Garuda Linux vs Ubuntu

Garuda Linux and Ubuntu are popular choices in the Linux community, each with unique features and strengths. This page explores their differences, helping you decide which is right for you.

Garuda Linux Icon

Garuda Linux

Performance-Driven Experience

  • Highly customizable with various desktop environments
  • Built-in performance enhancements
  • Rolling release with latest software
  • Beautiful, modern UI
  • Not as stable as fixed release distros
  • Higher system requirements
Best for Power users
Ubuntu Icon

Ubuntu

User-Friendly Simplicity

  • Strong community support
  • Stability with LTS releases
  • Wide software compatibility
  • Beginner-friendly interface
  • Less frequent feature updates
  • Default telemetry settings
Best for General users

TL;DR: Pick Garuda Linux for cutting-edge performance and customization. Pick Ubuntu for stability and ease of use.

Side-by-side comparison

How they stack up across key categories.

Ease of use

Linux

Garuda Linux offers a wide range of customization options, which can be overwhelming for beginners but rewarding for experienced users.

Ubuntu

Ubuntu is known for its user-friendly interface and ease of installation, making it a great choice for newcomers to Linux.

Desktop feel

Linux

Garuda Linux delivers a visually appealing desktop with themes and effects that enhance user experience.

Ubuntu

Ubuntu provides a clean, straightforward desktop environment with GNOME, focusing on simplicity and functionality.

Stability

Linux

As a rolling release, Garuda Linux may face more frequent stability issues compared to fixed release distros.

Ubuntu

Ubuntu's LTS releases focus on providing long-term stability with security updates for up to five years.

Updates

Linux

Garuda Linux offers continuous updates with the latest features and software due to its rolling release nature.

Ubuntu

Ubuntu follows a predictable release cycle with biannual updates and long-term support versions every two years.

Software access

Linux

Garuda Linux provides access to the AUR and the latest software packages, ideal for users who need cutting-edge applications.

Ubuntu

Ubuntu offers a vast repository and Snap support, ensuring access to a wide range of software, including proprietary options.

Privacy

Linux

Garuda Linux does not have default telemetry, appealing to users concerned about data privacy.

Ubuntu

Ubuntu includes default telemetry settings, but users can opt-out during installation or via settings.

Community & docs

Linux

Garuda Linux's community is growing, with forums and resources available for support and guidance.

Ubuntu

Ubuntu boasts a robust community with extensive documentation, tutorials, and active forums for user support.

Gaming

Linux

Garuda Linux is optimized for gaming with built-in performance tweaks and tools like GameMode.

Ubuntu

Ubuntu supports gaming with compatibility for Steam and Lutris, though it may require additional configuration for optimal performance.

Pros & cons summary

Garuda Linux

Pros

  • Garuda Linux offers a wide range of desktop environments including KDE Plasma, GNOME, and XFCE that cater to different user preferences.
  • The distro comes with performance tweaks out of the box, such as ZRAM and the Linux-zen kernel, designed to optimize system responsiveness.
  • As a rolling release distribution, Garuda Linux provides access to the latest software updates and features as soon as they are available.
  • Garuda's interface is visually appealing, with polished themes and icons that give a modern look.
  • It includes powerful tools like the Garuda Assistant for system maintenance and customization.

Cons

  • Being a rolling release, Garuda Linux may experience occasional instabilities requiring user intervention to resolve issues.
  • The system demands more resources, which might not be ideal for older hardware or low-spec machines.
  • New users might find the initial setup and customization options overwhelming compared to more straightforward distros.

Ubuntu

Pros

  • Ubuntu boasts one of the largest and most active communities, providing extensive documentation and forums for support.
  • The Long Term Support (LTS) versions offer a stable environment with five years of security updates, ideal for enterprise and production use.
  • Ubuntu's compatibility with a broad range of software makes it a versatile choice for various applications, including proprietary software.
  • The GNOME desktop environment provides a straightforward, easy-to-navigate interface suitable for newcomers.
  • Ubuntu's Software Center and Snap support make installing and managing applications seamless.

Cons

  • The fixed release cycle means new features and updates are less frequent compared to rolling release models.
  • Ubuntu has default telemetry settings that send usage data to Canonical, which some privacy-conscious users may dislike.
  • Some users may find the default GNOME desktop less customizable without additional extensions.

Which should you pick?

Quick recommendations for common scenarios.

💻

Switching from Windows

Pick: Ubuntu

Ubuntu's user-friendly interface and community support make it ideal for Windows switchers.

🛠

Following Tutorials

Pick: Either

Both distros have strong documentation and community support, providing ample resources for learning.

🖥

Older Hardware

Pick: Ubuntu

Ubuntu's lightweight flavors like Xubuntu or Lubuntu are more suitable for older hardware.

🎮

Gaming

Pick: Garuda Linux

Garuda's performance optimizations make it a great choice for gaming enthusiasts.

💼

Work/Professional Use

Pick: Ubuntu

Ubuntu's stability and software compatibility are beneficial for professional environments.

🏠

Simple Daily Desktop

Pick: Ubuntu

Ubuntu's ease of use and consistent updates make it ideal for daily desktop activities.

FAQ

Quick answers to common questions.

How are Garuda Linux and Ubuntu related?

Garuda Linux is based on Arch Linux, while Ubuntu is based on Debian. They are separate projects with different goals and approaches.

Which distro is more beginner-friendly?

Ubuntu is generally more beginner-friendly due to its intuitive interface, extensive documentation, and large community support.

Which distro offers better performance?

Garuda Linux focuses on performance with its optimized settings and rolling release model, potentially offering better performance for power users.

Can I try these distros without installing them?

Yes, both Garuda Linux and Ubuntu offer live sessions that allow you to try the system without installing it on your hardware.

How do these distros handle software compatibility?

Ubuntu supports a wide range of software through its repositories and Snap packages, while Garuda Linux offers access to AUR for cutting-edge applications.

Are there any hardware support differences?

Both distros support a wide range of hardware, but Ubuntu's larger user base may lead to better out-of-the-box support and troubleshooting resources.

What are the release cycles for these distros?

Garuda Linux follows a rolling release model with continuous updates, while Ubuntu has a fixed release cycle with LTS versions providing long-term stability.

Is it easy to switch between Garuda Linux and Ubuntu?

Switching between the two requires reinstalling the OS, but both have tools to help migrate data and settings to ease the transition.

Compare another pair?

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