Zorin OS also has a Pro version that costs $40, and for that price, you get more desktop layout customizations, preloaded apps such as GIMP and Blender, and the ability to share your mouse and keyboard across computers. Now, we wouldn’t recommend going all out on the Pro version, since most of the paid features can be added by using extensions. However, for what it...
Source: beebom.com
The best Linux distributions (operating systems)
Zorin OS is an Ubuntu derivative that is primarily aimed at Windows users, making it easy for them to switch to Linux. For companies relying on Microsoft’s office programs, Zorin OS is worth taking into consideration.
Source: www.ionos.com
Best Top 20 Ubuntu Linux Alternatives (Pros and Cons)
Zorin OS is based on Ubuntu and it comes with a GNOME 3 or XFCE 4 desktop environment, but it’s highly tailored to enable Windows and macOS users to switch to Linux. It is designed to make your computer faster, more powerful and secure.
Best Linux distros of 2021 for beginners, mainstream and advanced users
The Zorin OS project began in 2008 with the sole intention of making Linux user-friendly. Its developers wanted to make Linux accessible to regular users and they did this by introducing familiarity in the user interface.

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, Zorin OS should be more popular than Xubuntu. It has been mentiond 151 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.

Zorin OS mentions (151)

  • Microsoft starts testing ads in the Windows 11 Start menu
    I tried several over the years, specifically looking for a good out of the box experience, GUI-first usage, and one that's stable over time, and after upgrades. Zorin OS fit the bill the most. I think the landing page is good as well. https://zorin.com/os/. - Source: Hacker News / about 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
  • I'm planning to go full on linux without previous experience
    Zorin and Linux Mint are two popular Linux distros that are very friendly to those coming from Windows OS. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Edge sends images you view online to Microsoft
    > and never felt Linux was a worthwhile alternative on desktop ZorinOS (https://zorin.com/os) can hopefully change your perspective. - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • Manjaro is a free and open source Linux operating system that emphasizes privacy
    ZorinOS[0] is fantastic! I switched from Ubuntu too and it was surprising how polished ZorinOS was. Everything was super stable and in the last 2 years, it didn't break by itself, which I can't say the same for Ubuntu sadly. Linux Mint too is cool but the outdated UI is the only deal breaker for me. [0] - https://zorin.com/os. - Source: Hacker News / 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 / 8 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: about 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Zorin OS and Xubuntu, 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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.