Have a clear reason before moving. If you want the upstream source, go to one of its parent distributions. Switching someone from Windows or a Mac? A desktop that copies that layout helps. A curated distro from a single team or a pay-what-you-can download gives a polished desktop, and a rolling-release option suits anyone who wants newer software sooner.
Linux Mint's own About page talks about conservative software updates. That's exactly why many people pick it, and also why some start looking around. If you want newer software, a different look, or a different team behind the system, this page is for you.
Below, the eight options are grouped by the reason you might move, then described one by one in alphabetical order.
Grouped by your reason for leaving
| Reason | Options | Change you'll notice most |
|---|---|---|
| Go upstream | Debian, Ubuntu | Fewer layers between you and the source |
| Help a switcher | Zorin OS | A familiar first login |
| Curated desktop | elementary OS, Pop!_OS | One project's taste throughout |
| Newer software | Fedora, openSUSE | More frequent change |
| Arch, made easier | Manjaro | An Arch base without starting from scratch |
Two alternatives are its parents
The most obvious names on any list turn out to be family. Mint's own About page says it's based on Debian and Ubuntu. So if you switch to either of those, you're not moving to a different lineage. You're moving upstream, closer to the source Mint already builds on.
That can be exactly what you want. Going upstream means fewer layers between you and the project making the core decisions. But it also means losing whatever Mint adds on top, including its own Update Manager and its conservative approach to updates. If those are the reasons you picked Mint in the first place, an upstream move may feel like a step sideways.
If you want a different lineage altogether, look at the other rows instead. They change more than the badge: different teams, different desktops and, in some cases, a very different update rhythm.
The eight, A to Z
Debian
Run by a group of individuals who set out to create a free operating system. Good if a community-built project is what drew you to Linux.
elementary OS
The download asks you to set the amount yourself, so supporting the team is your call rather than a fixed charge.
Fedora
Its Workstation edition features the latest GNOME desktop, so it suits people who want current desktop releases.
Manjaro
Takes Arch Linux as its base and aims to make it accessible for a wider audience.
openSUSE
Offers both rolling-release and immutable flavours, so you can choose constant updates or a more locked-down base.
Pop!_OS
Made by System76 and designed, in its own words, to remove obstacles from your plate.
Ubuntu
Describes itself as the enterprise Linux for open source innovation, and it's one of Mint's two foundations.
Zorin OS
Its Appearance app changes the desktop layout to feel like Windows, macOS or Linux, which helps first-timers settle in.
Notice how differently the eight describe themselves. Ubuntu talks about enterprise and innovation, Debian about the people behind it, Pop!_OS about removing obstacles and Fedora about the newest GNOME desktop. Those lines are a fair guide to what each team puts first, so read the About page of your top two before you download either.
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What you'd miss from Mint
It's easy to focus on what you'll gain and forget what you're giving up. Mint's own page says it's free and open source and comes with a unique Update Manager. If you've come to rely on that tool to decide what gets updated and when, check how your candidate handles the same job before you move.
The same goes for pace. A careful update policy means fewer surprises. Several options here deliberately move faster, which is great for new features and less great if you just want the computer to behave the same way every morning.
Matching a distro to the person using it
- The cautious home user who wants nothing to change: stay put, or go upstream to one of Mint's parents.
- The relative moving from Windows: Zorin OS and its familiar layouts.
- The person who likes to choose what to pay, or wants a system that says it removes obstacles from your plate: elementary OS or Pop!_OS.
- The tinkerer who wants new software early: Fedora, or openSUSE's rolling flavour.
- The person curious about Arch but wary of starting from nothing: Manjaro.
- The person drawn to a locked-down core: openSUSE's immutable flavour.
Choose for the person, not for the spec sheet. A distro that suits a developer can frustrate someone who only wants email, photos and a browser. If you're setting up a machine for someone else, sit with them for the first hour and watch where they hesitate. Those pauses tell you more than any review.
A trial plan in three stages
| Stage | What to check | Ready to move on when |
|---|---|---|
| Before installing | Write down what Mint doesn't give you today and list the apps you use weekly | You can name the one thing you want to change |
| Live session from USB | Wi-Fi, printer, sound, webcam and the apps you use weekly | Everything you rely on works or has a clear replacement |
| Spare machine or second partition | Daily work, a few updates and at least one video call | A full week passes without booting Mint |
Keep Mint untouched until the last column is true for every stage. If you're moving to openSUSE's rolling flavour or to Manjaro, add one more check: read how that project expects you to handle updates. It'll be different from the careful approach you're used to, and knowing that in advance saves a nasty surprise.
Keeping your files and apps when you move
Your documents, photos and music live in your home folder, and that's what matters most. Copy it to an external drive before you start, then check it opens on another machine so you know the backup works.
Apps are a different story. Make a list of everything you use weekly and look up whether each one is available on your candidate. Most popular apps will be, but a single missing tool can sink the whole move, so it's worth ten minutes of checking first.
Is free still free elsewhere?
Mint is free and open source, and most people moving want the same from their next system. Our explainer on whether Linux is free covers the general picture, and we've also looked at whether Red Hat's Linux is free if a commercially backed system is on your radar.
Frequently asked questions
Is moving to Ubuntu a big change from Mint?
It's a smaller jump than most, since Mint builds on it. Expect the desktop and update tools to feel different at first.
Do these install apps the same way Mint does?
Not necessarily. Each project picks its own tools for adding software, so read the candidate's documentation on installing apps before you move.
Can I compare two candidates on one computer?
Yes. Boot each from its own USB stick, one evening apiece, and note the same checks for both so you're comparing like with like.
Is Pop!_OS tied to System76 hardware?
It's made by System76. Check its site for the editions and hardware it supports before you download.
Can I keep Mint's Update Manager on another distro?
It's Mint's own tool, so plan on learning how your new system handles updates instead.
Should I wipe Mint before testing?
No. Test from a live USB or a spare machine first, and keep Mint until you're sure.
