Ubuntu vs elementary OS: how they differ
Ubuntu and elementary OS 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: Ubuntu is built on Debian, while elementary OS is built on Ubuntu.
- Desktop: Ubuntu uses GNOME; elementary OS uses Pantheon.
- Software tools: Ubuntu uses apt and Snap; elementary OS uses apt and Flatpak, so the commands you learn for one do not carry over.
- Releases: both follow long-term releases that stay supported for years.
- Memory: about 4 GB for Ubuntu against about 4 GB for elementary OS is a comfortable minimum for a desktop session.
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.
Choose elementary OS if
You are among the people who like a clean, Mac-style desktop with a curated app store.
Quick answers
- Which is easier for a beginner? Both suit beginners, so choose on look and feel.
- 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 Ubuntu USB drive or the elementary OS USB drive. Learn more: what is Ubuntu and what is elementary OS.
Software commands compared
- Ubuntu:
sudo apt install name - elementary OS:
sudo apt install name
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Ubuntu or elementary OS?
Neither is better for everyone. Choose by what you need: 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, while elementary OS suits people who like a clean, Mac-style desktop with a curated app store.
Can I install both Ubuntu and elementary OS?
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, Ubuntu or elementary OS?
Ubuntu uses long-term releases that stay supported for years; elementary OS uses long-term releases that stay supported for years.