Ubuntu vs Pop!_OS: how they differ
Ubuntu and Pop!_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 Pop!_OS is built on Ubuntu.
- Desktop: Ubuntu uses GNOME; Pop!_OS uses COSMIC.
- Software tools: Ubuntu uses apt and Snap; Pop!_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 Pop!_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 Pop!_OS if
You are among the people who want a developer- and gamer-friendly system from hardware maker System76.
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 Pop!_OS USB drive. Learn more: what is Ubuntu and what is Pop!_OS.
Software commands compared
- Ubuntu:
sudo apt install name - Pop!_OS:
sudo apt install name
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Ubuntu or Pop!_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 Pop!_OS suits people who want a developer- and gamer-friendly system from hardware maker System76.
Can I install both Ubuntu and Pop!_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 Pop!_OS?
Ubuntu uses long-term releases that stay supported for years; Pop!_OS uses long-term releases that stay supported for years.