Pop!_OS24.04
A developer-friendly desktop with built-in tiling.
What is Pop!_OS?
Pop!_OS is System76’s Ubuntu-based distribution. Its COSMIC desktop, written in Rust, combines a conventional panel and dock with optional window tiling. A dedicated NVIDIA installation image ships the proprietary driver, which makes it a common pick for developers and gamers with NVIDIA graphics. COSMIC reached its first stable release recently, so some workflows and extensions from GNOME-based versions do not carry over.
Who is Pop!_OS for?
Pop!_OS fits best for development, gaming and everyday use. Where it ranks in our lists:
- #6 of 22: best Linux distros for beginners
- #6 of 13: best Linux distros for gaming
- #8 of 37: best Linux distros for 4 GB of RAM
- #9 of 29: best Linux distros for programming and development
Pros
- NVIDIA image with the proprietary driver preinstalled
- Optional auto-tiling built into the desktop
- Tested on System76 hardware
Cons
- COSMIC is young; expect rough edges and missing extensions
- Release timing follows System76 rather than Ubuntu’s schedule
Pop!_OS system requirements
For a comfortable desktop with a modern web browser, plan for about 4 GB of RAM. Pop!_OS is available for x86_64. Leave at least 25 GB of storage for the system and applications. These figures are editorial guidance; check the official documentation for minimums.
Pop!_OS versions and support dates
| Version | Released | Latest | Support ends | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pop!_OS 24.04LTS | Dec 11, 2025 | 24.04 | May 31, 2029 | Supported |
| Pop!_OS 22.04LTS | Apr 25, 2022 | 22.04 | Apr 25, 2027 | Supported |
| Pop!_OS 21.10 | Dec 14, 2021 | 21.10 | Jul 24, 2022 | Ended |
| Pop!_OS 21.04 | Jun 29, 2021 | 21.04 | Mar 13, 2022 | Ended |
| Pop!_OS 20.10 | Oct 23, 2020 | 20.10 | Sep 28, 2021 | Ended |
| Pop!_OS 20.04LTS | Apr 30, 2020 | 20.04 | Apr 30, 2025 | Ended |
| Pop!_OS 19.10 | Oct 19, 2019 | 19.10 | Jul 29, 2020 | Ended |
| Pop!_OS 19.04 | Apr 20, 2019 | 19.04 | Jan 18, 2020 | Ended |
Source: endoflife.date. Support scope varies by product; confirm on the project’s site.
Try Pop!_OS before you install
Write the image to a USB stick and boot it as a live session to test Wi-Fi, graphics, sound, and suspend on your own computer. A browser trial on DistroSea shows the desktop, but cannot verify your hardware.
Compare Pop!_OS with…
Best Pop!_OS alternatives
Pop!_OS: common questions
What is Pop!_OS based on?
Pop!_OS is based on Ubuntu LTS. It uses APT · Flatpak for software and systemd as its init system.
What is the latest version of Pop!_OS?
The latest Pop!_OS release is 24.04, released Dec 11, 2025, according to endoflife.date.
How long is Pop!_OS 24.04 supported?
Pop!_OS 24.04 is listed as supported until May 31, 2029. It is a long-term support release.
Is Pop!_OS good for beginners?
Yes. Pop!_OS is one of the more approachable distributions: nvidia image with the proprietary driver preinstalled.
How much RAM does Pop!_OS need?
We suggest about 4 GB of RAM for a comfortable desktop experience with a modern browser. This is editorial guidance, not the project’s official minimum, which can be lower. It runs on x86_64.
What desktop does Pop!_OS use?
Pop!_OS offers COSMIC.
Is Pop!_OS a rolling release?
No. Pop!_OS uses fixed releases; you upgrade to a new version periodically.
Is Pop!_OS free?
Yes, Pop!_OS is free to download and use.