openSUSE vs Ubuntu: how they differ
openSUSE and Ubuntu are often considered side by side. This page compares what each one is built on, how it looks, how software is installed, how updates arrive and what hardware it needs.
Key differences
- Foundation: openSUSE is built independently rather than on another distribution, while Ubuntu is built on Debian.
- Desktop: openSUSE uses KDE Plasma or GNOME; Ubuntu uses GNOME.
- Software tools: openSUSE uses zypper; Ubuntu uses apt and Snap, so the commands you learn for one do not carry over.
- Releases: openSUSE uses a curated model where updates are released in tested batches; Ubuntu uses long-term releases that stay supported for years.
- Memory: about 4 GB for openSUSE against about 4 GB for Ubuntu is a comfortable minimum for a desktop session.
Choose openSUSE if
You are among the people who like a carefully engineered system with strong snapshot rollback, in rolling (Tumbleweed) or fixed (Leap) form.
Choose Ubuntu if
You are among the people who want the most widely supported desktop, with a new release every six months and a long-term release every two years.
Quick answers
- Which is easier for a beginner? Ubuntu is generally the easier first step.
- Which suits older hardware? They ask for a similar amount of memory.
- Can I try both? Yes. Start each from a live USB drive without installing, or put both on one drive with Ventoy.
Browse the openSUSE USB drive or the Ubuntu USB drive. Learn more: what is openSUSE and what is Ubuntu.
Software commands compared
- openSUSE:
sudo zypper install name - Ubuntu:
sudo apt install name
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, openSUSE or Ubuntu?
Neither is better for everyone. Choose by what you need: openSUSE suits people who like a carefully engineered system with strong snapshot rollback, in rolling (Tumbleweed) or fixed (Leap) form, while Ubuntu suits people who want the most widely supported desktop, with a new release every six months and a long-term release every two years.
Can I install both openSUSE and Ubuntu?
Yes. Install each one on its own partition, or try both from a live USB drive first. See dual booting for the idea, which also works between two Linux systems.
Which gets updates faster, openSUSE or Ubuntu?
openSUSE uses a curated model where updates are released in tested batches; Ubuntu uses long-term releases that stay supported for years.