Fedora vs Mint
Mint draws more interest (#2 vs #7).
you write software or you run AI models or LLMs on your own GPU.
you're new to Linux, your computer is older or low on memory or you want a desktop that feels like Windows.
| Fedora #7 · RPM | Mint #2 · Debian | |
|---|---|---|
| Popularity rank (12 months) | 7 | 2 |
| Rank last month | 3 | 2 |
| Index | 297 | 299 |
| Family | RPM | Debian |
| Based on | - | Ubuntu |
| First released | 2003 | 2006 |
| Latest release | 45 | 22.3 LTS |
| Supported until | Dec 2027 | Apr 2029 |
| GitHub stars | 1,383 | 5,652 |
| Commits, last 30 days | 6 | 103 |
| Telemetry (OS default) | Anonymous count, on by default | None |
Pros and cons
Fedora
Good
- Recent software on a predictable six-month cycle
- Close to upstream GNOME and KDE
- Early adopter of new Linux tech (Wayland, PipeWire, Btrfs)
Trade-offs
- Each release is supported for only about 13 months
- Patented media codecs need extra setup
- Version upgrades twice a year
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 Fedora or Mint more popular?
Mint draws more interest over the last 12 months (#2 vs #7 in our popularity ranking). That measures interest, not installs.
Which is better for beginners, Fedora or Mint?
Mint is the easier start: it's aimed at people new to Linux. Fedora expects some Linux experience.
Which runs better on an older computer?
Mint is the lighter choice and is known for running well on older hardware.
Does Fedora or Mint collect telemetry?
Fedora sends an anonymous count by default (you can turn it off). 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).