The best Linux distros of 2020
Linux is a powerful and fully customizable operating system. It offers an endless number of distributions that differ significantly from each other, offering complete personalization to all applications. Trust us; it gives MacOS and Windows a run for their money.
The number of distros that Linux has would take way too much time for you to sift through. To help you narrow down your search, we’ve compiled a list of the best distros that Linux has to offer.
Mint
Linux Mint makes an effort to straddle the line between stability and power. It’s not too resource-intensive, and it is conservative about updates, meaning there is little chance of installing a broken or unstable update that will require tedious system regressions. Mint users can also instantly play media from CDs, MP3s, and videos due to Linux’s better support for proprietary media files.
Linux Mint further mitigates headaches for users by using an update manager. By supporting many accessible desktop environments like Cinnamon (by far the most popular version of Linux Mint), Mate, and Xfce, as well as native support for a long list of applications, it lets users customize their update schedules to suit their needs
Ubuntu
Ubuntu remains one of the most popular Linux distros in existence, even though it originally premiered more than a decade ago. It’s also the most widely used distro to date and even comes pre-installed on desktops and laptops manufactured by HP, Dell, and Acer .
Every other year, Ubuntu provides annual developer canonical releases with long-term support (LTS), which means that users can enjoy five years of maintenance, security, and general updates without having to update their devices every few months.
openSUSE
SUSE Linux and SUSE Linus Professional, openSUSE is another popular distro because of its interface flexibility and simple file installation. Sys-admins and developers will find this program particularly useful due to its rigorous security protocols, but the OS breaks down into the versions openSUSE Tumbleweed, openSUSE Leap, and openSUSE.
OpenSUSE uses a program called YaST, which is essentially a portal through which you can manage your computer and tweak settings to your liking. YaST makes it easy to install a large number of popular desktop interfaces — everything from KDE and LXDE to Gnome, Mate, and several others. These interfaces can even run simultaneously via YaST and switch to and from each other on the fly.
Fedora
t’s a flexible OS with three separate options depending on your needs. A workstation, server, and cloud-centric version are all available. Furthermore, the workstation version has excellent tools for specific needs, such as gaming, design, and even robotics, among others. Fedora primarily uses the GNOME 3 interface, but versions using different desktop environments are available.
Fedora Server allows users to run software on cloud-based or physical Linux-based servers. Webmasters and sys-admins with knowledge of any OS can use the latest and greatest proprietary and open-source software. Those interested in a one-stop shop for their Linux networks can take advantage of DNS services, certificate integration, Windows domain integration, and identity management .
Debian
Debian is an excellent choice for both workstations and server systems. The workstation version comes with pre-installed programs like a Photoshop alternative, GIMP, Iceweasel internet browser, LibreOffice word processor, and VLC media player. Debian has three branches available—stable, testing, and unstable—depending on how much maintenance and testing you wish to put into your OS.
Manjaro
Manjaro is based on another Linux distro called Arch. Both aim to provide bleeding-edge software without bogging down your PC, but Manjaro is more beginner-friendly. The parent program Arch is fine-tuned for advanced, tech-savvy users who can navigate the back end of Linux better than Mickey Mouse at Disney World. Instead, the Manjaro software focuses on ease of use and friendliness for newcomers and advanced users alike, without stripping all the good stuff that makes Arch great.
