Pop!_OS vs Zorin
Pop!_OS draws more interest (#5 vs #6).
you play games on PC, you write software or you run AI models or LLMs on your own GPU.
you want a desktop that feels like Windows.
| Pop!_OS #5 · Debian | Zorin #6 · Debian | |
|---|---|---|
| Popularity rank (12 months) | 5 | 6 |
| Rank last month | 9 | 11 |
| Index | 298 | 297 |
| Family | Debian | Debian |
| Based on | Ubuntu | Ubuntu |
| First released | 2017 | 2009 |
| Latest release | 24.04 LTS | - |
| Supported until | May 2029 | - |
| GitHub stars | 5,290 | - |
| Commits, last 30 days | 0 | - |
| Telemetry (OS default) | None | Anonymous count, on by default |
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
Zorin
Good
- Layouts that mimic Windows or macOS
- Polished, beginner-focused setup
- Ubuntu LTS base with long support
Trade-offs
- Some layouts and extras need the paid Pro edition
- New major versions arrive well after Ubuntu's
- Smaller community than Ubuntu or Mint
Questions
Is Pop!_OS or Zorin more popular?
Pop!_OS draws more interest over the last 12 months (#5 vs #6 in our popularity ranking). That measures interest, not installs.
Which is better for beginners, Pop!_OS or Zorin?
Both suit people new to Linux. The choice mostly comes down to the desktop you prefer.
Is Pop!_OS or Zorin better for gaming?
Pop!_OS is set up with gaming in mind. Zorin can run Steam and Proton too, but needs more setup.
Does Pop!_OS or Zorin collect telemetry?
Pop!_OS: none. Zorin sends an anonymous count by default (you can turn it off). 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).