15 Best Linux Distributions For 2016
Mar. 4, 2015Linux stopped being an OS reserved for “geeks” a long time ago. While the command-line is still indispensable, all popular Linux distributions offer a full-fledged graphical interface, called desktop environment (DE) in which you can work like in any other OS.
1. Ubuntu
Best for:beginners and users switching from OS X and Windows
Best for:first-time Linux users and everyone who wants a system that works out-of-the-box
openSUSEis popular Linux distribution renowned among commercial and private users alike. It’s based on RPM package management system and has KDE as the main desktop environment, but offers GNOME, XFCE, LXDE, Mate and others for installation. Apart from the stable release, openSUSE also has a rolling release (Tumbleweed) for those who want the latest software. It offers a complete system management solution called YaST and comes with enough pre-installed applications to get you started.
Best for:users who want a stable and reliable system with great support
Debianis one of the oldest and best supported Linux distributions out there. Technically, it’s the (grand)father of several other distros on this list. It’s focused on stability, so new versions don’t come out often, but when they do, they’re thoroughly tested (and named afterToy Storycharacters!). Debian offers an incredible amount of packages – more than 37 000 – basically, almost any software that exists for Linux has a Debian package. You can try Debian in Live mode before installing it, and choose between a minimal or full installation. There’s a graphical installer to guide you through the process, and you can install any DE you wish, as they are all supported.
Best for:servers, users who want a stable and secure system, and those who don’t want to update their apps often
Best for:users who want to try a new Linux distro that’s user-friendly and supports many DEs
PC Linux OS, or PCLOS for short, has a reputation of a simple distribution that supports a lot of hardware out-of-the-box, including some old devices. It comes in two lightweight flavors – LXDE and Mate, the standard KDE desktop, and a special, really cool edition called FullMonty, which is a customized KDE edition with many pre-installed applications and separate desktops for different activities (Writing, Music, Internet…). PCLOS uses the RPM packaging system and has its own repository with enough applications to keep you happy. It’s a rolling release distribution, so you can expect regular updates and new versions of software.
Best for:beginners who want the newest software, users who don’t want to spend too much time setting up their system
Best for:users who want a simple and beautiful KDE-only distribution
LXLEis a new player on the Linux distro scene, but it’s already collecting praise and satisfied users. It’s a lightweight Ubuntu-based distribution with LXDE as its main (and only) desktop environment. The goal of LXLE is to ensure a seamless transition to users who are switching from OS X or Windows by providing different desktop layouts that “mimic” the appearance of other operating systems. This makes it easier for users to adapt to the new OS. LXLE comes bundled with all the applications you need: from text editors, email and IM clients to multimedia tools, file viewers and system utilities. Still, none of this makes LXLE slow – it’s optimized for old computers and comes in both 32- and 64-bit versions.
Best for:users switching from OS X and Windows, and those who want to revive their old PCs
Best for:old computers, users who just want a basic set of apps
Best for:old computers, users who want a Linux distribution that looks like OS X
Manjaro Linux takes the incredible power of Arch Linux and makes it easier to wield thanks to a user-friendly approach, especially in regards to installing the distribution and maintaining your system. The default DE is the lightweight, reliable XFCE, but KDE, GNOME and Cinnamon versions are also available. Manjaro offers automatic hardware detection and driver support, use of multiple kernels, and its own repositories with tested software. However, users can also access Arch Linux repositories and get software from there. Since it’s a rolling release distribution, your system is always up-to-date. Manjaro is a great choice if you want the latest software, but don’t want to jump through too many hoops to get it.
Best for:users who want the latest software, average users who want to try Arch Linux but don’t feel ready yet
Best for:new users who want to try a user-friendly version of Fedora, experienced users who want multimedia support out-of-the-box
Arch Linuxis a powerful Linux distribution, but with great power comes great responsibility, and in this case it means responsibility for your own system. Installation and setup of Arch Linux requires relatively advanced knowledge, but it can be managed with the help of detailed tutorials and official guides. You can install anything on Arch Linux – KDE, Cinnamon, GNOME…, and there are hundreds of applications available in the Arch User Repository (AUR). It’s a rolling release distro with new snapshots released quite often, but the updates can sometimes break your system. Arch Linux puts you in complete control because you get to choose and tweak every little detail. Among the best things about this distribution are the official forums and wiki where you can get help for any kind of problem you encounter.
Best for:advanced users, average users who want to learn more about Linux, users who prefer a minimalist setup
Fedorais often referred to as a “bleeding-edge” distribution, meaning that it’s focused on innovation and latest technologies, sometimes at the cost of stability. It comes in three main editions: Workstation, Server and Cloud, and there are numerous Spins or versions of Fedora which provide different desktop environments and software collections. The default DE, however, is GNOME. Fedora is a RPM distribution with its own repositories. A particularly important feature is Security-Enhanced (SE) Linux which is implemented in the kernel and serves to make Fedora a safer distribution, but also lets the user control different security policies.
Best for:advanced users who want to test the latest software, users who value system security
Best for:average and advanced users who want to test Plasma 5
What’s your favorite Linux distribution?Share your recommendations of other great Linux distributions in the comments below.
Ivana Isadora is a freelance writer and translator working in English, Croatian and Swedish. She’s a Linux user & KDE fan interested in web design, startups, and personal branding. She loves discovering new apps and presenting them to the world.
