Linux Mint
A polished, traditional desktop built on Ubuntu LTS that feels familiar to Windows users.
Best for: First-time Linux users who want something that just works.
- Base
- Ubuntu (LTS)
- Package manager
- apt (Flatpak included, no Snap by default)
- Release model
- fixed
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Desktops
- Cinnamon, MATE, Xfce
Pros
- Very beginner friendly
- Stable and predictable
- Familiar layout
Worth knowing
- Software is not the newest, and the project is moving to a longer release cycle
- Slower to adopt new desktop technology such as Wayland
Try Linux Mint before you install it
Download the official image from linuxmint.com, write it to a USB stick with a tool such as balenaEtcher or Ventoy, restart, and pick the USB stick from your boot menu. Choose the “try” option and nothing on your computer changes.
Last verified October 28, 2026 (medium confidence). Base, editions and no-Snap policy confirmed via news coverage of the Mint team. Mint 23 (Ubuntu 26.04 base) is planned for December 2026, so re-check then. Confirm on linuxmint.com before launch.