{
 "schemaVersion": 1,
 "generated": "2026-10-30",
 "dataLicense": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
 "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
 "notice": "Data from Open Source Everything (https://opensourceeverything.org), licensed CC BY-SA 4.0: use it freely, credit the site, link to the page, and share changes under the same license. Listings were drafted with AI assistance and are managed by the r/TrueOpenSource moderators; check a project's own page before relying on a fact.",
 "id": "distros-beginner",
 "name": "Linux for people leaving Windows or Mac",
 "page": "https://opensourceeverything.org/g/distros-beginner/",
 "category": "os",
 "categoryName": "Computer systems & Linux",
 "job": "An easy Linux system for someone switching from Windows or macOS",
 "closedApps": [
  "Microsoft Windows",
  "macOS"
 ],
 "coverage": "one-full",
 "alternatives": [
  {
   "id": "elementary-os",
   "name": "elementary OS",
   "page": "https://opensourceeverything.org/p/elementary-os/",
   "summary": "elementary OS is a free Linux operating system, a replacement for Windows or macOS on a computer. It is built for people who want an easy, polished desktop and are switching from other systems.",
   "kind": "app",
   "setup": "easy",
   "setupWhy": "Install it like a normal app, or use it in your browser.",
   "platforms": [
    "linux"
   ],
   "license": "GPL-3.0",
   "licenseClass": "open",
   "licenseNeedsCheck": false,
   "stars": 1196,
   "forks": null,
   "status": "active",
   "verified": false,
   "latestRelease": null,
   "code": "https://github.com/elementary/os",
   "website": "https://elementary.io",
   "download": null,
   "release": null,
   "family": null,
   "familyChildren": [],
   "howToHelp": null,
   "project": "elementary-os",
   "rank": 1,
   "fit": "full",
   "note": null,
   "why": "Does the whole job · Easy setup",
   "score": 66.2
  },
  {
   "id": "linux-mint",
   "name": "Linux Mint",
   "page": "https://opensourceeverything.org/p/linux-mint/",
   "summary": "Linux Mint is a free desktop operating system for laptops and computers, designed to work out of the box with the apps most people need. It is aimed especially at people switching from Windows or trying Linux for the first time.",
   "kind": "app",
   "setup": "advanced",
   "setupWhy": "An operating system: installing it means replacing or sitting alongside your computer or phone's current system, which is more than installing an app.",
   "platforms": [
    "linux"
   ],
   "license": "GPL-3.0-or-later",
   "licenseClass": "open",
   "licenseNeedsCheck": false,
   "stars": null,
   "forks": null,
   "status": "active",
   "verified": true,
   "latestRelease": null,
   "code": null,
   "website": "https://linuxmint.com",
   "download": "https://linuxmint.com/download.php",
   "release": null,
   "family": {
    "relation": "built-on",
    "of": "ubuntu",
    "ofName": "Ubuntu",
    "ofUrl": null,
    "since": null,
    "text": "Uses Ubuntu underneath",
    "why": "Based on Ubuntu and uses its package repositories.",
    "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_Mint"
   },
   "familyChildren": [],
   "howToHelp": null,
   "project": "linux-mint",
   "rank": 2,
   "fit": "partial",
   "note": "The project's own description is not provided, so the fit rests on the proposed job alone.",
   "why": "Does part of the job · Verified · Advanced setup",
   "score": 36.4
  },
  {
   "id": "pop-os",
   "name": "Pop!_OS",
   "page": "https://opensourceeverything.org/p/pop-os/",
   "summary": "Pop!_OS is a free Linux operating system that runs on computers and aims to be secure and easy to customize. It is made for people who want a productive desktop, including those who buy System76 hardware.",
   "kind": "app",
   "setup": "advanced",
   "setupWhy": "An operating system: installing it means replacing or sitting alongside your computer or phone's current system, which is more than installing an app.",
   "platforms": [
    "linux"
   ],
   "license": "GPL-3.0",
   "licenseClass": "open",
   "licenseNeedsCheck": false,
   "stars": null,
   "forks": null,
   "status": "active",
   "verified": false,
   "latestRelease": null,
   "code": "https://github.com/pop-os",
   "website": "https://system76.com/pop/",
   "download": null,
   "release": null,
   "family": {
    "relation": "built-on",
    "of": "ubuntu",
    "ofName": "Ubuntu",
    "ofUrl": null,
    "since": null,
    "text": "Uses Ubuntu underneath",
    "why": "Based on Ubuntu; developed by System76.",
    "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pop!_OS"
   },
   "familyChildren": [],
   "howToHelp": null,
   "project": "pop-os",
   "rank": 3,
   "fit": "partial",
   "note": "No README was provided, so ease of use for beginners is not confirmed here.",
   "why": "Does part of the job · Advanced setup",
   "score": 32.4
  },
  {
   "id": "ubuntu",
   "name": "Ubuntu",
   "page": "https://opensourceeverything.org/p/ubuntu/",
   "summary": "Ubuntu is a Linux operating system that runs on desktop computers, servers and cloud systems. It is made by Canonical and aimed at developers, businesses and home users who want a free, open alternative to Windows or macOS.",
   "kind": "app",
   "setup": "advanced",
   "setupWhy": "An operating system: installing it means replacing or sitting alongside your computer or phone's current system, which is more than installing an app.",
   "platforms": [
    "linux",
    "server"
   ],
   "license": "GPL-3.0",
   "licenseClass": "open",
   "licenseNeedsCheck": false,
   "stars": null,
   "forks": null,
   "status": "active",
   "verified": false,
   "latestRelease": null,
   "code": null,
   "website": "https://ubuntu.com",
   "download": "https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop",
   "release": null,
   "family": {
    "relation": "built-on",
    "of": "debian",
    "ofName": "Debian",
    "ofUrl": null,
    "since": null,
    "text": "Uses Debian underneath",
    "why": "A Linux distribution based on Debian.",
    "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubuntu"
   },
   "familyChildren": [
    {
     "id": "linux-mint",
     "name": "Linux Mint",
     "relation": "built-on"
    },
    {
     "id": "pop-os",
     "name": "Pop!_OS",
     "relation": "built-on"
    }
   ],
   "howToHelp": null,
   "project": "ubuntu",
   "rank": 4,
   "fit": "partial",
   "note": "No README given, so ease for newcomers is not confirmed here.",
   "why": "Does part of the job · Advanced setup",
   "score": 30.4
  }
 ],
 "source": "https://opensourceeverything.org/g/distros-beginner/",
 "group": "Linux for people leaving Windows or Mac",
 "replaces": [
  "Microsoft Windows",
  "macOS"
 ]
}