This list is based on popular technology websites, industry publications, and user forums. This information has been gathered from the web as of 2021, and it reflects the opinions and experiences of a wide range of technology experts and users. The list is intended to provide a general idea of the best Linux distributions for different use cases based on their popularity, stability, and support, and should be considered as a starting point for further research and evaluation.
Here’s a list of the top 10 Linux distributions based on popularity and usage:
- Ubuntu – a popular, user-friendly distribution with a large user community and a wide range of software available.
- Fedora – a community-driven distribution sponsored by Red Hat, known for its cutting-edge software and fast release cycles.
- Debian – a widely-used, stable distribution with a large repository of software packages.
- CentOS – a community-driven distribution based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux, widely used for servers and enterprise applications.
- Mint – a user-friendly distribution based on Ubuntu, with a focus on ease of use and pre-installed software.
- Arch Linux – a rolling release distribution known for its simplicity, minimalism, and customizability.
- Manjaro – a user-friendly, rolling release distribution based on Arch Linux.
- RHEL (Red Hat Enterprise Linux) – a commercial distribution widely used in the enterprise for servers, cloud, and other mission-critical applications.
- OpenSUSE – a community-driven distribution known for its YaST configuration tool and user-friendly desktop environment.
- Elementary OS – a user-friendly distribution with a focus on simplicity and design, based on Ubuntu.
There are other other high-quality Linux distributions that are available, thus this list is not intended to be comprehensive. Depending on your individual needs and preferences, you can choose the correct distribution.
Here’s a list of the best Linux distributions for different use cases:
- Enterprise: Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and CentOS – widely used for servers and enterprise applications, offering stable, secure, and well-supported environments.
- Server: Ubuntu Server, Debian, and CentOS – widely used for servers due to their stability, large repositories of software packages, and ease of use.
- Productivity: Ubuntu, Mint, and Fedora – user-friendly distributions with a wide range of productivity software available, and a strong focus on ease of use.
- Cloud: Ubuntu, Fedora, and CentOS – widely used for cloud computing due to their stability, ease of use, and support for cloud-specific features and technologies.
This list is not exhaustive, and the choice of distribution depends on specific needs and requirements. For example, a cloud environment may require a minimal, lightweight distribution, while an enterprise environment may require a more robust, feature-rich distribution.