This page provides general information about notable Linux distributions in the form of a categorized list. Distributions are organized into sections by the major distribution or package management system they are based on.
Debian-based
Debian (a portmanteau of the names "Deb" and "Ian") Linux is a distribution that emphasizes free software. It supports many hardware platforms. Debian and distributions based on it use the .deb package format and the dpkg package manager and its frontends (such as apt or synaptic).
Ubuntu-based
Ubuntu (named after the Nguni philosophy of ubuntu) is a distribution based on Debian, designed to have regular releases, a consistent user experience and commercial support on both desktops and servers.
Official derivatives These Ubuntu variants, also known as Ubuntu flavours, simply install a set of packages different from the original Ubuntu, but since they draw additional packages and updates from the same repositories as Ubuntu, all of the same software is available for each of them.
Distribution Description Edubuntu A complete Linux based operating system targeted for primary and secondary education. Versions are freely available with community-based support. The Edubuntu community is built on the ideas enshrined in the Edubuntu Manifesto: that software, especially for education, should be available free of charge and that software tools should be usable by people in their local language and despite any disabilities. Gobuntu Gobuntu was an official derivative of the Ubuntu operating system, aiming to provide a distribution consisting entirely of free software. It was officially announced by Mark Shuttleworth on July 10, 2007, and daily builds of Gobuntu 7.10 began to be publicly released. The project ended around the release of 8.04 and has since merged into mainline Ubuntu as a 'free software' option. Kubuntu An official derivative of Ubuntu Linux using KDE instead of the GNOME (or Unity) desktop environment used by default in Ubuntu. Lubuntu An official derivative of the Ubuntu operating system that is "lighter, less resource hungry and more energy-efficient", using the LXQt desktop environment (used LXDE before 18.10). Mythbuntu Based on Ubuntu and MythTV, providing applications for recording TV and acting as a media center. On 4 November 2016 the development team announced the end of Mythbuntu as a separate distribution, citing insufficient developers. Ubuntu Budgie An official derivative of Ubuntu using Budgie.Ubuntu CinnamonAn official derivative of Ubuntu using the Cinnamon desktop environment. Ubuntu GNOME Formerly an official Ubuntu variant, but since the main Ubuntu 17.10, which uses GNOME Shell as its default desktop and GDM as its display manager, this distro has been merged into mainline releases. Ubuntu JeOS "Just Enough OS" – was described as "an efficient variant [...] configured specifically for virtual appliances". Since the release of Ubuntu 8.10 it has been included as an option as part of the standard Ubuntu Server Edition. Ubuntu Kylin An official derivative aimed at the Chinese market. Ubuntu MATE An official derivative of Ubuntu using MATE, a desktop environment forked from the now-defunct GNOME 2 code base, with an emphasis on the desktop metaphor. Ubuntu Mobile A discontinued embedded operating system designed for use on mobile devices. The operating system will use Hildon from maemo as its graphical frontend. Ubuntu Touch is a successor to Ubuntu Mobile. Ubuntu Netbook Edition Netbook Edition was an official derivative of Ubuntu designed for netbooks using the Intel Atom processor. Starting from Ubuntu 11.04, Ubuntu Netbook Edition has been merged into the desktop edition. Ubuntu Server An official derivative made for use in servers & IBM mainframes. Ubuntu Server handles mail, controls printers, acts as a fileserver, can host LAMP and more. Ubuntu Studio Based on Ubuntu, providing open-source applications for multimedia creation aimed at the audio, video and graphic editors. Ubuntu TV A discontinued distribution designed for use in smart TVs.Ubuntu UnityAn official derivative of Ubuntu using the Unity desktop environment. Xubuntu An official derivative of Ubuntu using Xfce. Xubuntu is intended for use on less-powerful computers or those who seek a highly efficient desktop environment on faster systems, and uses mostly GTK applications.
