Ubuntu or Linux Mint – Which Should You Choose in 2025?

Why i made this article? to guide on Linux Mint vs Ubuntu and help everyday users, Windows switchers, and hobbyist sysadmins choose between both distros. I will give hands-on impressions, show when one makes more sense than the other, walk you through practical migration steps, and finish with concrete next actions so you leave with a tested recommendation not vague marketing.

Fast Answers

• If you like a Windows-style desktop that feels light, easy to use, and ready right after installation, Linux Mint with the Cinnamon desktop is a great choice. It comes with well-chosen apps and gets steady, reliable updates.
• If you want a modern GNOME desktop with wider support, a larger community, and strong ties to cloud and enterprise systems, Ubuntu is the better option.

This article explains where each one shines, how to install or switch between them, and what trade-offs to expect.

Are these tow OSs related?

Both distros share a lot: LinuxMint is based on Ubuntu (by default it tracks Ubuntu LTS releases or provides an LMDE Debian option), so they share the same package base, drivers, and much of the under-the-hood tooling. That means most apps and drivers written for Ubuntu will work on Mint as well. Linux Mint – Wikipedia

Ubuntu follows a clear release cadence 6-month interim releases and LTS releases every two years with long support windows and its LTS policy (10 years inclusive of extended security) is central to how Mint times its own stable releases. Ubuntu Release Cycle – Canonical

Area	Linux Mint (Cinnamon)	Ubuntu (GNOME)
Default desktop	Cinnamon (Windows-style, traditional menu)	GNOME (modern, activity overview)
Base	Ubuntu LTS (by default)	Upstream (Canonical)
Target user	Desktop users, Windows refugees, older hardware	Broad: desktop, devs, servers, cloud
Update style	Conservative, user-friendly Update Manager	Regular updates, Snap ecosystem by Canonical
App store	Software Manager (Mint) + Flatpak support	GNOME Software + Snap focus
Support cycle	Tracks Ubuntu LTS; Mint LTS support varies (see site)	LTS supported with long maintenance windows. Linux Mint Blog | Ubuntu

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Case study

I keep two spare machines for testing desktop distros: an older 2013 ThinkPad (HDD, 8GB) and a 2020 Ultrabook (NVMe, 16GB). Over several weeks I installed Linux Mint Cinnamon on the ThinkPad and Ubuntu GNOME on the Ultrabook to mirror two common user stories: "revive an old laptop" and "fresh modern machine."

Observations:

• • On the older ThinkPad, Cinnamon felt snappier and more responsive out of the box; Mint's Update Manager and default codecs made multimedia and printing work without hunting.

• • On the Ultrabook, Ubuntu's GNOME shell scaled better for the Hi-DPI screen and handled Wayland improvements smoothly; Ubuntuu's tight integration with Snap and cloud tooling also made it easier to install developer tools I use daily.

That practical split Mint = comfort on older hardware and Windows-like workflow, Ubuntu = forward-looking, broad ecosystem matched what many users report and the design goals of each project. (This is a personal test, not a lab benchmark.)

How they differ in practice

Desktop environment & UX

• • Mint (Cinnamon): traditional taskbar, Start-menu metaphor, easily customizable. Great if you prefer a point-and-click desktop and want minimal relearning.

• • Ubuntu (GNOME): activity overview, vertical workflow, keyboard-centric navigation. Feels modern, but might annoy users who expect a classic taskbar.

Software & packaging

• • Both use APT and .deb packages, but Ubuntu emphasizes Snap (containerized apps) while Mint prefers Flatpak or plain .deb and adds its own Software Manager. If you dislike Snap, Mint gives you a more minimal default Snap footprint. (needs citation) Linux Mint Releases

Category	Snap	Flatpak
What it is	Canonical's app format + store	Community-led app format (Flathub common)
Updates	Auto-updates by default	Usually updated manually (can be auto)
Size	Apps often bigger (bundled libs)	Shared runtimes can make total size smaller
Sandboxing	Uses AppArmor / snapd confinement	Uses Bubblewrap + portals for permissions
Best for	users who want auto-updates	Cross-distro users who want shared runtimes

Updates

• • Ubuntu: predictable cadence; LTS releases supported for years attractive for users who want predictable security updates and compatibility. Ubuntu

• • Mint: conservative approach to updates with a graphical Update Manager that aims to prevent accidental breakage. Good for less technical users.

