Vanilla OS vs Ubuntu: how they differ
Vanilla OS 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: both are built on Debian, so much of the help, software and troubleshooting advice for one applies to the other.
- Desktop: both use GNOME.
- Software tools: Vanilla OS uses apx; Ubuntu uses apt and Snap, so the commands you learn for one do not carry over.
- Releases: Vanilla OS uses numbered releases on a fixed schedule; Ubuntu uses long-term releases that stay supported for years.
- Memory: about 4 GB for Vanilla OS against about 4 GB for Ubuntu is a comfortable minimum for a desktop session.
Choose Vanilla OS if
You are among the people who want a system that is hard to break and easy to roll back.
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? 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 Vanilla OS USB drive or the Ubuntu USB drive. Learn more: what is Vanilla OS and what is Ubuntu.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Vanilla OS or Ubuntu?
Neither is better for everyone. Choose by what you need: Vanilla OS suits people who want a system that is hard to break and easy to roll back, 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 Vanilla OS 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, Vanilla OS or Ubuntu?
Vanilla OS uses numbered releases on a fixed schedule; Ubuntu uses long-term releases that stay supported for years.