What is Pop!_OS? Who it is for
Pop!_OS is built on Ubuntu. It uses COSMIC as its desktop and apt and Flatpak for software, and it follows long-term releases that stay supported for years.
Pop!_OS at a glance
- Foundation: built on Ubuntu
- Desktop: COSMIC
- Software tools: apt and Flatpak
- Release style: long-term releases that stay supported for years
- Installer: the Pop!_OS installer
Who Pop!_OS suits
Pop!_OS suits people who want a developer- and gamer-friendly system from hardware maker System76.
Strengths
- Sensible defaults for Steam, Proton and current graphics drivers.
- Good tooling for programming, with current compilers, languages and containers available.
- A gentle learning curve, with everyday tasks handled through graphical tools.
Things to consider
- Newer hardware can need extra driver steps, so check your graphics card before you commit.
- As a rough guide, about 4 GB of RAM is a comfortable minimum for a desktop session.
Try Pop!_OS from a USB drive
The easiest way to find out is to start it from a USB drive without changing your computer. See the Pop!_OS bootable USB drive, then follow our install guide when you are ready. New to this? Read how to try Linux without installing it and how to boot from a USB drive.
Compare Pop!_OS
- Ubuntu vs Pop!_OS
- Debian vs Pop!_OS
- Fedora vs Pop!_OS
- Linux Mint vs Pop!_OS
- Pop!_OS vs Zorin OS
- Pop!_OS vs elementary OS
Installing software on Pop!_OS
Pop!_OS uses apt and Flatpak. These commands search for a program and install it (replace name with the program):
apt search name sudo apt install name
Most desktop systems also have a graphical software store. See how to install software on Linux.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pop!_OS good for beginners?
Yes. Pop!_OS is one of the more beginner-friendly choices.
What desktop does Pop!_OS use?
Pop!_OS uses COSMIC. To learn how desktops differ, read what GNOME, KDE, Xfce and Cinnamon are.
How much RAM does Pop!_OS need?
As a rough guide, about 4 GB of RAM is a comfortable minimum for a desktop session.
Is Pop!_OS based on another distribution?
Pop!_OS is built on Ubuntu.
How often is Pop!_OS updated?
Pop!_OS follows long-term releases that stay supported for years.
How can I try Pop!_OS without installing it?
Write it to a USB drive, restart, choose the drive from the boot menu and pick the live or try option. Nothing on your internal disk changes unless you choose to install.