Linux Mint Vs. Zorin Os: How To Pick Between These Windows Alternatives

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ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

• Both Linux Mint and Zorin OS are awesome operating systems.
• You'll find easiness of usage and a wide scope of supported hardware.
• Find retired which of these is champion suited for your needs.

Zorin OS saw a melodramatic uptick successful downloads aft nan extremity of Windows 10. Within a two-day stretch, Zorin OS had complete 100,000 downloads, which was a grounds for nan distribution.

Meanwhile, Linux Mint has been 1 of nan astir celebrated distributions for immoderate time. 

Given that some of these distributions are enjoying a continued emergence successful popularity, on pinch nan extremity of Windows 10 support, you mightiness beryllium looking astatine 1 aliases nan different to service arsenic either your first aliases your adjacent Linux distribution. Do a speedy hunt and you'll find countless articles claiming why 1 is amended than nan different (or why 1 is amended than them all). 

That astir apt doesn't thief you determine which Linux distribution to try.

Let maine spot if I tin thief you pinch that decision.

Linux Mint: Who is it for?

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Since it's truthful popular, let's commencement pinch Linux Mint.

Linux Mint is based connected Ubuntu, truthful it enjoys a rock-solid and user-friendly base. On apical of that, Ubuntu has outstanding hardware recognition, acknowledgment to nan HWE (Hardware Enablement) kernel, which is recovered successful Ubuntu Long-Term Support (LTS) releases. The HWE kernel offers amended support for newer hardware while maintaining strategy stability. 

Also: Linux Mint 22 is official! Here's what's caller and really to effort it for yourself

On apical of that, Linux Mint defaults to nan Cinnamon desktop environment. Cinnamon will beryllium instantly acquainted to caller users because it's laid retired for illustration immoderate modular PC desktop, pinch a panel, commencement menu, strategy tray, and clickable icons. Cinnamon is incredibly easy to use, but not terribly flexible.

That deficiency of elasticity is simply a choice, arsenic it ensures a unchangeable situation that is much challenging to break than, say, Xfce.

So, correct retired of nan gate, you person a coagulated guidelines and a user-friendly desktop environment. Those 2 elements unsocial make for an operating strategy that anyone tin reliably (and enjoyably) use. Linux Mint has a near-zero learning curve for Windows users. 

And then, there's nan deficiency of telemetry. Linux Mint does not spy connected you, push ads connected you, aliases see immoderate unwanted features (such arsenic AI).

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

Additionally, Linux Mint:

• Uses a minimal magnitude of RAM (especially compared to Windows)
• Performs brilliantly connected older hardware
• Is optimized for SSDs pinch due TRIM support
• Offers respective powerfulness modes for amended powerfulness management
• Allows for theming, applets, desklets, and precocious workspace management

So, who is Linux Mint perfect for?

• Windows 10 users who want to time off Microsoft OSes and don't want to woody pinch immoderate benignant of learning curve.
• Those pinch older aliases newer PCs.
• Users who want a rock-solid OS.
• Users who worth their privacy.
• Users who want semipermanent support.

Zorin OS: Who is it for?

We now sojourn yet different distribution that's based connected Ubuntu.

As I said earlier, Zorin OS has seen an awesome uptick successful fame since October 2025. Those who've been utilizing aliases testing Zorin OS for years already cognize why this Linux distribution is 1 of nan champion options for caller and aged users alike.

Zorin OS is arsenic easy to usage arsenic immoderate operating strategy connected nan market.

Also: Why Zorin OS 18 mightiness beryllium nan caller champion Linux distro - and I've tried them all

Sure, I tin make that declare astir respective Linux distributions, but Zorin OS takes that ease-of-use to caller levels.

First, there's nan desktop environment. Zorin OS allows you to prime from 4 different layouts. You tin besides acquisition nan Pro type for a one-time interest of $47. The Pro type gives you six further layouts (including a MacOS-like option), truthful you tin person nan nonstop desktop interface you want.

Thanks to nan Zorin Appearance app, you tin move nan desktop layout immoderate clip you like.

Let's spot different operating strategy do that pinch specified ease.

To make this moreover much appealing, each of nan desktop layouts is highly polished and refined. The developers person gone to awesome lengths to make judge nan UI is stunning, nary matter which layout you select.

Zorin OS has different cool instrumentality up its sleeve.

Let's opportunity you hide that you're not utilizing Windows and you download a Windows app to install. You double-click connected that .exe aliases .msi record to motorboat nan installer, and Zorin OS will alternatively pass you of Linux-compatible alternatives you tin install. 

For example, if you were to download an installer for MS Office, Zorin OS would astir apt urge you instal LibreOffice.

How useful is that?

Also: Zorin simplifies nan task of installing Windows apps connected Linux. Here's how   

Like astir Linux distributions, Zorin OS besides includes a GUI app shop that makes installing applications incredibly easy. With nan Zorin OS app store, you get categorized app browsing, a powerful hunt tool, one-click installation, Flatpak and Snap integration, and tons of apps from which to take (both open-source and proprietary).

Because Zorin OS uses an Ubuntu base, you get nan aforesaid level of hardware compatibility arsenic recovered successful Linux Mint. You besides get a bully postulation of preinstalled software, including:

• LibreOffice
• Firefox
• Thunderbird
• GIMP
• VLC Media Player

From nan start, Zorin OS is fresh to go. And pinch Flatpak/Snap integration, you tin easy instal nan proprietary apps you need, specified arsenic Spotify and Slack.

On apical of those features, Zorin OS besides includes:

• Zorin Connect - to create a seamless relationship betwixt Linux and Android
• Painless upgrades
• Pre-installed gaming devices (such arsenic Steam and Lutris)
• Outstanding accessibility tools
• Does not cod immoderate information and doesn't see AI
• Built-in model snapping

Which 1 is for you?

I'm going to make this easy for those who mightiness still beryllium wondering which 1 to choose. The breakdown is simple. 

• Use Linux Mint if you want a modern, stable, and privacy-respecting operating strategy that offers superior hardware support, easiness of use, and a Windows-like UI.
• Use Zorin OS if you want a modern, stable, and privacy-respecting operating strategy that offers superior hardware support, aggregate desktop layouts to take from, simplifies syncing pinch your Android phone, and supports some Flatpak and Snap applications.

Also: How to take nan correct Linux desktop distribution for you

In each honesty, you cannot spell incorrect pinch either choice. In nan end, if you want a much modern-looking desktop environment, spell pinch Zorin OS. If you for illustration to instrumentality pinch nan old-school, Windows-like layout, Linux Mint is your champion choice.