For beginners, Ubuntu or Linux Mint are often safe bets—they’re stable, user-friendly, and come with a ton of resources to help you get started.

The best Linux distros for beginners in 2025 make switching from MacOS or Windows so easy Why switch to Linux? More security, more privacy, and freedom from vendor lock-in.

However, both Ubuntu and Mint are very popular, have thriving communities, and are designed specifically for non-Linux veterans, so they're a great place to start.

Here's everything new with Linux Mint, now based on Ubuntu 24.04, and where to download your preferred version.

Linux Mint Linux Mint, often touted as the most beginner-friendly Linux distro, is a comforting choice for those transitioning from Windows.

Trying Linux is easy—you can even install it on a USB drive or disc to try it out before committing. Enter the world of open-source here.

Linux Mint, probably the most beginner-friendly Linux system out there, has hit version 12 with quite a few neat features and improvements. Chief among them is a new shell based on Gnome 3 ...