Mint vs Ubuntu
Mint draws more interest (#2 vs #9).
your computer is older or low on memory or you want a desktop that feels like Windows.
you write software or you run AI models or LLMs on your own GPU.
| Mint #2 · Debian | Ubuntu #9 · Debian | |
|---|---|---|
| Popularity rank (12 months) | 2 | 9 |
| Rank last month | 2 | 7 |
| Index | 299 | 296 |
| Family | Debian | Debian |
| Based on | Ubuntu | Debian |
| First released | 2006 | 2004 |
| Latest release | 22.3 LTS | 26.10 |
| Supported until | Apr 2029 | Jul 2027 |
| GitHub stars | 5,652 | - |
| Commits, last 30 days | 103 | - |
| Telemetry (OS default) | None | Off unless you opt in |
Pros and cons
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
Ubuntu
Good
- The most documented desktop Linux
- LTS releases supported for years
- Widely supported by commercial software and hardware vendors
Trade-offs
- Snap packages are the default for some apps, which some users dislike
- Stock GNOME is customised in ways that differ from upstream
- LTS software ages between releases
Questions
Is Mint or Ubuntu more popular?
Mint draws more interest over the last 12 months (#2 vs #9 in our popularity ranking). That measures interest, not installs.
Which is better for beginners, Mint or Ubuntu?
Both suit people new to Linux. The choice mostly comes down to the desktop you prefer.
Which runs better on an older computer?
Mint is the lighter choice and is known for running well on older hardware.
Does Mint or Ubuntu collect telemetry?
Mint: none. Ubuntu: off unless you opt in. Apps you install have their own settings.
Is Mint based on Ubuntu?
Yes. Mint is built on Ubuntu, so most Ubuntu software and guides also work on it.
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).