Fedora Vs. Ubuntu: How To Choose Your Next Linux Distro (and Which One I Use)

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ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

• Both Fedora and Ubuntu are awesome Linux distributions.
• Each distribution has a batch to connection various personification types.
• Both are free to download and use.

The first Linux distribution I utilized pinch immoderate level of occurrence was Red Hat 5.2, which was earlier Red Hat became RHEL, and Fedora was a chapeau worn by Marc Ewing successful his assemblage machine lab.

By nan clip Red Hat had go Fedora, I had already departed nan onshore of RPM and recovered myself happily utilizing nan APT-based Ubuntu. I recovered Ubuntu exponentially easier, much user-friendly. On apical of that, Ubuntu had much apps to take from.

I was sold.

Since then, I've primarily utilized only Ubuntu-based distributions, but that doesn't mean I judge Fedora is inferior. In fact, Fedora is simply a superb Linux distribution pinch plentifulness to offer.

But which is correct for you?

Let's dive successful and reply that question.

Fedora: Who is it for?

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If you were to inquire anyone successful nan Linux organization who has been astir agelong enough, they'll instantly show you that Fedora is for those who want a bleeding-edge operating strategy that's amended suited for those pinch plentifulness of Linux experience.

I would reason that case… to a point.

I don't judge Fedora is genuinely a "bleeding-edge" distribution. The Fedora improvement squad does trial each OS and app updates. On apical of that, Fedora is not a rolling merchandise distribution. Given that rolling merchandise distributions are often considered nan baseline for bleeding-edge, that would norm Fedora retired of nan category.

For a agelong time, Fedora was considered chiefly a developer distribution. Although it is simply a bully action for developers, to telephone it a "developer distribution" is simply a short-sighted. Like astir Linux distributions, Fedora is viable for each types of users, from those who person only toyed pinch Linux to those who've been utilizing it for years.

But what astir caller users? 

That's nan large question… and 1 that is often debated, argued, and contested.

Here's my reply to nan question:

Yes, Fedora is simply a viable action for those caller to Linux.

How tin I opportunity that? Simple. First off, Fedora has plentifulness of charismatic spins, immoderate of which see desktop environments that are perfectly suited for caller users, specified arsenic Fedora KDE. Although nan default GNOME DE is great, those who've ne'er knowledgeable a minimal desktop mightiness struggle getting up to velocity pinch it.

Second, Fedora is very overmuch for illustration astir operating systems successful that it includes user-friendly GUIs, an app store, coagulated hardware support, and plentifulness of software. You tin fundamentally point-and-click your measurement astir Fedora, conscionable for illustration you tin MacOS and Windows.

Third, Fedora is fast. Even erstwhile utilizing a full-blown desktop environment, specified arsenic KDE Plasma, you will beryllium shocked astatine really accelerated Fedora is. 

Also: The champion Linux distributions for beginners: Expert tested and reviewed

As well, Fedora is:

• Secure
• Reliable
• Enjoys a monolithic community
• Has plentifulness of variants (spins) to take from
• Available for x86_64, Power64, and ARM64 architectures (as good arsenic nan Asahi type for Apple Silicon)
• Includes a new, user-friendly, web-based installer
• Supports Flatpak

So, who is Fedora perfect for?

• Users who want speed, reliability, and options
• Those who want a stable, modern operating system
• Developers, strategy administrators, and those who want nan latest open-source software
• Those who for illustration nan SELinux information furniture complete AppArmor
• Those looking to time off Windows and don't mind learning thing new
• Those who want a distribution pinch nan backing of a ample company
• Those who build their ain PCs and want to guarantee nan champion support for modern hardware

Ubuntu: Who is it for?

Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

Ubuntu is often considered nan champion action for those who are caller to Linux. There's a logic for that. Even though nan UI mightiness beryllium a spot unfamiliar to immoderate users, Ubuntu is astir arsenic easy arsenic they come. Ubuntu is simply a perennial favourite for users of each types, from those who've ne'er touched Linux each nan measurement up to developers. 

I would spell truthful acold arsenic to opportunity that Ubuntu is 1 of those distributions that has thing to connection each azygous personification type.

Another logic is that Ubuntu is simply a coagulated prime for conscionable astir immoderate usage case, from punishment scrolling societal media, creativity, productivity, shopping, entertainment, development, and everything successful between.

Also: The easiest measurement to effort retired Ubuntu Linux

I've ever considered Ubuntu a benignant of "jack of each trades" distribution because it tin do conscionable astir anything.

Ubuntu besides ships pinch nan Hardware Enablement (HWE) kernel, which makes it compatible pinch astir modern hardware. In fact, whenever I effort to instal a Linux distribution and it doesn't observe each of my hardware (which is simply a uncommon juncture these days), I'll jump to Ubuntu because I cognize it'll admit it all.

Also: While Windows 10 users panic, Ubuntu makes extending support easy - here's how

As well, Ubuntu:

• Is a distribution that hundreds of different distributions are based on.
• Is reliable, stable, and secure.
• Ejoys a monolithic community.
• Offers immoderate of nan longest support windows of immoderate OS.
• Has respective "flavors" specified arsenic Kubuntu, Lubuntu, Xubuntu, Edubuntu, Ubuntu Budgie, Ubuntu Cinnamon, Ubuntu Kylin, Ubuntu MATE, Ubuntu Studio, and Ubuntu Unity.
• Supports AppImages, Flatpak, and Snap.
• Performs very good connected caller and older hardware.

So, who is Ubuntu perfect for?

• Those looking to time off Windows
• Those pinch small to nary Linux experience
• Those pinch plentifulness of Linux experience
• Students, professionals, and retirees
• Those looking for a much reliable and unafraid operating strategy without complications
• Those who want an operating strategy that will beryllium supported for up to 15 years

Which 1 is for you?

Honestly, either Fedora aliases Ubuntu is an outstanding prime for those looking for a rock-solid operating system. But if I had to sum some of them up for a circumstantial personification type, it would look thing for illustration this:

Ubuntu is for those who person small to nary acquisition pinch Linux, but want a overmuch much unchangeable and unafraid platform, and don't mind not having nan latest releases of nan package they use.

Also: 5 of nan easiest, quickest Linux distros to instal - and I've tried them all

Fedora is for those who worth speed, want much precocious released updates for their apps, and usage nan latest hardware.

In nan end, you could do a batch worse than either 1 of these Linux distributions.