8 Best Linux OS / Distros in 2024

With the increasing number of Linux distributions available today, users often look for suitable alternatives when they are used to those operating systems. In 2023, it is estimated that more than 600 Linux distros are available, with about 500 of them still actively developed.

The main factor causing the diversity of Linux distributions is their open-source nature, which allows anyone to modify and distribute their own operating systems. In addition, the availability of choices and no need to pay for licenses make Linux a favorite choice for users who want to find a suitable option. Therefore, Linux users often try various existing distributions to find an operating system that is comfortable and suits their needs.

Here is a list of the Best Linux OS/Distros in 2023 that have been selected based on certain criteria. This list is intended for everyone, both beginners and advanced users, who want to find the best distro for their needs.

Best Linux Distros 2023

1. Linux Mint

Linux Mint is a derivative of the Ubuntu distro. One of its advantages is the ease of installation, making it suitable for beginners who want to try Linux.

For those of you who are new to Linux from Windows, there’s no need to worry because the UI (User Interface) and UX (User Experience) in Linux Mint are very similar to Windows. This will make it easier for you to adapt quickly to the Linux operating system and maximize its use without having to learn from scratch.

Linux Mint provides 3 Desktop Environment options that can be chosen: Cinnamon, XFCE, and Mate. Cinnamon is the default Desktop Environment of Linux Mint, and we highly recommend choosing this Desktop Environment because besides being stable, Cinnamon is also quite lightweight to run on computers with standard specifications. Thus, Linux Mint users can perform daily tasks smoothly without experiencing performance issues.

The popularity of Linux Mint is undeniable, as evidenced by Distrowatch, where Linux Mint remains in the top 5.

Advantages

1. Linux Mint is very beginner-friendly because it has an intuitive and easy-to-use interface.
2. This operating system is very stable to use, so you don’t have to worry about errors.
3. No snap installed, for users who don’t like the snap software manager. However, you can still install snap manually.
4. Linux Mint is supported by an active and responsive community, so users can easily find solutions to problems they face.
5. Security in Linux Mint is guaranteed because this operating system has regular security updates, as well as good security features.
6. Long-term update support for 5 years.

Disadvantages

1. Less compatible for gaming.
2. Less PPA support, even if you add it manually, it can cause system errors.

2. Ubuntu

Ubuntu is a derivative distro of Debian, and also the parent of other distros like Linux Mint. The Ubuntu distro is also the most widely used Linux Distro, especially by beginners and servers.

Although still beginner-friendly, you might need to adjust to Ubuntu’s default Desktop Environment, Gnome.

You can actually use other Desktop Environments such as XFCE, KDE Plasma, Mate, Budgie, and others. However, you only get community support and long-term updates for 3 years.

When it comes to compatible software, Ubuntu is the champion. With PPA and Snap support, Ubuntu can run various software well.

Advantages

1. Extensive and active Ubuntu community support.
2. Beginner-friendly.
3. Long-term support up to 5 years.
4. Guaranteed security.

Disadvantages

1. Only Gnome DE is directly supported by Ubuntu developers.
2. Driver issues often occur, especially with new hardware.
3. UI and UX that are less familiar to Windows and Mac users.

3. Manjaro

Arch distro might be a bit challenging for some users, but thanks to Manjaro, all difficulties related to Arch Linux are gone, even a beginner can install and run Manjaro easily.

Manjaro is a Linux Distro suitable for anyone, whether developers, gamers, designers, or even beginners. With broad software support, it becomes an advantage for the Manjaro distro.

You can also choose the appropriate Desktop Environment such as KDE Plasma, XFCE, and Gnome. If that’s not enough, other desktop environments such as Budgie, Cinnamon, and Mate are available, supported by the Manjaro community. Or if you prefer a window manager to increase productivity, then use i3wm or sway.

Advantages

1. Beginner-friendly Arch-based distro.
2. Excellent stability and compatibility.
3. Reliable Software Manager.
4. Various Desktop Environment options.
5. Always up-to-date technology.
6. Game support, even Steam is pre-installed.

Disadvantages

1. Rolling Release, which means frequent updates, so the possibility of finding bugs or errors can occur.
2. Possibility of manual configuration.

4. Fedora

Fedora is one of the best Linux distros based on the Linux kernel, just like the Debian distro. The Fedora distro is sponsored by Red Hat, and both have a very close relationship, even Red Hat Enterprise Linux is developed based on Fedora.

One of the most interesting features of Fedora is its support for many architectures such as Desktop, Server, IoT, and many more. If you don’t like the default GNOME desktop environment, you can replace it with another environment thanks to Fedora Spin. With Fedora Spin, you can choose the desktop environment you want, such as KDE, XFCE, LXQT, LXDE, Budgie, Mate, Cinnamon, and Soas, or you can use a window manager like i3 and Sway.

