Linux Mint 22 Posted on 12/30/2024 9:04:17 AM PST by ShadowAce
As the year winds down, it’s that time again when the internet is flooded with articles declaring which Linux distribution was the best of the year—this time, for 2024.
These pieces can be fun to read, but let’s be honest: almost no one fully agrees with the opinions they present. If I dare say, even the authors themselves might not be entirely convinced by the conclusions they’ve written.
The reason is simple: there has never been—and never will be—a single “best Linux distribution.” It all comes down to one essential question: what is the specific use case for a given distribution?
I’m trying to say that nothing can universally apply to every need. There is no such thing as one-size-fits-all. Even “general-purpose” Linux distros, designed to strike a balance between desktop and server use, often have better alternatives for specific scenarios.
That said, while I don’t want to impose an opinion, three golden rules often determine whether a distribution is good enough to be considered among the best:
I’ll start with the second point, the level of support. Unfortunately, this automatically rules out smaller Linux distributions from being considered among the “best.” Don’t get me wrong—I deeply admire the passion and dedication of individual developers or small teams who pour their heart and soul into their projects. Their hard work deserves recognition.
However, with all due respect, I can’t recommend something as “the best” that’s making waves today but might disappear next year because one of its three developers decides, for whatever reason, to walk away.
This naturally narrows the field to the big names backed by companies or the truly large, community-driven Linux distros that have stood the test of time. These are the ones that ensure professional, reliable, and timely updates with a level of quality that you can count on.
Now, let’s move on to the first point: scope. For over 15 years, I’ve used Arch exclusively (yes, BTW, every single day). But I would never call it the “best” Linux distribution—because it’s not. I wouldn’t even consider using it for my server needs. Also, I turn to a specific immutable distro when running containerized workloads instead. The bottom line? The best distribution depends entirely on its purpose.
Regarding the third and final point—the learning curve—the solution is straightforward. A Linux distribution should provide users with tools that make basic tasks (like installation, software management, patching, etc.) easy to handle. Ideally, these tools should also be widely adopted across other distributions.
Of course, more complex tasks will always require advanced command-line skills, and that’s perfectly fine. My point is that the learning curve should be designed with at least the intermediate Linux user in mind if not the beginner. Additionally, documentation must be detailed, professional, and easy to follow.
Here’s the point. An advanced Linux user will feel perfectly fine using user-friendly distributions like Mint or Ubuntu. However, the reverse is not true. It could be a disaster for a novice Linux user—someone for whom Linux and Ubuntu are the same things—to run into something like Arch.
With that in mind, I’ve outlined below the distros I highly recommend as some of the top releases for 2024. Let me emphasize again: there’s no such thing as a single “best” distribution. Anyone claiming otherwise is likely steering you in the wrong direction.
The desktop Linux world is an especially dynamic and fast-evolving space, gaining more and more followers over the years. In 2024, we’ve seen some standout releases that truly shine. Here are my recommendations for desktop Linux distributions you can confidently rely on for your everyday needs.
My top recommendation is Linux Mint 22 “Wilma,” which debuted in late July. There’s already plenty of buzz about it, but to sum it up, Mint 22 strikes a perfect balance.
Linux Mint 22
It offers user-friendly simplicity, a classic desktop experience, and no unnecessary bloatware—a common misstep in smaller distros where developers assume their personal preferences suit everyone. Add attention to detail and dependable support, and it’s a clear winner.
Apart from Mint, I’m equally confident in recommending two other excellent options released in 2024 for your desktop: Fedora 41 and elementary OS 8. If you’re already familiar with Linux, Fedora 41 is a fantastic choice.
On the other hand, if you’re just starting your Linux journey, elementary OS 8 is a great option. It offers a user-friendly (macOS-like) experience with minimal need to use the terminal while providing a stable and reliable system.
I must also shout out to rolling-release Linux distributions in the desktop segment, as they fall mainly into it. Here, my recommendation goes strongly for openSUSE Tumbleweed. For advanced users, Arch provides everything they need to build the desktop of their dreams.
If you’re looking for something easier but still with an Arch taste, I’d strongly recommend EndeavourOS. Lastly, if you prefer a systemd-free experience, Void could be the perfect fit. Once you dive into it, you might find it hard to switch to anything else.
My top recommendation for server editions launching in 2024 is Rocky Linux 9.5. Yes, AlmaLinux 9.5 is also an option, but let me explain why I lean toward Rocky.