Unofficial derivatives Unofficial variants and derivatives are not controlled or guided by Canonical Ltd. and generally have different goals in mind. Distribution Description BackBox BackBox is a Linux distribution based on Ubuntu. It has been developed to perform penetration tests and security assessments. Designed to be fast, easy to use and provide a minimal yet complete desktop environment, thanks to its own software repositories, always being updated to the latest stable version of the most used and best known ethical hacking tools. Bodhi Linux An Ubuntu-based Linux distribution featuring the Moksha Desktop environment and targeting users who want a minimum of preinstalled software or low system requirements.Cub LinuxUbuntu-based distribution designed to mimic the desktop appearance and functionality of ChromeOS. dyne:bolic Live CD geared toward multimedia (audio and video) production, but comes with other non-media specific application (e.g. word processor, desktop publisher) EasyPeasy Fork of Ubuntu designed for netbooks Eeebuntu Specifically for the Eee PC range of netbooks, based on Debian. Also rebranded as Aurora OS. Element OS Based on Xubuntu, made for Home theater PCs elementary OS A distribution focusing mainly on non-technical users, has a pay what you want model. Emmabuntüs Based on Xubuntu designed to facilitate the repacking of computers donated to Emmaüs Communities.GalliumOSA distribution for ChromeOS devices by the community-supported GalliumOS project, based on Xubuntu, maintains compatibility with Ubuntu repositories. GendBuntu A version adapted for use by France's National Gendarmerie. Goobuntu An Ubuntu-based distribution that was used internally by Google (until changing to non-Ubuntu, Debian-based GLinux); not available outside of Google gOS Used the GNOME desktop environment with user interface enhancements to make it work more like Mac OS X, it also featured Google Apps, Picasa, Google Gadgets and other web-based applications, and came with Wine 1.0 pre-installed. Now discontinued. Joli OS Discontinued cloud-focused distribution. Joli OS (formerly Jolicloud) is built upon Debian and Ubuntu, but it is designed to run on relatively low-powered netbook computers. The Linux For Schools Project TLSP (formerly Karoshi) is a formerly PCLinuxOS-based distribution designed for use in schools. KDE neon Focused on the development of KDE. The emphasis is on bleeding edge software packages sourced directly from KDE and offers programmers early access to new features, but potentially at the cost of greater susceptibility to software bugs. LiMux A project by the city council of Munich, GermanyLinux Caixa MágicaPortuguese Linux distribution. Linux Lite The purpose of Linux Lite is to introduce Windows users to Linux, and provide them with a comfortable and useful user experience. It is designed to be simple and suitable for new Linux users who want a lightweight, highly responsive, and fully functional environment. Linux Mint Linux Mint synchronizes its release-cycle with Ubuntu's long-term support, and is tailored to user-friendliness for desktop users. Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE) is Mint's Debian stable based version. Its purpose is to use Debian base packages/kernel under the hood should Ubuntu ever disappear. It's also used by Mint developers to develop their Cinnamon desktop. LinuxMCE Linux Media Center Edition, a Kubuntu-based distribution that provides in-depth HTPC functionality as well as home automation. LinuxTLE A Thai Linux distribution. Not maintained.LinuxTLE website LliureX A distribution by the Generalitat Valenciana LXLE Linux A light-weight Linux distribution based on Lubuntu, using the LXDE desktop environment. MAX Stands for MAdrid LinuX. Used in education.Maya OSA distribution developed by Indian Ministry of Defence. Molinux Ubuntu based initiative to introduce the Castile-La Mancha community in Spain to the information society. Netrunner Kubuntu based distribution with complete software and codecs installed, developed by Blue Systems (also sponsoring Kubuntu and LinuxMintKDE). Nova Cuban state-sponsored distribution developed at the University of Information Science, Havana. Formerly based on Gentoo. OpenGEU Ubuntu based distribution with Enlightenment window manager, formerly named Geubuntu. Pinguy OS An Ubuntu-based distro for people that have never used Linux before or for people that want an out-of-the-box working OS without having to tweak a fresh installation of Ubuntu or other Ubuntu-based distro. Pop!_OS An Ubuntu-based distro developed by System76 predominantly for use on hardware that they manufacture. Poseidon Linux For academic and scientific use. Based on Ubuntu, but enhanced by GIS/maps, numerical modelling, 2D/3D/4D visualization, statistics, tools for creating simple and complex graphics, programming languages. Sabily Ubuntu based distribution for Muslims (formerly Ubuntu Muslim Edition) Unmaintained SuperGamer A Live DVD distribution focused on gaming formerly based on VectorLinux. Trisquel GNU/Linux Fully free-software system without proprietary software or firmware and uses the Linux-libre kernel deblob script, based on Ubuntu LTS Releases UberStudent For higher education and advanced secondary students, those who teach them, and lifelong learners Uncom OS An open-source Linux distribution based on Ubuntu, Debian, and Arch Linux. Ututo A discontinued Linux distribution that was composed entirely of free software. Vinux A Linux distribution designed for visually impaired users Winux A Linux distribution that attempts to imitate the look and feel of Microsoft's Windows 11. Formerly known as Wubuntu. Zorin OS Zorin OS is a user-friendly distribution that can emulate the look and feel of Microsoft Windows or macOS. It is meant for users unfamiliar with Linux.
Knoppix-based
Knoppix (a portmanteau of the surname Knopper from Klaus Knopper and Unix) itself is based on Debian. It is a live distribution, with automated hardware configuration and a wide choice of software, which is decompressed as it loads from the drive.
Distribution Description Damn Small Linux A small Linux distro designed to run on older hardware. It is commonly used on virtual machines due to low memory requirements. Feather Linux Boots from either a CD or a USB flash drive. Uses Knoppix-based hardware detection and the Fluxbox window manager.
Other Debian-based