Updated December 19, 2023
Difference Between Ubuntu vs Debian
Ubuntu and Debian are the two of the most popular Linux distributions since their inception. They are very closely related, making it hard for new Linux users to figure out the differences between them. Whereas many things appear to be similar or even the same at times, these powerhouse distributions have some sizable differences between them.
One of the most striking differences between Debian and Ubuntu is in their release, i.e. these two distributions are released differently. Debian has its tired model based on stability, on the other hand, Ubuntu has regular and LTS releases.
Key Differences between Ubuntu vs Debian
Both Ubuntu and Debian are popular choices in the market; let us discuss some of the major differences between Ubuntu and Debian :
- Ubuntu is based on Debian only, so most software and applications are usable on both distributions (in short distros). One can configure both distros to have the same features, software, etc. Ubuntu LTS (i.e. Long-Term Support) is based on the Testing branch of Debian, as mentioned above, and not on the Stable branch. Although one can use the same software on both these distros, the installation and configuration process is not the same in each.
- Ubuntu is considered a better choice for beginners because of its simplicity, and Debian is a better choice for experts. Ubuntu usually requires little to no user configuration during the installation processes (unless customized heavily). Everything that a beginner would need is pre-installed on Ubuntu, and the OS installation itself is quite easy to do, which comes with an intuitive installation GUI. Unlike Ubuntu, Debian requires more input from the user during installation– configuring the OS and software installed on it.
- Debian focuses on free software only, whereas Ubuntu also uses proprietary software. If free software is not much of a concern, then Ubuntu is a better choice for everyone. Obviously, one can still install non-free software on Debian too, but it will not be as easy as on Ubuntu.
- By having a look at their release cycles, one can understand that Debian is considered a more stable distro compared to Ubuntu. This is so because Debian has fewer updates, is thoroughly tested, and is stable. But, this stability comes at a cost. Users won’t be able to use all the latest releases of software components and all the newest technologies. Like everything else, a user can still configure Debian to include some new packages that are unavailable by default.
- As mentioned in the table above, ubuntu releases run on a strict schedule. So, users know exactly when a new Ubuntu release will be available in the market. But in Debian, there is no specific schedule.
- Ubuntu support for 5 years to its servers and 5 years for desktop. Thus, Enterprises get longer support. There are new Ubuntu LTS that are released every 2 years. Debian’s Stable releases offer support only for a year after the next stable release comes onto the market. If a user wants support for a longer period of time, then he should go with Ubuntu LTS instead of the Debian Stable version.
- Regarding server comparisons, choosing the right distro depends on several factors, such as requirements. If someone is in an enterprise environment, he/she should go with Debian as it’s more stable than Ubuntu and more secure too. Ubuntu is the right choice if one needs the latest software releases and uses the server for personal needs. All other general differences also apply to the server versions similarly.
- Debian is a lightweight Linux distro and quite handy. The biggest deciding factor in such cases, whether or not a distro is lightweight, is what kind of desktop environment is used. By default, Debian is more lightweight compared to Ubuntu as stated earlier. So, if the old hardware is used, you should go with Debian.
- The desktop version of Ubuntu is much easier to install and configure, which is true for beginners. On Ubuntu, all choices are made for users by default, and everything works out of the box. Apart from that, there’s an expert mode on Ubuntu too, which lets the user edit and configure almost everything, which is quite like the installation of Debian.
- By default, the Latest Ubuntu version, such as Ubuntu 17.10 and onwards, comes with the GNOME desktop environment, as already said. Older versions use Unity-based. Debian, on the other hand, has a wide variety of choices, so Debian users can select whatever desktop environment they want to use.
- Debian has some trouble with drivers and firmware, as one can expect. This is because the Debian kernel doesn’t contain any proprietary blobs, which means it lacks a lot of firmware. Like other software, a user must enable and install the repository manually.
On the contrary, Ubuntu includes as much firmware as possible and tries to install and configure the drivers for its users automatically. Ubuntu can also work with hardware manufacturers to certify that the designed hardware can work with Ubuntu and test drivers. - Ubuntu has PPAs, but Debian does not have it. PPAs are nothing but personal package archives. They are a way for developers to host Ubuntu software repositories and also make them accessible easily.
Actually, PPAs are no different than any normal Debian repositories. The main difference comes when a user adds one such thing to his system. Instead of manually importing a GPG key and adding the repository address to a configuration file, a user can run a single Linux command to add a PPA.
Ubuntu vs Debian Comparison Table
Below is the topmost Comparison between Ubuntu and Debian :
|
Ubuntu |
Debian |
| It is based on the Debian testing branch. | Original. |
| It is assumed to be better for beginners. | It is not recommended for a beginner. |
| It uses both free and proprietary software. | It uses only free software. |
| It is less stable compared to Debian. | It is much more stable. |
| Its releases run on a specific schedule. | Its releases are unscheduled. |
| LTS release has more than 5 years of support. | The stable release is more than 3 years old now. |
| It requires better software. | It is lightweight. |
| By default, it uses the GNOME desktop environment for all versions and Unity for older versions. | The desktop version has many environment options as well. |
Conclusion
Thus, this article sheds some important light on the difference between Ubuntu and Debian, and the reader is expected to gain some very insightful knowledge from it.
Recommended Articles
This has been a guide to the top difference between Ubuntu and Debian. Here, we also discuss the key differences between Ubuntu and Debian with infographics and a comparison table. You may also have a look at the following articles to learn more –