Rocky Linux 9.5
After Red Hat’s controversial decision in 2023 to restrict access to RHEL source code, Rocky and Alma took slightly different approaches. AlmaLinux decided not to be an exact replica of RHEL but instead focused on maintaining binary compatibility.
What does that mean? Essentially, any software that runs on RHEL should work seamlessly on AlmaLinux without needing modifications. That’s great news! But here’s where I have reservations: Alma has decided to broaden its software offerings by adding extra repositories. At first glance, this sounds like a win—more options, right? And yes, it can be.
However, here’s the catch: What happens if, down the line—say, two years from now—you want to migrate your servers from Alma to another RHEL-based distribution? Those extra repositories—and the software installed from them—could create compatibility headaches or even block the migration entirely.
I mean, when I opt for a RHEL-based distribution for my servers, I expect it to stay as close as possible to RHEL’s original form. In this regard, Rocky Linux fulfills its mission better, sticking as close as possible to the original. That’s why it’s my top recommendation.
Besides Rocky and Alma, Ubuntu 24.04 LTS Server Edition is another solid and reliable choice. However, opting for Canonical’s distro, you’ll need to contend with a few potentially divisive features, like the reliance on Snap packages and frequent nudges that encourage you to upgrade to an Ubuntu Pro subscription. If you’re okay with that, the Ubuntu server will do a great job.
In the niche of general-purpose Linux distributions—those designed to meet both desktop and server needs seamlessly—one name stands out in 2024: openSUSE Leap 15.6.
openSUSE Leap 15.6
The adorable chameleon needs no extra praise—openSUSE has long proven itself as a top-tier product you can always rely on. So, if you’re the type of user who wants a seamless desktop experience while sharpening your server-side skills with minimal learning curve, Leap is the perfect choice.
I’d also like to point out that openSUSE Leap 15.6 deserves a spot in both the above-mentioned categories of top-recommended Linux releases for desktops and servers in 2024. With the trusty chameleon by your side, you really can’t go wrong!
The final category I chose to highlight on its own is the rapidly growing trend of immutable Linux distributions. I’ll say that new Linux users might find these challenging to navigate. This segment is geared toward more experienced ones—those who understand the concept of immutability and have a clear reason for choosing a distribution built around it.
If you’re searching for a reliable and immutable desktop solution, I highly recommend Nitrux. It offers a unique twist on the Plasma desktop, setting it apart from the rest. On top of that, it is ideal for users who want a visually appealing, performance-driven, and systemd-free distro that embraces modern app technologies.
Nitrux 3.8
If you prefer a classic desktop experience, Fedora 41 Silverblue, part of Fedora’s Atomic Desktops, featuring the GNOME desktop environment, has plenty to offer.
Lastly, let’s talk about the servers field. While the term “server” might bring to mind certain traditional concepts, actually, there’s no such thing as an immutable server in this niche. I mean, this kind of Linux distro truly excels in one particular field – when used as a platform for hosting container workloads.
So, if you’re exploring immutable options in 2024 for your containerization needs while benefiting from transactional updates, I strongly recommend considering the rolling openSUSE MicroOS—it’s a standout choice in this space.
Well, that was my overview of the most prominent Linux releases in 2024 that you can bet on. Remember, there’s no such thing as the “best” Linux distribution—it all depends on your specific needs and the support you have available.
So, the next time someone claims to know the “best” Linux distribution, your response should be, “Best for what?” If their answer is something vague like “For everything,” it’s probably time to look elsewhere for reliable advice.
Wishing you happy holidays and a wonderful start to 2025!
This is for those who claim Linux should standardize into one distro.
I think a PC hardware company needs to offer complete consumer market products.
At a business level, Sun with BSD 4.2(?) did quite well for a time.
[Yup, I’m old.]
Thanks SA.
The Captain Kangaroo of tech videos is similarly circumspect and restrained:
The 7 Desktop OS I Run Every Week (& why!)
15:42
ExplainingComputers
1.07M subscribers
82,433 views
December 29, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iimFH68AE8
https://www.youtube.com/@ExplainingComputers/videos
It is standardized! The linux kernel is pretty much the same in all distros of the same architecture! The only differences are the apps they are boxed with and the window dressing! And because it is yours you can even make your own custom distro the way you like!
The reason Linux has not caught on with the masses is that there are too many distros. Confusing as hell!
If there was one or two well supported and easy to install versions, I’m sure it would get a lot wider play.
What gripes me is, I’ve found several nice distros - one being Mint Cinnamon - yet they don’t come out of the box with what I consider to be essential stuff like ssh. Sure I can add them but it’s a pain to have to configure a console just to do that on systems that will run headless.
