The Best Linux Distros For Beginners In 2025 Make Switching From Macos Or Windows So Easy

Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

• Linux offers much security, privacy, and state from vendors.
• Modern Linux distros are user-friendly -- moreover for non-techies.
• Linux Mint, Zorin OS, MX Linux apical beginner distro list.

Why would you want to move to the Linux desktop? There are galore reasons, but nan short type is that nan operating strategy is much secure, provides acold much privacy, and frees you from vendor lock-in. For existent Windows users, it besides provides a measurement to proceed utilizing your Windows 10 PC moreover if your instrumentality cannot beryllium upgraded to Windows 11.

Besides, contrary to celebrated opinion, anyone tin usage and bask Linux arsenic a desktop operating system. I taught my then-mother-in-law, who was 79 years old, really to usage Ubuntu Linux, and we didn't moreover speak nan aforesaid language! If she could do it, you tin do it.

Also: 8 ways I quickly leveled up my Linux skills - and you tin too

Yes, Linux was erstwhile difficult to learn, but those days are agelong gone. Don't judge me? Ever usage an Android phone? A Chromebook? Congratulations, you're already a Linux user, but possibly you didn't cognize it.

If you want to, you tin dive heavy into Linux ammunition scripts and do each your activity from nan Bash shell, but cipher must do that anymore. There are old-school desktop distributions, specified arsenic Gentoo and Linux From Scratch, wherever you request to beryllium a Linux maven to make nan astir of them. But those distros aren't for you.

Also: The champion Linux laptops you tin buy: Expert tested for students, hobbyists, and pros

You request a Linux distribution that looks for illustration Windows pinch a gentle learning curve. I get that. While I've utilized Linux for complete 3 decades and Unix desktops earlier that, I cognize what it's for illustration to beryllium a caller user. It besides doesn't thief your business that location are hundreds of desktop Linux distributions to take from. Some are hard, but astir are simple.

I'm present to thief you prime nan type of Linux that will get you started connected nan correct foot. I've tested each these myself.

1. Linux Mint

Best Linux distribution for beginners wide

Price: Free | Core code: Ubuntu 24.04 | Open source: Yes

SJVN / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

Sick and tired of Windows? Hate nan thought of moving to Windows 11? Then see turning to Linux Mint, successful peculiar nan type utilizing nan Cinnamon interface. I'm a Linux powerfulness user, and my existent favourite desktop operating strategy is Linux Mint 22.1, and I highly urge it to beginners.

Mint, pinch respective desktop environments specified arsenic Cinnamon 6.4, looks a batch for illustration XP aliases Windows 7. It uses a Windows icon, menu, and pointer (WIMP) interface, overmuch for illustration nan 1 you astir apt already cognize and love. It's not a one-to-one lucifer pinch XP aliases Windows 7, but astir Windows users will find Cinnamon a comfortable fit. Linux users who grew up pinch nan GNOME 2.x style interface will besides emotion Cinnamon since it's based connected that classical Linux desktop interface.

Also: The 6 champion Linux distros for students - from simple to college

Like each Linux desktop distros, Mint is much than conscionable an operating strategy -- it besides comes pinch each nan package you need. LibreOffice 24.2.7 for agency activity and homework, Firefox 141 for web browsing, Thunderbird 128.5.2 for email and calendaring, and GIMP 2.10.36 for graphics editing. If you're a gamer, Linux Mint supports Steam, which useful nan aforesaid measurement it does connected Windows.

All of this is free.

Pros:

• Linux Mint is wholly free to download and use.
• Its Cinnamon interface intimately resembles Windows, making it acquainted for caller users.
• The built-in package installer programme is easy to navigate and instal applications.

Cons:

• Proprietary graphics drivers (eg Nvidia aliases AMD/ATI) are not included retired of nan box, though you tin adhd them.
• Snap package support isn't enabled by default, but you tin instal and alteration it if you request it.

2. Zorin OS

Best Linux distribution for those who for illustration Windows

Price: Free for basal and education; $47.99 Pro type | Core code: Ubuntu Linux 22.04 | Open source: Yes

Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

My ZDNET Linux brother, Jack Wallen, thinks Zorin 17.3 is nan champion Linux distro for Windows users because its look, feel, and package support make it easy for them to adjust. I can't reason -- he's right.

You tin easy set Zorin to activity and look for illustration Windows 7 aliases Windows 11. Or, for that matter, pinch nan Pro version ($47.99), you get six further layouts, 1 of which provides a MacOS look and consciousness if you prefer. It's up to you.

The Pro version besides comes pinch media software, including Kdenlive, a feature-rich, non-linear video editor; Inkscape for Adobe Illustrator -- for illustration graphics editing; Blender for animation and 3D creation; and Ardour for integer audio work.

Also: 6 astir Windows-like Linux distros because aged habits dice hard

Zorin 17.3 besides makes it easy to instal immoderate Windows programs. It comes fresh to instal 150 Windows apps aliases to propose alternatives. Underneath nan hood, location are a batch of moving parts, specified arsenic Wine and PlayOnLinux, but arsenic a caller Linux user, you don't request to interest astir those. All you must do is pick, install, and get backmost to activity aliases play.

When it comes to software, too nan accustomed battalion of celebrated Linux programs, Zorin comes pinch nan Brave web browser alternatively than Firefox, which is nan default browser successful almost each Linux distributions. That's because nan distro's developers judge Brave is nan champion browser coming for privacy.

