Debian vs Mint
Mint draws more interest (#2 vs #4).
you write software.
you're new to Linux or you want a desktop that feels like Windows.
| Debian #4 · Debian | Mint #2 · Debian | |
|---|---|---|
| Popularity rank (12 months) | 4 | 2 |
| Rank last month | 6 | 2 |
| Index | 298 | 299 |
| Family | Debian | Debian |
| Based on | - | Ubuntu |
| First released | 1993 | 2006 |
| Latest release | 13.7 | 22.3 LTS |
| Supported until | Aug 2028 | Apr 2029 |
| GitHub stars | - | 5,652 |
| Commits, last 30 days | - | 103 |
| Telemetry (OS default) | Off unless you opt in | None |
Pros and cons
Debian
Good
- Very stable and thoroughly tested
- Huge package archive
- Community-run with no company in control
Trade-offs
- Stable releases ship older software
- Less hand-holding at install than Ubuntu or Mint
- Non-free firmware and drivers may need extra steps on some hardware
Mint
Good
- Windows-style Cinnamon desktop that feels familiar
- Media codecs and drivers offered at install
- Built on Ubuntu LTS, so most Ubuntu guides apply
Trade-offs
- Newest apps and kernels arrive later than on Fedora or Arch
- Wayland support is behind GNOME and KDE
- No official ARM builds
Questions
Is Debian or Mint more popular?
Mint draws more interest over the last 12 months (#2 vs #4 in our popularity ranking). That measures interest, not installs.
Which is better for beginners, Debian or Mint?
Mint is the easier start: it's aimed at people new to Linux. Debian expects some Linux experience.
Does Debian or Mint collect telemetry?
Debian: off unless you opt in. Mint: none. Apps you install have their own settings.
Rankings from our composite index: English Wikipedia article views, DistroWatch page hits, GitHub stars and views on this site, built 2026-11-12. All of these measure interest, not installs. Repository activity from GitHub. Ratings come from signed-in LinuxStatistics users. "Pick if", pros and cons are LinuxStatistics editorial notes based on each project's own documentation. Release dates and support from endoflife.date (CC BY-SA 4.0).