I am, by no means an expert, but the “best” distribution is the one that still fits on my machine. It is NOT from 2024. :-(
Like System76
Exactly so. Moreover, I was very disappointed that the article author neglected to mention GNU. I know, I know, nobody knows or cares who Stallman is or did, but the fact is that there's another part of Linux OS -- utterly essential and without which the kernel and the apps are useless -- which is the GNU command set that everybody takes for granted.
Yes, all hail the Linux kernel and Linus. But he has always acknowledged that without the GNU tools and commands, a kernel is pretty much impossible to do anything with.
Yeah, the apps are nice for the desktop installations. I spend most of my work time with headless servers in datacenters, and work exclusively from a Bash shell, so those nice fancy GUI apps aren't in my environment. I use them at home on my personal systems, of course, and I do have one desktop environment for work use (gotta have a browser after all).
As for window dressing, I'm a Luddite who uses the plain, quiet, Gnome Flashback Metacity desktop. I don't play video games.
My personal favorite distros are Ubuntu and CentOS, but I guess that also makes me a Luddite, eh?
I appreciate you sharing that about GNU. I suppose we just take it for granted.
As an engineer in the late 70's and 80's, working mostly with MSDOS and Unix, the development of the GNU tools was a monumental breakthrough for those of us who couldn't afford AT&T UNIX. The GNU folks couldn't wrap their heads around how to do a kernel, but Torvalds took care of that missing piece.
Articles about Linux desktop environments are fun, I don't begrudge them, but from my POV the comparisons miss the point of what Linux is:
I would love to see Linux own the desktop market, I've looked forward to it for a decade or two, but I realize that it won't happen in my lifetime (I'm 73). I'm content that Linux owns the internet and a sizable share of the enterprise market.
Yep, I’m hip to it. Some countries even run their whole government system on Linux.
I think Linux would do MUCH better in the market if MS didn’t make deals with the computer manufacturers to do every thing they can to prevent users from installing or loading an alternative OS of any kind. It really needs some attention as antitrust tactics.
I mean right from the get go the boot order is wrong on purpose. Booting an OS from USB should be the FIRST option every computer looks for first. Folks get discouraged and scared when they have to go play with the bios.
And they have now done everything can can to make the bios proprietary to only their OS, Some machine bios have anything else locked out completely. and it is no longer just resetting the boot order, some require bios setting in three or four different places and in the correct combination through trial and error to boot and use an alternative OS.
They have made it nearly impossible for the average user to even try Linux from a USB. Fortunately some now recently added a boot menu. But even then by design of the bios some still won’t boot Linux even then. You still have to go into the bios and make a bunch of risky changes to do it.
I think if these bios issues were honest and not so proprietary to MS and if the bios did not need to be adjusted the desktop market would finally take off. MS has purposely made it just too hard for the average user to do easily. Every time I install Linux for someone they are immediately impressed. But they could not have done it on their own without me picking that MS bios combination lock for them.
This really needs to be addressed legally. As it is MS forever owns the machine, not the customer who paid good money for it. It should belong to the customer not MS... Same thing needs to happen that happened with cell phones when they locked out other carriers. While I hate any new laws, that law forcing them to let their customers unlock their phones easily to use another with carrier was absolutely needed. It is the customer’s phone not perpetually the carriers. Same needs to happen with computers...
"It's a big club and you ain't in it." -- George CarlinCarlin's observation doesn't just apply to politics...
Yeah I know. But there isn’t even any noise made about that issue. folks have to make noise first to expose the problem... :)
You sound techy, you might like this then. I real like the concept myself. Comes boxed with both terminal SSH and a GUI SSH client. No install. just down load the image file and move over to a bootable stick and boot into it. Less than one gig with all the apps included.
https://bkhome.org/news/202412/easyos-daedalus-series-version-653-released.html
My personal favorite distros are Ubuntu and CentOS, but I guess that also makes me a Luddite, eh?
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I prefer Dinosaur.
What no Zorin?
> I prefer Dinosaur.
Early Adopter I take it.
Just about every “Best” list published on the Internet is based on lies and/or false assumptions and/or is just plain click-bait, so this one, at least, is refreshing.
FWIW, there are more than 400 actively maintained flavors of Linux, each one owned and operated my someone who created what he believed would be the best for a certain application or situation. There isn’t a Chinaman’s chance of convincing the 399 that the 400th one is the best and they all should re-engineer theirs accordingly.
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