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There’s a distro that’ll ease the transition.
A Windows update messed up your boot loader?
There’s a distro that’ll help you fix it in a jiffy.
Want to resurrect an old computer?
Need to tie disks into aNAS?
Want to run afirewallthat’ll shield your entire connection?
Are you setting up a small home office?
No matter what your requirement, the diverse open source community has a distro for you.
In this guide, well look at some of the best Linux distros available in 2025.
Here then are what we think are the best Linux distros in 2025.
Best Linux distro for new users
1.
Nitrux
If you are just taking your first steps in Linux, you should begin your journey with Nitrux.
The latest version Nitrux 2.7.1 “sh” uses version 5.27.3 of the Plasma Desktop.
Nitrux has even customized some administration apps to make tasks such as firewall and backup approachable for inexperienced users.
It ships with a healthy dose of apps for all kinds of desktop tasks.
The distro also supports and encourages the use of AppImages, which makes it straightforward to install additional apps.
In fact, Nitrux plans to switch all its graphical apps to AppImages eventually.
Just hit the corresponding icon at the top of Nitrux’s main page.
you could find some help with basic installation by reading the release notes for the latest version.
Looking for something to start with?
Heres our list of thebest Linux distros for beginners.
Best Linux distro for beginners
12.
This may be because its available with a number of easy to navigate desktop environments.
The default is GNOME but there are variations like Kubuntu which use KDE.
The main website also has extensive documentation to help you get to grips with the OS.
A new version of Ubuntu is released every April and October.
Canonical support standard releases for 9 months before it’s crucial that you upgrade.
Every 2 years LTS (Long Term Support) versions are released, which are supported for five years.
Looking for an OS that’s designed for programmers?
We’ve featured thebest Linux distro for developers.
Best Linux distro for Windows users
2.
Zorin is available in multiple different editions.
Three of these, namely Core, Lite, and Education, are offered as free downloads.
There’s also an ‘Education Lite’ edition for older school PCs.
Besides these, there’s another version called the Pro edition, which is currently available for $39.
Purchase of ‘Pro’ includes ‘Pro Lite’, so you could run it on older machines too.
Read our fullZorin OS review.
Looking for more Windows-friendly Linux options?
Here are thebest Linux distros for Windows users
Best Linux distro for gaming
3.
The distro has several interesting features, which make it an interesting option, especially for gamers.
For instance, its developers ensure that hybrid graphics work flawlessly on the platform.
Youll also be able to easily toggle between battery-saving and high-powered graphics.
There are a few of editions of Pop!_OS.
There’s also a build for the Raspberry Pi 4.
Want more fun from your Linux distro?
We feature thebest Linux distro for gaming.
Best Linux distro for small business
4.
It uses the GNOME Desktop environment.
There’s a huge community who work to make Rocky compatible and write extensive documentation on the main website.
The install takes a long time relative to other Linux distros.
Searching for an OS to help you initiate the office?
We’ve featured thebest Linux distros for small businesses.
Best Linux distro for servers
5.
Ubuntu Server
In some aspects, the Ubuntu Server edition is just as popular as the desktop version.
Ubuntu produces both LTS and non-LTS releases of the server just as with the desktop.
The latest LTS release will be supported for 10 years until 2032.
Read our fullUbuntu review.
Looking to start a home server?
We’ve featured thebest Linux Server distros.
Best Linux distro for privacy
6.
The latest edition of the distro is based on Ubuntu and uses a customized Xfce desktop.
If you have the know-how you might easily tweak its controls to connect through your own VPN service.
Similarly, to enhance your security, Kodachi uses AppArmor to isolate apps.
Kodachi has excellent anti-forensics features.
Want a more secure distro?
We featured thebest Linux distros for privacy and security.
Best Linux distro for repair
7.
The distro uses the lightweight LXDE desktop which makes it usable even on underpowered machines.
When it boots up, the distro automatically fires up its custom helper system called Rescapp.
The app is intuitive to operate and makes the process of fixing errors accessible even to inexperienced users.
The buttons inside each of the categories have descriptive labels that will identify their function.
The Rescatux project also hosts lots of guides and instructional videos to help inexperienced users.
