Pop!_OS vs Ubuntu
Pop!_OS draws more interest (#5 vs #9).
you play games on PC.
The most widely documented desktop Linux; long-term support releases.
| Pop!_OS #5 · Debian | Ubuntu #9 · Debian | |
|---|---|---|
| Popularity rank (12 months) | 5 | 9 |
| Rank last month | 9 | 7 |
| Index | 298 | 296 |
| Family | Debian | Debian |
| Based on | Ubuntu | Debian |
| First released | 2017 | 2004 |
| Latest release | 24.04 LTS | 26.10 |
| Supported until | May 2029 | Jul 2027 |
| GitHub stars | 5,290 | - |
| Commits, last 30 days | 0 | - |
| Telemetry (OS default) | None | Off unless you opt in |
Pros and cons
Pop!_OS
Good
- NVIDIA ISO with drivers ready
- COSMIC desktop with built-in tiling
- Made by a hardware vendor (System76) that tests it on laptops
Trade-offs
- Release timing follows System76, not Ubuntu's calendar
- COSMIC is newer and less mature than GNOME or KDE
- Fewer desktop choices than Ubuntu flavours
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 Pop!_OS or Ubuntu more popular?
Pop!_OS draws more interest over the last 12 months (#5 vs #9 in our popularity ranking). That measures interest, not installs.
Which is better for beginners, Pop!_OS or Ubuntu?
Both suit people new to Linux. The choice mostly comes down to the desktop you prefer.
Is Pop!_OS or Ubuntu better for gaming?
Pop!_OS is set up with gaming in mind. Ubuntu can run Steam and Proton too, but needs more setup.
Does Pop!_OS or Ubuntu collect telemetry?
Pop!_OS: none. Ubuntu: off unless you opt in. Apps you install have their own settings.
Is Pop!_OS based on Ubuntu?
Yes. Pop!_OS 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).