Fedora vs Pop!_OS

Fedora and Pop!_OS are two popular Linux distributions known for their unique strengths. This page compares them in aspects like ease of use, updates, and gaming capabilities to help you choose the right distro.

Fedora Icon

Fedora

Leading-edge innovation

  • Frequent updates with the latest software
  • Strong support for developers
  • Excellent documentation and community support
  • Focus on open source
  • Frequent updates may lead to instability
  • Not as beginner-friendly
Best for Cutting-edge features
Pop Os Icon

Pop!_OS

The power user's choice

  • Optimized for productivity
  • Great for gaming
  • User-friendly for newcomers
  • Good out-of-the-box experience
  • Based on Ubuntu, may lag behind in updates
  • Limited customization of the default desktop environment
Best for Productivity and gaming

TL;DR: Pick Fedora for cutting-edge features and developer tools. Pick Pop!_OS for productivity and gaming.

Side-by-side comparison

How they stack up across key categories.

Ease of use

Fedora

Fedora is more geared towards users familiar with Linux, offering a pure GNOME experience.

Pop!_OS

Pop!_OS is user-friendly and designed to be accessible for beginners, with a focus on productivity.

Desktop feel

Fedora

Fedora provides a clean and polished GNOME experience with minimal extra features.

Pop!_OS

Pop!_OS offers a modified GNOME experience with added features like window tiling for enhanced productivity.

Stability

Fedora

Fedora's frequent updates can introduce instability but generally maintains a stable environment.

Pop!_OS

Pop!_OS is based on Ubuntu LTS, offering solid stability and less frequent major changes.

Updates

Fedora

Fedora provides cutting-edge updates, often being the first to implement new technologies.

Pop!_OS

Pop!_OS follows Ubuntu's release cycle, focusing on stability with bi-annual updates.

Software access

Fedora

Fedora uses DNF for package management and emphasizes open-source software.

Pop!_OS

Pop!_OS provides easy software management through the Pop!_Shop and APT package manager.

Privacy

Fedora

Fedora focuses on privacy by default, not including proprietary software unless necessary.

Pop!_OS

Pop!_OS respects user privacy and includes necessary drivers for a better experience.

Community & docs

Fedora

Fedora has a robust community and extensive documentation, helping users navigate its features.

Pop!_OS

Pop!_OS benefits from both the System76 community and Ubuntu's extensive resources.

Gaming

Fedora

Fedora supports gaming but may require manual setup for additional drivers.

Pop!_OS

Pop!_OS is optimized for gaming, with pre-installed drivers and Steam, providing a smoother experience.

Pros & cons summary

Fedora

Pros

  • Fedora is known for its frequent updates, providing the latest software and innovations.
  • It offers strong support for developers with tools and platforms like Docker and Kubernetes.
  • Fedora has excellent documentation and a supportive community, making it easier to find help.
  • The distro places a strong emphasis on open-source software, aligning with the philosophy of many developers.
  • It provides a clean and polished GNOME experience, staying close to upstream GNOME.

Cons

  • The frequent updates can introduce instability, which might not be ideal for a production environment.
  • Fedora's focus on cutting-edge technology means it can sometimes be challenging for beginners.
  • The emphasis on open-source software means some proprietary drivers or codecs may not be included by default.

Pop!_OS

Pros

  • Pop!_OS is optimized for productivity, with features like window tiling and keyboard shortcuts.
  • It provides excellent support for gaming, with built-in drivers and Steam pre-installed.
  • Pop!_OS is user-friendly and accessible for newcomers, with a straightforward installation process.
  • The out-of-the-box experience is polished, with most necessary software readily available.
  • It includes System76's custom features, such as the Pop!_Shop for easy software management.

Cons

  • As it's based on Ubuntu, Pop!_OS may lag behind distros like Fedora in providing the latest software updates.
  • The default desktop environment, though user-friendly, offers limited customization options compared to some other distros.
  • Pop!_OS is primarily developed for System76 hardware, so certain features may not be fully optimized on other systems.

Which should you pick?

Quick recommendations for common scenarios.

💻

Switching from Windows

Pick: Pop!_OS

Pop!_OS provides a more familiar user interface and an easier transition for Windows users.

📚

Following tutorials

Pick: Either

Both distros have excellent documentation and communities, making them suitable for learning.

🖥️

Older hardware

Pick: Fedora

Fedora can be configured to use lighter desktop environments that are better for older hardware.

🎮

Gaming

Pick: Pop!_OS

Pop!_OS offers optimized gaming performance with pre-installed drivers and Steam.

💼

Work/professional use

Pick: Fedora

Fedora's focus on cutting-edge technologies and developer tools makes it ideal for professional use.

🖥️

Simple daily desktop

Pick: Either

Both provide a stable and straightforward desktop experience suitable for daily tasks.

FAQ

Quick answers to common questions.

What is the relationship between Fedora and Pop!_OS?

Fedora is a standalone distribution, while Pop!_OS is based on Ubuntu, which itself is derived from Debian.

Which is more beginner-friendly, Fedora or Pop!_OS?

Pop!_OS is generally more beginner-friendly due to its user interface and accessibility features, making it easier for newcomers.

How do Fedora and Pop!_OS compare in terms of performance?

Both distros offer good performance, but Pop!_OS is optimized for specific hardware, potentially offering better performance on System76 devices.

Can I try these distros before installing?

Yes, both Fedora and Pop!_OS offer live USB options, allowing users to try the OS without installing it on their machines.

Are software compatibility and package management different?

Fedora uses DNF for package management, focusing on open-source software, while Pop!_OS uses APT, similar to Ubuntu, providing access to a wide range of software.

How is hardware support on Fedora and Pop!_OS?

Pop!_OS offers better out-of-the-box hardware support, especially for System76 devices, whereas Fedora might require additional configuration for certain hardware.

What are the release cycles for these distros?

Fedora has a roughly six-month release cycle with frequent updates, while Pop!_OS follows Ubuntu's LTS cycle, focusing on stability.

Is switching between Fedora and Pop!_OS difficult?

Switching between the two is straightforward, especially with good documentation and community support. However, backup important data before switching.

Compare another pair?

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