Each release of Rescatux is based on the most recent stable version of Debian.
Looking for a way to bring your machine back to life?
We’ve featured thebest Linux repair and rescue distros.
Best Linux distro for pen testing
8.
Very thoughtfully the developers also allow you to encrypt this persistent partition for maximum security.
The distro has a large selection of tools that are neatly filed inside a categorized menu.
Need a distro for cybersecurity?
Heres our list of thebest forensic and pentesting Linux distros.
Best Linux distro for NAS
9.
The distro is easy to install and can be easily managed through its intuitive web app-based administration interface.
Read our fullOpen Media Vault review.
Looking for more Linux media server options?
We’ve featured thebest NAS & media server distros.
Best Linux distro for USB
10.
All of these are designed for use from removable, rewritable media such as USB drives and SD cards.
The distro boots up fast and enables persistent storage by default.
The Porteus boot menu offers some interesting options.
you might also use ‘Always Fresh’ mode to prevent changes being written to the boot media.
Want an OS you could carry in your pocket?
Heres the entire list of thebest USB bootable distros.
Best Arch-based Linux distro
11.
Manjaro
Arch Linux is one of the most versatile distros that follows a rolling release model.
It also has one of the most cumbersome and involved installation processes.
The distro is available in several different official and community-supported flavours, each with different desktop environments.
The distro is complimented by ample documentation and a very active and helpful community of users.
Read our fullManjaro review.
We’ve also featured thebest Arch-based Linux distros.
Best lightweight Linux distro
12.
The project is in fact a family of distros, each based on a different underlying distro.
The ‘Slackware’ edition (pictured) is based on that OS.
Theres an app for virtually every task that you could perform on a desktop.
It isnt a surprise though that Puppy skips over mainstream apps in favor of lightweight options.
Looking for an OS that won’t max out smaller hard drives?
We’ve featured thebest lightweight Linux distros.
Best Linux distro for power users
13.
The downside of this dexterity however is that Archs installation is an involved process.
Configuration files must be set by hand and everything from partitioning to installing the bootloader must be done manually.
Though the process is well documented it is still cumbersome for the average desktop Linux user.
Feel like getting more advanced with your Linux OS?
We’ve featured thebest Linux distros for power users.
Best firewall Linux distro
14.
OPNsense
Thanks to its inline intrusion prevention system, OPNsense is one of the best firewall distros around.
Furthermore, it doesnt just provide a stateful firewall, but several other internet services as well.
OPNsense enjoys regular weekly security updates, ensuring that any threats are mitigated in a timely fashion.
OPNsense is actually derived from the efforts of two mature open source projects, namely pfSense, and m0n0wall.
Need an OS that protects your privacy?
We’ve featured thebest Linux firewall distros.
Best Linux distro for Raspberry Pi
15.
The custom desktop doesnt just save resources for other crucial tasks, but also looks elegant and inviting.
Nevertheless, this is still very much a general-purpose Linux distro.
This might be better for resource-heavy apps like Zoom, as the Pi’s hardware is limited.
Searching for a new OS for your Raspberry Pi?
We’ve featured thebest Raspberry Pi distros.
Best Linux distro for education
16.
The distro is the result of the collaboration between the two projects that lend it its name.
Looking for an OS for your classroom?
We’ve also featured thebest Linux distros for education.
Best niche Linux distro
17.
EasyOS
EasyOS is an experimental project by the original developer of Puppy Linux.
EasyOS uses containers to create a secure, yet easy to use and manage distro.
This helps it isolate individual apps and can even run complete distros with minimal overhead.
Despite the name, there’s nothing particularly easy about EasyOS.
It’s quite different from the well-knownLinux desktopdistros most people will be used to.
Read our fullEasyOS review.
Looking for something a little different?
Heres our complete list of thebest weird and wonderful niche Linux distros.
Best Linux distro FAQs
What is a Linux distro?
That’s where distros come in.
Beyond that, the world is your oyster.
Decide what you want to achieve with Linux, and use that as a basis for your distro research.
From there, we look at ongoing support, frequency of updates, and expansion options where available.
Read how we test, rate, and review products on TechRadar.
