Linux Mint vs. Ubuntu: Features and Advantages

If you are a little tired of the operating system you currently use or, perhaps, frustrated with the changes made to the most recent Windows desktop environments, you may be looking into Linux distributions as a new alternative. Good choice! Switching to Linux can definitely breathe some life into your computer and deliver a highly satisfying experience.

Currently, the two most popular Linux distributions are Canonical’s Ubuntu, whose latest version is 21.04, and Linux Mint, which is based on Ubuntu and soon to be released in version 20.2. You might be wondering which of these operating systems is your best bet. And to attempt an answer to that question, this review will look at a few important attributes of the software for comparison and contrast.

Differences Between Linux Mint and Ubuntu

Linux Mint	Ubuntu
Linux operating system	Unix-like operating system
MATE or Cinnamon default user interface	GNOME user interface
Traditional desktop interface, Xfce, and KDE desktop options	Horizontal workspace, user-friendly file management app
Encourages users to modify the environment to suit their tastes and workflows	A system that’s usable right out of the box with little to no tweaking
Relatively simple software selection process and straightforward management system	More options, including shopping features and for-pay software features

Installation

The standard installation process for Linux Mint and Ubuntu are similar. After downloading the operating system’s image file, you will either burn it to a disc or write it to a removable drive (using specialized software such as Unetbootin). Then, you simply boot your computer from the installation media you created, and an installation wizard will walk you through the process.

Ubuntu also offers a convenient Windows-based installer that will run the operating system alongside Windows. This is a great option for those thinking about making the switch and wanting to try out the OS.

Verdict

Ubuntu is a bit more flexible in its installation approach and edges out Linux Mint in this area.

Interface

We rely on our computers for so much these days, so they should be set up in a way that’s intuitive to us and that helps us get things done. On top of that, most of us have gotten used to the layout and configuration of certain operating systems, like Windows or OSX, so making a change in how you navigate the computer might seem like a potentially frustrating experience.

Thus, the user interface of the Ubuntu and Linux Mint operating systems is one of the most important considerations for comparison. And, increasingly, these systems’ interfaces are radically different.

In 2021, Canonical introduced an overhaul to the look and feel of the familiar GNOME environment with a unique configuration for Ubuntu, known as GNOME 40. It features touchpad gestures while still keeping many keyboard shortcuts in place. GNOME 40 also has a horizontal dock and a revamped activities overview, both of which are designed to streamline users’ workflows.

Linux Mint features the Cinnamon and MATE user interfaces. MATE is a simpler, more straightforward interface and Cinnamon showcases a more aesthetically pleasing design and easy-to-access features. Some of these include an update manager that streamlines the installation of software updates, as well as a software manager that helps you locate any of more than 30,000 packages.

So where will you be most comfortable? Well, that depends. If you are switching to Linux from Windows, you will likely feel more at home with the Linux Mint desktop. Its general layout and workflow are very similar to the Windows configuration, giving it a sense of familiarity for traditional Microsoft users.

On the other hand, if you are migrating from OSX, you might feel more comfortable with Ubuntu’s Unity layout. Contextual menus in the top menu bar, a launcher containing large app icons, and window menus placed on the top left will all feel pretty familiar to you.

All that said, neither Linux Mint nor Ubuntu is a clone of Windows or OSX in terms of its interface. So let’s take a look at some of the specific characteristics that make them what they are.

Ubuntu

Ubuntu incorporates some unique features, including its horizontal workspace and search-oriented dash for navigating local and online content. While these characteristics may seem less than intuitive initially, they can offer some benefits for users looking for a smooth, integrated OS.

GNOME really shines with its file management app, called Nautilus. With GNOME 40, you can sort your files according to when they were created, enjoy better estimates regarding how long it takes to transfer and copy files, and the option to rename files as you move them.

One of the potential downsides of GNOME is its horizontal workspace. While it may make for better overall space management, people used to the vertical workspaces of previous versions may find it disconcerting.

GNOME combines features of an application menu, file system, and web browser, making it significantly different than the configuration of most OS application menus, which tend to be organized by category and limited to applications only. To some users, this approach is an attractive and welcome change. To others, it is unnecessary, inflexible, and cluttered.

Another component of the GNOME user interface worth noting is the head-up display, which allows a user to search application menus by pressing the alt key. This is a particularly handy feature if you commonly use the mouse to navigate within programs. However, it could easily be seen as a source of frustration if you typically use a lot of keyboard shortcuts within applications, as it acts as an alternative to this in some instances.

Ubuntu’s GNOME 40 interface has a lot to offer users who are looking for a new approach to interacting with the desktop.

Linux Mint

As noted previously, Linux Mint has continued to employ a more traditional desktop interface and develop features in a way that is more in keeping with familiar ways of interacting with the computer.

