With the world moving towards the next generation of computer hardware, the software side of things still has a lot left to be discovered. With most laptops coming with windows pre-installed, many users are devoid of the Linux operating system experience, which is arguably leaner and more resource-friendly than other mainstream OS. It can also be attributed to the difficulty people face when installing a new operating system like Linux. However, many of these issues are fixed nowadays thanks to names like Debian and Ubuntu, who have been instrumental in making Linux-based operating systems as user-friendly as possible. But in the case of Ubuntu vs. Debian, which one is better suited for you?
In this comparison of Ubuntu vs Debian, start by learning about each OS from a grassroots level before getting into the technical details.
Brief Description of Ubuntu vs. Debian
Ubuntu is an open-source Linux distribution based on Debian. Ubuntu, sponsored by Canonical Ltd., is regarded as a suitable first distribution for newcomers. Although it was designed primarily for personal computers, you may also use it on servers. GNOME, a graphical user interface and suite of desktop apps for Linux, is used in the standard version of Ubuntu. GNOME is designed to be comparable to the Windows desktop experience to make Linux easier for non-programmers.
The Debian Linux project is a community-driven endeavor that conforms to the ideals of Open Source Software. Debian-based operating systems are an example of a contemporary and widely used Linux operating system. The Debian project distinguishes itself among other Linux projects because of its widespread community support, vast package repositories, and free project management approach. Debian Linux also has several useful features that are beneficial to both novice and expert users.
Now, you will compare their unique offerings in the next section to get a better idea of Ubuntu vs. Debian.
Features of Ubuntu vs. Debian
Ubuntu
- User-Friendly: It's a wonderful Linux distribution to start with—and if you're pleased with it, it's a terrific Linux distribution to stick with after you're more experienced. There is an "Additional Drivers" program that will discover and install any closed-source drivers that may be required to get all of your gear operating.
- Corporate Backing: Canonical is in charge of releasing six-monthly landmark releases and periodic LTS releases for enterprise business usage, as well as security patches, support, and the overall online architecture for community involvement. Canonical is trusted by businesses to maintain, protect, and manage Ubuntu systems and devices.
- Calamares Installer: The calamares installer framework strives to be simple, useful, elegant, pragmatic, inclusive, and distribution-independent. Calamares has a comprehensive partitioning capability that supports manual and automatic partitioning operations.
Debian
- Global Contributors: Debian is a community-driven distribution. An elected board of developers administers it. With its own internal structure, the board also has a set of rules to follow. Almost everyone who contributes to Debian works as a freelancer. It is fully community-driven, with programmers from all around the world maintaining and developing it.
- Free Software: Debian's repositories exclusively include free and open-source software. It is also feasible to add repositories containing proprietary software if you need it. Debian's repository of exclusively pure open-source software is, in reality, something that draws consumers to it.
- Bug-Free: Debian's standard version is highly reliable since it rigorously tests software and libraries. Because of its dependability, Debian Stable is an ideal server operating system. This is one of the grounds why many developers utilize Debian as the foundation for their derivative distributions, like Ubuntu.
Now that you understand the primary selling point of these operating systems, take a look at some of the installation guidelines for Debian and Ubuntu.
How to Install Ubuntu and Debian?
Ubuntu |
Debian |
|
Supports only 64-bit and ARM devices |
Wide support for devices with 32-bit systems and miniature boards |
|
Installation is easy with the calamares framework |
Installation of proprietary variant needs a lot of website navigation |
|
You can download the latest ISO at: https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop |
The latest live-boot ISO can be found at: https://www.debian.org/CD/live/ |
Before you sum up this recommendation depending on use-cases, go through a direct comparison between Debian and Ubuntu.
Which OS to Go For?
Ubuntu |
Debian |
|
Design decisions taken by Canonical |
Open-source & community-driven |
|
Worse performance than base distributions |
Performance is superior due to bare-bones architecture |
|
Pre-installs proprietary packages as per market need |
Comes with free software pre-installed with all variants |
|
Much more compatible with newer graphic and sound cards |
Has the occasional hiccup with latest graphics and Wi-Fi drivers |
|
Smooth Gaming can be expected for Linux compatible titles |
Gaming is not a priority, at least not as much as privacy of the user |
After going through each operating system’s features, you can see the choice is very much use case dependent.
Ubuntu
- Amateur users with little to no Linux experience
- Latest versions of packages and applications
- Customization and complete control over OS is not necessary
- Perfect for users with newer hardware and desktop needs
Debian
- Somewhat experienced users who can fix minor bugs
- Want to support the open-source approach from the OS level
- Gaming is not necessary when using a Linux distribution
- Fitting OS for server systems due to low memory overhead
With that, you have reached the end of this comparison between Ubuntu and Debian.
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Conclusion
In this tutorial on Ubuntu vs. Debian, you covered the basics of two beginner-friendly Linux distributions and went through their unique features. It also looked into installation basics and requirements while directly comparing Ubuntu and Debian for easier decision-making. However, starting with Linux is the first and one of the most vital steps in your journey into cyber security.
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Do you have any questions about Ubuntu vs. Debian? Do let us know below in the comments box, and we will get back to you soon.