Hardware and performance

Cinnamon is typically lighter than stock GNOME, so Mint can feel snappier on modest hardware. That said, modern GNOME performs well on recent machines and benefits from Wayland improvements (Ubuntu (maintained by Canonical Ltd.) has been shipping Wayland as default on some hardware check your GPU support).

Component	Linux Mint (Cinnamon) – Minimum	Linux Mint (Cinnamon) -Recommended	Ubuntu (GNOME) – Minimum	Ubuntu (GNOME) -Recommended
CPU	64-bit dual-core ~1.6 GHz	Quad-core 2.0+ GHz	64-bit dual-core ~2.0 GHz	Quad-core 2.5+ GHz
RAM	2 GB	8 GB	4 GB	16 GB
Storage (free space)	20–30 GB HDD	100+ GB SSD	25–30 GB HDD	120+ GB SSD
Disk type	HDD acceptable	SSD strongly recommended	HDD acceptable	SSD strongly recommended
GPU	Integrated GPU (Intel/AMD)	Modern integrated or discrete GPU	Integrated GPU (Intel/AMD)	Discrete GPU recommended for gaming/graphics
Display	1024×768	1920×1080 (or higher)	1280×800	1920×1080 (Hi-DPI use needs testing)
Boot	BIOS or UEFI	UEFI with Secure Boot support	UEFI recommended	UEFI with Secure Boot
Swap	1–2 GB (or swapfile)	2–RAM size (if you need hibernate)	2–4 GB	2–RAM size (for hibernate)
Network	Ethernet/Wi-Fi (basic)	Ethernet + Wi-Fi tested	Ethernet/Wi-Fi (basic)	Ethernet + Wi-Fi tested
Special notes	Works reasonably on older machines; choose Xfce or MATE if below minimum.	Best experience with SSD + 8GB+.	GNOME is heavier; 4GB is bare minimum for a desktop session.	For comfortable multitasking, 16GB+ and SSD recommended.
Wayland status	Cinnamon Wayland support evolving (test if you rely on Wayland).	n/a	Canonical's distro may default to Wayland on some hardware; test GPU support.	n/a

If your machine is below the minimum for a given desktop, try the other distro's lighter edition (Mint Xfce, Ubuntu MATE, or a minimal install).

–SSD + 8GB RAM is the single best upgrade to make either distro feel noticeably faster.

-Always test with a live USB before installing it verifies drivers, Wi-Fi, and display scaling without changing the system.

How to pick

Ask about hardware

1. If your machine is older than ~6 years or has <8GB RAM: start with Linux Mint (Cinnamon or Xfce).
2. If you have modern hardware, frequent cloud/dev tools, or want vendor/backing for enterprise: try Canonical's distro.

Identify your app needs

Need lots of proprietary codecs and codecs that "just work"? Mint's installer is more conservative but includes easy codec setup. Linux Mint Blog

Try before you install Boot both from live USB and try the basics: Wi-Fi, sleep/resume, sound, and the apps you rely on.

Choose upgrade path If you want low maintenance: install Mint with an Canonical's distro LTS base or install Ubuntu LTS. If you like newer packages, opt for a non-LTS Canonical's distro release (but plan for more frequent upgrades). Ubuntu

Step-by-step checklist

• Backup everything (images, documents).
• Create a live USB (Rufus, Etcher, or Linux Mint/Ubuntu USB creator).

• Boot live and test hardware (Wi-Fi, audio, suspend, external displays).
• Install: choose "Install alongside" if keeping another OS, or "Erase disk" for a clean install.

• First run: enable additional drivers, install updates, configure Update Manager (Mint) or Software Updater (Ubuntu).

• Optional: enable Flatpak on Mint or Snaps on Ubuntuu depending on your app needs.

Pros and Cons Linux Mint vs Ubuntu.

