Linux Mint vs Ubuntu: 3 Key Differences You Should Know 🍏💻
Summary
- Mint and Ubuntu differ in their graphical interfaces: Ubuntu has a design that is more Mac-like, while Mint is more Windows-like. 🍏💻
- Mint is built on top of Ubuntu, which means they share a lot of internal technology. 🔧
- Both operating systems have different approaches to software management, but both are a good choice for any user. 🌐
As an open-source operating system, Linux has a ton of distributions, which you might think of as flavors. 🍦 Among the most popular, and commonly recommended for those thinking of switching to Linux, are Linux Mint and Ubuntu. But how different are these two, and which is the best option for you? 🤔
How are Mint and Ubuntu similar?
Before we look at the differences, let's first establish what they are. Linux Mint and Ubuntu They're similar. Ubuntu is the older distribution, and Mint was built on the foundation laid by Ubuntu. Both use the Debian architecture as a base and therefore use the same type of DEB packages to install programs. 📦
So if you want install a program As a Mint user, 9 times out of 10, you can use Ubuntu's instructions and everything will work fine. Also, if you're a Linux terminal fanatic or want to be, many things are practically the same. You use the same commands to configure repositories or install files. 💻⚙️
Comparing the Desktop Environment
While things are more or less the same under the hood, the graphical interfaces (GUIs) of Mint and Ubuntu are quite different. I'd say that just a glance at the two, and you'd think they weren't related at all. Ubuntu, for example, looks very similar to Mac at first glance. 🍏🖥️
On the other hand, Linux Mint has a more Windows-like feel, something I discuss in depth in my article on what Linux Mint is. 🪟💚
This is mainly because these two operating systems use different desktop environments as defaults. Ubuntu uses one called GNOME, which gives you that Mac feel, while Mint uses Cinnamon, which is a bit more Windows-like. (On older laptops, you can also use Xfce, which looks very similar but is lighter.) 💻✨
Technically, you could switch these environments if you wanted, having Mint use GNOME and Ubuntu use Cinnamon. However, it's generally not recommended as they've been designed to work with your default desktop environment. ⚙️👨💻
Software Management
The differences between Mint and Ubuntu become even more pronounced when you look at how they handle software. Linux Mint uses its own software manager, which pulls packages from the official Mint repository (a place where programs and other stuff are stored for Linux users to easily retrieve) and presents them in an easy-to-understand menu. 🛠️📲
Just find the program you want, click "install," and that's it. Although, as I explain in my guide on how to set up Zoom on Linux, Mint's repository doesn't always have the most up-to-date files. Because of this, issues can sometimes arise. Still, I appreciate the software manager, and as a bonus, it has a ton of free Linux games too! 🎮
Ubuntu has an app store, which is managed by Canonical, the company that develops Ubuntu. It's quite solid and offers a wide variety of software, but it doesn't have the breadth of Linux Mint. 🚀📱 I also don't like that you have virtually no choice but to use it, as even downloaded installation files must be run through the store.
Still, on the plus side, almost any software you install, even if you did it through the terminal, will appear here, making it easier to keep track of what's on your system. I also get the impression that Ubuntu's app store is more up-to-date than Mint's—at least, that's what I found when trying to install it. install Slack. 📅✅
That said, since everything runs through the App Store, it's much easier to delete files in Ubuntu. You just need to open a list and that's it. In Linux Mint, if you install something through the terminal or an installer file, it won't appear in the Software Center, so you'll have to find and delete it manually. It's not a huge issue, but it's something to keep in mind. 🗑️🔍
Support for Problems
Linux, being an open-source operating system, means there's no helpline to call when you encounter problems. You have to search the web for any issues you're having or go to your distribution's forum and post your problem there. In either case, you hope someone in the community will be kind and helpful enough to come to the rescue. 💬🙏
The good news is, whether you're using Ubuntu or Linux Mint, the community will help you (or someone who's been there will). I've been using Linux Mint for over a decade and experimenting with Ubuntu for over five years, and I've been able to solve all of my problems—eventually! The exceptions are issues with Nvidia drivers on certain laptops and problems with specific games. 🎮💡
However, Ubuntu has a larger community and is also backed by Canonical's vast collection of documentation. This means that while getting started is pretty much the same, if you have a specific issue with your Mint installation, you'll likely end up having to use Ubuntu's solutions to see what works. It's usually not a problem, though there have been times when I've had to tweak a bit to get something working. 🔨📖
Should you use Linux Mint or Ubuntu?
Having used both Linux Mint and Ubuntu, I have to say the choice between them comes down to personal preference. I use Mint because I prefer the desktop environment and I like the way it manages software a little more. That said, I don't tear my hair out when I use Ubuntu either; it's just a little different. 🧑💻✨
Since the differences between them come down to how you interact with the GUI, I recommend trying both Ubuntu and Linux Mint for a while before making a decision. You can try them out using a virtual machine, or even just play around with them in your browser. 🖥️🌐
