Fedora
RPM family · first released 2003
- Popularity rank
- #7
- Index
- 297
- GitHub stars
- 1,383
- Commits / mo
- 6
- Released
- 2003
- Latest release
- 45
- Supported until
- Dec 2027
you write software, you run AI models or LLMs on your own GPU or you prefer tested updates on a fixed schedule.
Pros and cons
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
How Fedora 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: Not the best fit
Good
Nothing that stands out for this.
Trade-offs
- Needs about 4 GB of RAM to feel smooth
- 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: Good fit
Good
- A common choice for running models locally
- 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
Trade-offs
None we know of.
Privacy & security: Can work
Good
Nothing that stands out for this.
Trade-offs
- Counts installs by default (can be turned off)
- 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 Fedora. Take the quiz to compare it with other distros for your setup.
Rank over time
| Window | Rank | Index | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last month | #3 ▲ 4 | 299 | |
| 12 months | #7 | 297 |
Shorter windows react faster. A better rank there than over 12 months means interest is growing.
Telemetry
Anonymous count, on by defaultPackage updates include an anonymous weekly "countme" flag so Fedora can estimate how many systems are in use. No ID or package list is sent. A crash reporter (ABRT) is also installed; its sending is under Settings, Privacy, Diagnostics.
To turn it off: Set countme=0 in each repo file under /etc/yum.repos.d/.
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 Fedora
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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. Repository activity from GitHub. Release dates and support from endoflife.date (CC BY-SA 4.0). Ratings come from signed-in LinuxStatistics users.