Best Peppermint OS alternatives
Distributions that share Peppermint OS’s purpose, family, release model, or desktop, ordered by how closely they match. Each one lists what it has in common and a link to a full side-by-side comparison.
- 1Peppermint OS vs MX Linux
MX Linux#16 in rankings
Debian Stable with a toolbox of helpful utilities. MX Linux is a collaboration between the antiX and former MEPIS communities.
- Also suited to older hardware and everyday use
- Also Debian-based
- Same stable release model
Key difference: Xfce, KDE Plasma, Fluxbox desktop, beginner level.
- 2Peppermint OS vs Q4OS
Q4OS#42 in rankings
A classic desktop on Debian, with a Trinity edition for old PCs. Q4OS is a Debian Stable-based desktop with two editions: KDE Plasma for current hardware and Trinity, a continuation of the KDE 3 desktop, for older machines.
- Also suited to older hardware and everyday use
- Also Debian-based
- Same stable release model
Key difference: KDE Plasma, Trinity desktop, beginner level.
- 3Peppermint OS vs Linux Mint Debian Edition
Linux Mint Debian Edition
Linux Mint’s desktop on a pure Debian base. LMDE delivers the Linux Mint Cinnamon experience on Debian Stable rather than Ubuntu.
- Also suited to older hardware and everyday use
- Also Debian-based
- Same stable release model
Key difference: Cinnamon desktop, beginner level.
- 4Peppermint OS vs Debian
Debian#3 in rankings
A dependable foundation that takes its time. Debian Stable favors well-tested packages and predictable behavior.
- Also suited to older hardware and everyday use
- Independent base like Peppermint OS
- Same stable release model
Key difference: based on Independent.
- 5Peppermint OS vs Devuan
Devuan#37 in rankings
Debian without systemd, with a choice of init. Devuan is a fork of Debian that removes the dependency on systemd and lets you choose sysVinit, OpenRC, or runit.
- Also suited to older hardware and everyday use
- Also Debian-based
- Same stable release model
Key difference: based on Debian.
- 6Peppermint OS vs SparkyLinux
SparkyLinux#50 in rankings
Debian stable or testing, with many desktop choices. SparkyLinux offers editions built on Debian Stable and a semi-rolling line based on Debian Testing.
- Also suited to older hardware and everyday use
- Also Debian-based
- Same stable release model
Key difference: based on Debian Stable / Testing.
- 7Peppermint OS vs Xubuntu
Xubuntu#40 in rankings
Ubuntu with the light, steady Xfce desktop. Xubuntu is the official Ubuntu flavour with the Xfce desktop.
- Also suited to older hardware and everyday use
- Same stable release model
- Same beginner experience level
Key difference: based on Ubuntu.
- 8Peppermint OS vs Linux Lite
Linux Lite#47 in rankings
A lightweight Windows-style desktop for newcomers. Linux Lite pairs an Ubuntu LTS base with a customized Xfce desktop and its own Lite tools for updates, tweaks, and help.
- Also suited to older hardware and everyday use
- Same stable release model
- Same beginner experience level
Key difference: based on Ubuntu LTS.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Peppermint OS?
MX Linux is the closest match: also suited to older hardware and everyday use; also debian-based. Q4OS and Linux Mint Debian Edition are also strong options.
Why switch from Peppermint OS?
Common reasons are its tradeoffs: community-maintained with a small team; few applications preinstalled. An alternative can keep what you like while avoiding these.