Ubuntu vs. Debian: 7 key differences help determine which distro is right for you

Debian is unofficially called “The mother of all distributions.” This is partly because Ubuntu is based on Debian and so many distributions are based on Ubuntu. For example, Ubuntu Budgie is based on Ubuntu, which is based on Debian. 

But just because Ubuntu is based on Debian, it doesn’t mean the two are identical. They aren’t. In some cases, the differences are obvious; but there are subtle differences you might not know about. 

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Let’s examine the key differences that separate the mother of all distributions from her most important child. Understanding these differences can also help you determine which distro is right for you and your needs.

1. Development philosophy

Debian is community-driven and focuses on stability, reliability, and the principles of open-source. Debian ships with all open-source software and has a much slower release cycle.

Ubuntu is developed by Canonical and focuses on user-friendliness and accessibility. Ubuntu supports both open-source and proprietary software and is updated more frequently.

Both distributions are rock solid, but the Debian philosophy gives it the edge in this category. At the same time, Ubuntu’s focus on user-friendliness pays off. If you want one of the most rock-solid operating systems on the planet, go with Debian. If you want a very user-friendly OS that supports the latest hardware, Ubuntu should be your choice.

2. Release cycle

Debian is released every two years and is committed to long testing phases to prioritize stability.

Ubuntu is released every six months, with Long-Term Support (LTS) releases every two years.

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If you like newer features and more frequent updates, go with Ubuntu. If you don’t mind waiting for the next big release, Debian will do.

3. User-friendliness

Debian requires a bit more knowledge for both the installation and usage, but not much more. The installer might be old-school, but it’s still a point-and-click affair.

Ubuntu is one of the most user-friendly operating systems available — from the installer to the desktop. And with default settings that won’t confound even new users, it makes a great option for first-timers.

On the surface, both distributions can be considered user-friendly, but Ubuntu holds the advantage here. 

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4. Package management

Debian uses the APT package manager and prioritizes stability over new features. Debian does not ship with the Snap universal package manager installed.

Ubuntu uses both the APT package manager and Snap to offer a much larger selection of software titles that can be installed. Ubuntu also bakes in support for Snap into the GUI app store.

If you want more software (including proprietary titles such as Slack and Spotify), you’ll want to go with Ubuntu. If you want only the most stable version of every piece of software on your system, Debian is for you.

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5. Support

Debian is supported solely by the community and relies on volunteers for both development and maintenance.

Ubuntu is backed by Canonical and offers both professional (paid) support and community-driven support.

If you don’t like the idea of community-driven support, your best option here is Ubuntu. For most users, community support is sufficient. If you want to use Linux within your company, having corporate-grade support could be key. Either way, the support communities for both are quite good.

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6. Pre-installed software

Debian ships with minimal software, so the system is lightweight. Users can add any number of software titles from the standard repositories and third-party repositories (make sure to vet them first). Users can also install Snap to access even more software.

Ubuntu comes with more software titles pre-installed, so there’s less work involved upon first logging in. Ubuntu also ships with proprietary drivers and codecs, which can be a hassle to install otherwise.

If you don’t mind having to install the software you need to be productive and creative, Debian is a great choice; otherwise, Ubuntu is an outstanding route to just “install and go.”

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7. Sudo

Debian includes sudo but standard users are not automatically added to the required security group (sudo), which means you have to first su to the root user to run commands that require escalated privileges.

Ubuntu includes sudo and your user  — the one you create during OS installation — will automatically be added to the sudo group, which means you don’t have to change to the root user. In fact, Ubuntu disables the root user by default.

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Both of these distributions are very secure, but many will find having to manually add their user to the sudo group to be an extra step they don’t want to take. If simplicity is what you’re aiming for, go with Ubuntu.

Both Debian and Ubuntu are outstanding operating systems for users of all types. But knowing the differences  — whether they are subtle or not — can mean the difference between a seamless and not-so-seamless experience. If you asked me which distribution was best for which type of user, I’d say that Ubuntu is best suited for those just coming to the world of Linux, and Debian is best suited for those with a bit more experience.