So, if you've decided to return your first steps into Linux from Windows, you'll beryllium hard-pressed to find a amended prime than Zorin OS.

Pros:

• Zorin 17.3 is wholly free to download and use.
• It is easy to use, making it perfect for beginners transitioning from Windows.
• It includes built-in support for galore Windows programs, simplifying nan installation process.

Cons:

• The MacOS-style interface is only disposable successful nan paid Pro version.

3. Ubuntu

Great, easy-to-use Linux distribution for beginners

Price: Free for individuals/Variable commercialized pricing | Core code: Debian | Open source: Yes

Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

Ubuntu was often considered nan champion Linux distribution for caller users, and while others whitethorn clasp that title these days, it's a awesome distro for newbies. Indeed, if you've been looking intimately astatine nan notes, you'll spot that some Mint and Zorin OS are built connected Ubuntu's beardown foundations. That's because Ubuntu is simple, beginner-friendly, and has tons of community support. If you person a question, personification retired location has almost surely had nan aforesaid problem and recovered an reply to it.

By default, Ubuntu uses nan GNOME 3.x interface. It takes immoderate learning if each you've known earlier is Windows, but it's not that hard. Once you get accustomed to nan interface, you'll spot that it makes cleanable consciousness (and you mightiness moreover wonderment why different desktop operating systems don't travel suit).

Also: The easiest measurement to effort retired Ubuntu Linux

While nan astir caller type of this Linux is Ubuntu 25.04, I urge you usage nan existent semipermanent support (LTS) version, Ubuntu 24.04. That version has support for a twelve (yes, 12) years.

Pros:

• Ubuntu is good suited for some individual computers and firm environments.
• Ubuntu offers immoderate of nan champion hardware nickname available, ensuring astir devices activity retired of nan box.
• It includes built-in Snap support, giving you entree to thousands of applications.
• The Ubuntu 24.04 LTS version provides 12 years of charismatic support.

Cons:

• The GNOME 3.x interface whitethorn return caller users immoderate clip to study and get comfortable with.

4. Pop!_OS

Odd name, but it's a awesome desktop

Price: Free | Core code: Ubuntu | Open source: Yes

Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

You opportunity you don't want thing to do pinch installing Linux connected a desktop, and I can't person you that installing Linux connected a PC isn't hard. In that case, you could bargain a instrumentality that already has Linux connected it. If that attack useful for you, 1 of your champion choices is System76's high-end statement of desktops and laptops. These each travel pinch Pop!_OS arsenic their default Linux distro. Pop!_OS fits this hardware for illustration a glove.

Like galore different beginner-friendly Linuxes, Pop!_OS is based connected Ubuntu. Where it changes people is that its new, still wet-behind-the-ears, desktop interface is COSMIC. This interface whitethorn look for illustration GNOME, 1 of nan astir celebrated Linux desktops, but it's written successful Rust. As a caller user, you astir apt couldn't attraction little astir that fact. What's important to you is that it's accelerated and smooth. You should debar utilizing this distro connected a low-powered system. For those, you'll want MX Linux. Pop!_OS, however, will supply nan astir benefits from newer hardware.

Also: Installing apps connected Linux? 4 ways it's different than immoderate different OS - and mistakes to avoid

Another advantage for caller Linux users is that almost each its applications tin beryllium installed pinch a azygous click pinch nary fuss aliases muss. That's because Pop!_OS uses APT and Flatpak package management. This makes it arsenic elemental to install, remove, and update programs arsenic it is connected a smartphone.

Last, but not least, Pop!_OS is awesome for PC gaming. The distro supports Steam, Lutris, and GameHub for nan champion possible, ready-to-run machine games.

Pros:

• Pop!_OS delivers accelerated performance, making mundane tasks consciousness speedy and responsive.
• Its caller COSMIC desktop interface is soft and speedy while still offering a acquainted look.

Cons:

• Pop!_OS shines astir erstwhile paired pinch System76 hardware.

5. MX Linux

Best lightweight Linux distribution for beginners

Price: Free | Core code: Debian | Open source: Yes

mxlinux.org / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

Years ago, 1 of my favourite Linux desktops was MEPIS Linux. This Debian Linux–based distribution worked well. Eventually, though, its laminitis and maintainer, Warren Woodford, had to move his attraction to different business. MEPIS's fans joined forces pinch nan related antiX Linux organization and revived nan task arsenic MX Linux.

Today, it's a good, solid, lightweight desktop that uses Xfce arsenic its interface. MX Linux useful well, and it's very popular. What I for illustration astir about this distro is that it's beginner-friendly, easy to prime up, and you tin tally it connected moreover ancient Pentium II gear. In short, it's perfect if you want to get your feet bedewed pinch Linux connected a PC that would different beryllium collecting particulate successful your closet.

Also: Ready to ditch Windows? 'End of 10' makes converting your PC to Linux easier than ever

But you don't person to return my connection for it. On Distrowatch, nan tract that tracks each Linux desktops, MX Linux has almost ever been astatine nan apical of nan database recently. They must beryllium doing thing right.

The newest version disposable coming is MX-Linux 23.5.

Pros:

• MX Linux runs smoothly connected overmuch older computers.
• MX Linux offers a lightweight Xfce desktop that's easy to study and prime up.

Cons:

• Upgrading from 1 awesome merchandise to different requires you to do a caller installation.