Fedora is very suitable for developers because this distro offers the latest open-source technology to users. In addition, Fedora is also supported by Red Hat, where many experienced programmers contribute. Even Linus Torvalds uses Fedora for development.

Advantages

1. Supports many architectures.
2. Fedora is very reliable, stable, and flexible.
3. Provides guaranteed security.
4. Supported by a very large developer community.
5. Supports many graphical tools.
6. Has a very strong firewall.
7. Always up-to-date open-source tools.

Disadvantages

1. Takes time to set up Fedora, but it’s worth what you’ll get.
2. Cannot run on old hardware. New technology requires newer hardware.
3. New features may have problems.

5. Kali Linux

This Linux distro is slightly different from other distros, because Kali Linux is a distro specifically for network security issues. With various networking software available by default, Kali is the best Linux distro, especially for penetration testing.

For the interface display, it is quite simple because it uses the XFCE Desktop Environment by default. The KDE Plasma and Gnome Desktop Environments are also available as other options. Although it has a simple UI and UX, it doesn’t mean Kali Linux is easy for beginners to use. Most of the tools are only CLI or run via the terminal.

One unique thing about the Kali Linux display is the Undercover mode, where when this feature is activated, its appearance will change like Windows 10.

Advantages

1. Multi-device, Kali Linux can be installed directly as an operating system on computers and smartphones, or WSL on Windows and using Termux on Android.

Disadvantages

1. A bit slow compared to other distros.
2. Not beginner-friendly because it is designed specifically for penetration.
3. Some tools have problems.

6. Pop!_OS

If you want to play games on a Linux operating system, you should consider Pop!_OS. Almost all hardware drivers run smoothly on the Pop!_OS distro. This distro is also a derivative of the Ubuntu distro, so it is still easy to use.

The most interesting feature offered by Pop!_OS is autotiling. With this feature, every open window will automatically be arranged so that you can focus more on work and certainly increase productivity.

Advantages

1. Drivers are pre-installed, so gaming runs smoothly.
2. Has an autotiling feature to arrange windows.

Disadvantages

1. Only Gnome is available as the Desktop Environment for the Pop!_OS distro.

7. EndeavourOS

The next best Linux distro is EndeavourOS, which is a derivative of Arch Linux. Although this distro is still new, its popularity has soared and surpassed Manjaro, which is also based on Arch Linux.

The difference with Manjaro is that there are not many pre-installed applications, so you need to adjust again when you first install the Endeavour distro.

By default, EndeavourOS uses XFCE as its Desktop Environment, but interestingly, EndeavourOS has quite a few Desktop Environment options during the installation process. This is thanks to the installer software called Calamares, which allows you to install XFCE, Cinnamon, Budgie, Mate, Gnome, KDE Plasma, LXQT, and i3.

However, I do not recommend EndeavourOS for beginners, as you may find it difficult to configure. But you can ask the Endeavour community, who are very responsive, if you need help.

The most interesting thing about EndeavourOS is its fast and lightweight performance. This is due to its always up-to-date technology, fewer sources, and the lightweight XFCE desktop environment.

Advantages

1. Very easy-to-use installer.
2. Many Desktop Environment options.
3. Lightweight, because there are few applications installed by default, so it is lightweight to run.
4. Very responsive community.

Disadvantages

1. Annoying bugs, although the system is stable, we found some bugs, such as in the display. But these bugs are still safe.
2. Not beginner-friendly, almost all configurations are done via CLI and config files, so it is not suitable for beginners.

8. MX Linux

MX Linux is a Debian-derived distro developed by the antiX and MX communities. The MX distro is designed as an elegant yet efficient desktop operating system, offering high stability and solid performance.

Compared to other Linux distros, MX Linux does not stand out in terms of specific features because its developers do not focus on that. However, MX Linux focuses on providing an operating system with a solid base and a user-friendly desktop. MX Linux is also known as a lightweight distro, although not as light as Arch Linux, this is due to the use of the default XFCE desktop environment. However, if you don’t like XFCE, you can choose other options such as KDE Plasma as an alternative.

Advantages

1. Solid system, user-friendly, and very stable.
2. Can run on systems with not too high specifications.

Disadvantages

1. Technology is not cutting-edge, perhaps for stability reasons, the technology used in MX Linux is several versions lower than the latest.

How to Choose the Best Linux Distro

We tried some of the Linux distros on that list ourselves to directly experience using them. The assessment was based on stability, compatibility, security, and also the popularity of each distro.

Why is popularity used as a reference? The more people use a distro, the greater the likelihood that the distro is very good. With many users, the community will also be more active, so…

Final Words

If you are someone who has tried various Linux distros, then you will realize that almost all distros are not much different in terms of function. It’s like rice; if eaten plain, it doesn’t taste much different, but if accompanied by side dishes, the taste can be very different depending on the side dishes available.

So, have you chosen or are you still trying one of the best distros I wrote about? Or are there other distros that I might not know about? If there are other distros that I didn’t mention, please write them in the comments section.