Area	Linux Mint – Pros	Linux Mint – Cons	Ubuntu – Pros	Ubuntu – Cons
Desktop look	Cinnamon looks like Windows, easy to use	Can feel old, not as modern	GNOME is modern and good once you learn it	Confusing if you expect a taskbar, harder to change
Ease of use	Comes with codecs, updater is simple	Installs more apps than some want	Clean start, snaps make apps easy	Snap is forced, not everyone likes it
Performance	Lighter than GNOME, better for old PCs	Heavier than Xfce, can lag on very old hardware	Runs smooth on newer PCs	Uses more RAM and CPU
Customization	Easy to theme and tweak	Settings scattered in places	Can change with extensions	Extensions often break after updates
Software	Uses .deb and Flatpak, simple store	No Snap by default	Full Snap support, big ecosystem	Snaps can be slow and big
Updates	Stable, warns about risky updates	Can leave you with old software	Regular updates, strong LTS	Non LTS needs more upgrades
Releases	Follows Ubuntu LTS, stable	Not as uniform	Clear 6 month releases and LTS every 2 years	Short term releases need more upgrades
Drivers	Good driver tool, based on Ubuntu	Rare devices may need manual setup	Broad hardware support, good vendor drivers	Some drivers only in snaps
Wayland	Mostly Xorg, Wayland not ready	Weak Wayland support	Moving to Wayland	Some GPU and screen share issues
Gaming	Steam and Proton work, good for old PCs	Flatpak needs tweaks sometimes	Good vendor support, newer drivers	Snap packages can cause issues
Multimedia	Codecs included, plays videos right away	Some dislike proprietary software	Handles media fine	May need extra packages
Printing	Works with CUPS, printer tool is easy	Rare printers may need drivers	Broad printer support	Some enterprise printers tricky
Security	Based on Ubuntu, stable updates	Not aimed at enterprise	Canonical fast with patches, snaps add isolation	Snaps not full security solution
Privacy	Little telemetry, private by default	Same risks as any distro	Past telemetry issues but more open now	Some users still don't like it
Community	Friendly, desktop focused	Smaller than Ubuntu	Huge community, lots of guides	Forums can be noisy
Enterprise support	Community and some third party support	No official enterprise support	Canonical sells support, used in business	Support costs money
Backup	Timeshift included, easy snapshots	Need to know limits of Timeshift	Snapshots possible but not included by default	Needs setup for backups
Default apps	Comes with useful apps already	Some see it as bloat	Minimal install, add apps later	You have to install more yourself
PPAs	Supports Ubuntu PPAs	Too many PPAs can break upgrades	Full PPA support, vendors target Ubuntu	Mixing PPAs and snaps can be messy
Learning curve	Easy for Windows users	Power users may find it too simple	GNOME harder at first, good for devs	New users may struggle
Languages & accessibility	Good language support, common tools	Some features missing	GNOME strong on accessibility and translations	Some tools break after updates
Installer	Simple, can install codecs easily	Fewer OEM images	OEM and enterprise installers available	Some installs force snaps
Recovery	Timeshift and Mint tools make rollback easy	Mostly GUI tools, less CLI	Strong CLI tools for rescue	GUI recovery weaker
Docs	Clear desktop guides	Not much for servers	Huge docs and guides	Can overwhelm beginners
Upgrades	Less breakage, conservative	Older software versions	Clear upgrade guides, strong LTS	Needs more work with custom setups
Developer tools	Docker and dev stacks via apt/Flatpak	Less cloud focus	Strong for cloud and dev (snapcraft, k8s)	Desktop may feel cloud heavy
Vendor support	Works fine but most docs are for Ubuntu	May need to adapt guides	Vendors support Ubuntu first	Others lag behind
Community goals	Desktop first, user friendly	Less focus on cloud	Broad scope, server and cloud too	Canonical's choices sometimes upset users

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Final recommendation

• Want a simple, safe desktop that behaves like Windows? Install LinuxMint Cinnamon.
• Want mainstream support, cloud/dev tools, and long LTS windows? Install Ubuntu LTS.
• Still unsure? Run each from a live USB for an afternoon and follow the checklist above.

Conclusion

This article existed to give you a clear, hands-on comparison and a practical path forward. Both LinuxMint and Canonical's distro are excellent; they aim at slightly different desktop preferences. Use the live USB test, match the distro to your hardware and habits, and follow the simple install checklist. If you want, tell me your machine model and I'll recommend the exact flavor and steps.