One thing that is unique about Mint, however, is that it allows you to choose which particular flavor of desktop you like best out of several options. The main release offers two choices:

• MATE — A classic and reliable desktop that’s built for simple navigation and intuitive accessibility.
• Cinnamon — A sleek, forward-thinking interface focusing on modern aesthetics and features. Its more recent, ongoing development makes it a bit less stable, but it is elegant and provides a great overall user experience.

In addition to these options, Mint offers two secondary releases based on the Xfce and KDE desktops for users who prefer those environments. Xfce is designed with lightweight and speedy operation in mind. KDE offers a configuration that is arguably the most Windows-like of any Linux desktop and is also popular for its visual aesthetics.

For this review, let’s take a look at some of the features the Cinnamon interface offers. Since this desktop environment brings a combination of easy functionality and elegant aesthetics, it is perhaps the best version for comparison.

Settings editor: The Cinnamon desktop allows users to easily configure the look and feel of every element within it.

Animations and effects: Several components of the Cinnamon desktop environment include sleek animations. For instance, you can add an animation that warps the shape of a window you are manipulating. As you drag it around your screen, it changes shape, morphing like the body of a cartoon character as they speed away. If you adjust an edge of a window, you can get a similar shape-morphing effect.

Applets: Cinnamon features a wide range of mini-applications that can be integrated directly into its panel.

Verdict: With a variety of interface options for new users, each offering an intuitive and user-friendly experience, Linux Mint edges out Ubuntu here as a recommendation. But there are caveats. Ubuntu’s GNOME interface is nothing if not innovative, and it may be just the thing you want from a computer. It just might not appeal as widely as the look and feel you will get with Linux Mint. Certainly, it is worthwhile to try out the OS and see what you think if you have the opportunity.

Ease of use

The user interface is important to an operating system’s ease of use. But it is not the only consideration. You’ll also want to look at how you go about navigating files, performing administrative tasks, installing new software, and completing maintenance, among other things. Overall, Linux Mint and Ubuntu represent different philosophies regarding an accessible, productive user experience.

Ubuntu

Canonical is committed to the user experience within Ubuntu. The company wants its software to be accessible and attractive to any user approaching it. This is indicated by its Ayatana project, which comprises multiple related initiatives to improve the way the software interacts with the user.

In general, the direction of Ubuntu’s improvements has tended toward creating a system that doesn’t need a lot of tweaking and has everything covered for the user.

Whereas, in the past, the typical Linux user may have gotten very familiar with terminal commands and performing advanced maintenance tasks, it seems to be Canonical’s aim to make this kind of action less essential.

This is great for users who want a system that works well and don’t have much interest in fiddling with things. However, since it isn’t really designed to simplify modifications and administrative tasks, some users, particularly tech-savvy ones, might look toward other distributions.

Linux Mint

In contrast, Linux Mint’s design supports and even encourages users to make modifications and tweaks and to take on advanced tasks. Its default file manager allows for easy options to gain root access from a graphical interface. It includes an ADD/Remove panel feature that allows you to easily install fresh themes or delete those you don’t want.

Aside from advanced operations, Mint provides a file system and a set of tools that are easy to use and on par with Ubuntu.

Verdict

Tie. Really, the operating system you favor in terms of its ease of use will depend on how you intend to use it. If you want tools for easily tweaking applications and the OS, Linux Mint may be the choice for you. If, however, you want something that works well out of the box, with less emphasis on customizing, you might prefer Ubuntu.

Software

The programs that come installed with an operating system, and how well they are integrated, are important to your choice of operating system. Also important, particularly with Linux operating systems, is the method for obtaining and installing new software.

Ubuntu and Linux Mint both come with essential applications pre installed, and many of the default applications are the same for both systems. For example, both come with LibreOffice as the default productivity suite, Firefox as the default browser, and (recently, for Ubuntu) Thunderbird as the default mail application.

You will see some differences as well. For example, Mint uses Banshee as its default music player, while Ubuntu uses RhythmBox. The Shotwell photo application is the default for managing and editing photos, while Mint uses Pix for simple photo management and the GIMP application — Linux’s best equivalent to Photoshop — for more in-depth editing.

Both systems use their own software center for installation of new applications. While they use many of the same repositories, there are some differences. Linux Mint’s program is comparatively simple and straightforward, while Ubuntu’s includes more shopping features, such as a recommendation engine and paid, for-profit apps.

Verdict

Overall, Ubuntu has an advantage when it comes to software. Its default applications have a deeper level of integration into the operating system and desktop environment. Its software center makes it easy to find and install new apps, and the available options are more robust.

Switching to the open-source applications available through Linux distributions is one of the biggest changes for users migrating to Linux. 

And the winner is…

Linux Mint. For its flexibility, familiarity, and hands-on approach that will help you get to understand Linux, Mint is likely a better option for many users transitioning from one of the major operating systems. That said, Ubuntu is also an excellent operating system with a unique approach that you might find you really enjoy. A beauty of both systems, and many Linux distributions in general, is that they are free to install. That being the case, you might be best served by taking both of them for a spin to learn which one really suits you.