Debian
Debian family · first released 1993
- Popularity rank
- #4
- Index
- 298
- Released
- 1993
- Latest release
- 13.7
- Supported until
- Aug 2028
your computer is older or low on memory, you write software or you prefer tested updates on a fixed schedule.
Pros and cons
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
How Debian fits what you do
Everyday use: Good fit
Good
- Made for day-to-day desktop use
Trade-offs
None we know of.
Gaming: Can work
Good
Nothing that stands out for this.
Trade-offs
- NVIDIA drivers need setting up yourself
- Graphics drivers and kernels update more slowly
- Steam and gaming tweaks are up to you
Older computers: Good fit
Good
- Runs in about 1 GB of RAM
- Offers a lightweight desktop
Trade-offs
- No 32-bit images
Programming: Good fit
Good
- Popular with developers
- A stable base that doesn't change under you
- Also runs on ARM machines
Trade-offs
None we know of.
AI & Local LLMs: Can work
Good
- CUDA available from NVIDIA's or the distro's own packages
- AMD ROCm supported or packaged
Trade-offs
None we know of.
Servers & home labs: Good fit
Good
- Widely used on servers
- Fixed releases with tested updates
- Runs on ARM boards and Raspberry Pi
- Small footprint
Trade-offs
None we know of.
Privacy & security: Can work
Good
- Sends no usage data unless you agree
Trade-offs
- Privacy tools like Tor or sandboxing are up to you
Music, video & graphics: Can work
Good
Nothing that stands out for this.
Trade-offs
- Creative apps and low-latency audio setup are up to you
From our hand-written profile of Debian. Take the quiz to compare it with other distros for your setup.
Rank over time
| Window | Rank | Index | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last month | #6 ▼ 2 | 297 | |
| 12 months | #4 | 298 |
Shorter windows react faster. A better rank there than over 12 months means interest is growing.
Telemetry
Off unless you opt inThe installer asks whether to join the package usage survey (popularity-contest). It's off unless you agree.
The OS itself, by default. Every distro contacts its servers to check for updates; that isn't counted here. Apps you install have their own settings. Checked in the project's build files. Source
Rate Debian
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Ranking 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. Release dates and support from endoflife.date (CC BY-SA 4.0). Ratings come from signed-in LinuxStatistics users.