Easiest to hardest Linux distros
Of 58 distros, 22 are rated beginner, 26 intermediate and 10 advanced. The top-ranked beginner distros are Ubuntu, Linux Mint, SteamOS and Bazzite; the top-ranked advanced ones are Arch Linux, Kali Linux and NixOS.
Beginner
22 distros · 38%Install and use without touching a terminal.
Intermediate
26 distros · 45%Some comfort with settings, packages or the command line helps.
Advanced
10 distros · 17%You build and maintain more of the system yourself.
What the data shows
- Beginner: 22 distros (38%), led by Ubuntu, Linux Mint, SteamOS and Bazzite.
- Intermediate: 26 distros (45%), led by Debian, CachyOS, Omarchy and Manjaro.
- Advanced: 10 distros (17%), led by Arch Linux, Kali Linux, NixOS and Gentoo Linux.
How this infographic is made
The level is distro.watch’s editorial rating of how much experience the default install expects, stored in each distro’s profile. It is a judgment, not a measured score, and the same distro can feel easier with a friendly installer or harder on unusual hardware. Within a band, distros are in current distro.watch ranking order.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest Linux distro for beginners?
By our ranking, Ubuntu, Linux Mint and SteamOS lead the distros rated beginner.
How many Linux distros are beginner friendly?
22 of 58 in our directory (38%) are rated beginner.
Is Arch Linux hard?
We rate it advanced: you assemble the system yourself. Distros built on Arch that add an installer, such as EndeavourOS and Manjaro, sit lower on this scale.