Anyone can use Linux today. Gone are the myths surrounding its steep learning curve (outside of something like Arch) and some excellent distros are available for those who have yet to visit the command-line interface (CLI). If you're considering the switch from Windows or macOS, I've rounded up a few of my favorite beginner-friendly Linux-based operating systems that almost anyone can use. Don't let this list fool you into believing these are basic distros. Once up and running, you'll have the full power (and versatility) of Linux at your fingertips.

7 Debian

The base of many distros

It all starts with Debian, which happens to be the distro that many of my recommendations here are based on — yes, that includes you too, Ubuntu! This is largely because of its pedigree. Debian is one of the oldest available Linux distros, having launched in 1993 yet it's still live and kicking to this day. What makes Debian such a solid Linux distro is the solid foundations, vast package repositories, excellent performance and minimal resource impact, and user-friendly interfaces.

The default desktop environment shipped with Debian is GNOME, a name you'll be familiar with by the end of this collection. Debian is a great choice for Linux beginners thanks to the easy GNOME experience, long-term support, fantastic community, and the use of APT to install and manage packages, allowing anyone to start learning commands at a slow pace. Everything is documented too, making quick reference checks a breeze, should you get stuck.

6 elementaryOS

Great for macOS fans

Windows is one OS to migrate to Linux from, but what if you're moving from an Apple device and want something that resembles its user-friendly OS? That's where elementaryOS comes into play with its striking design and similarities to macOS. From the get-go, this distro looks like macOS with the floating dock at the bottom full of shortlisted and running apps. The top bar also looks like the same feature from macOS with all your tray icons and a single menu entry.

We haven't covered Ubuntu yet, but it's coming and is what elementaryOS is based on — specifically Ubuntu LTS (or long-term support). This means you can expect rock-solid Debian and Ubuntu foundations with all the benefits of a long-term major release with countless updates along the way. There's expansive support for hardware through the underlying platforms too, so you can bet your old Windows PC will be more than capable of running elementaryOS.

It also helps this thing is gorgeous and runs all the same software available on other Debian-based distros.

5 Fedora (KDE)

Yet another great Debian distro

Have you noticed a running theme here yet? Fedora is another great choice for Linux newcomers with the same underpinnings as elementaryOS, but relying on GNOME and other desktop environments to handle all the visual stuff. Instead of GNOME, I'd recommend checking out KDE if you're moving from Windows, which helps recreate a familiar experience with a traditional taskbar, start menu, and window management. Like Ubuntu, there are a few different flavors of Fedora.

Fedora does things a little differently to Ubuntu and some other LTS-focused distros in that updates are rolled out sooner and later versions of the kernel and other parts of the Linux system are used, resulting in better support for newer hardware. If you wish to be closer to the forefront of the latest and greatest to come from the Linux team and repository contributors, I'd go with Fedora as your choice of distro. GNOME and KDE will look and work well, though the latter is more customizable.

4 Pop!_OS

For science (and much more)

Pop!_OS may have a strange name, but this is one of the better more recent distros to launch. Created by System76, a Linux hardware manufacturer, Pop!_OS is based on Ubuntu with a heavily customized GNOME environment. It's marketed toward STEM and creators, thanks to its out-of-the-box support for AMD and Nvidia GPUs, default disk encryption, streamlined window and workspace management, keyboard shortcuts for navigation, and packages that allow for easy setup for TensorFlow and CUDA.

The OS also happens to be a good pick for playing games, thanks to its lightweight design and development, including GPU drivers, and solid long-term support. You can even play around with tiling, thanks to the easy auto-tiling support within the OS itself. This can open a window to other windows managers that don't work the same way as conventional stackers. Some may find this switch improves workflow, though the heavier use of keyboard shortcuts can result in a steep learning curve.

3 Ubuntu

The popular choice

Ubuntu is one of the best-known Linux distros, especially outside the community. Ubuntu is often used synonymously with Linux by those unfamiliar with how everything is put together and that's largely down to how Canonical has developed and continues to market its operating system. Ubuntu is based on Debian, but you'll find many distros now based on Ubuntu, including Linux Mint and Pop!_OS. Everything with Ubuntu works, largely thanks to its GNOME underpinnings.

You'll have no trouble installing the latest (and greatest) FOSS, playing all your favorite Windows-only games through Steam and Proton, and entering the terminal a few times to learn some new Linux commands. The wealth of knowledge available through documentation and official support channels is immense. Should you get stuck with something relating to Ubuntu, there's an almost guarantee an answer will be just one search result away. This is an excellent first Linux distro to try.

Ubuntu is everywhere, including many of the world's servers.

2 Zorin

Zorin is a Linux distro to try if you want the security and support of Ubuntu (and Debian), the easy environment of GNOME, but with a heavy edit to make it look more like Windows. It's a clean OS with a sizable taskbar along the bottom of the screen, a traditional start menu, and a tray area. That's about it, but there's so much more to the OS. Zorin Grid is also in the works, which will make installing and maintaining Zorin OS devices a breeze within a network, such as at a school or large business.

There is a paid version available called Zorin OS Pro, though this is aimed at professionals and creators, as well as those who simply wish to have more from their Linux distro. This version includes an "advanced video editor, Photoshop-compatible image editor, illustration software, audio workstation, animation software, and the same 3D graphics & effects software used by Hollywood studios." A few other desktop themes and configs are available with this optional upgrade, and you'll be supporting development.

1 Linux Mint

The best Windows replacement

Linux Mint was first launched in 2006 as a slightly more user-friendly version of Ubuntu. Forking GNOME and making its own DE called Cinnamon, you'll feel right at home with Linux Mint if moving from Windows. This is largely down to how familiar the UI looks and how everything is brought together on the desktop. You've got a traditional start menu, taskbar, and tray area for all your quick-access settings and app icons. Add some color and you could make it resemble Windows 11 with ease.

And that's by design. The Linux Mint team wants the OS to work as expected, even if this is your first time booting up Linux. It all starts with the installation, which is among the easiest to carry out. Create a live CD, boot it from a USB, and follow the on-screen installation wizard. Once up and running, you'll have access to one of the safest and most stable Debian-based distros out there. Its latest release will be supported for another four years, so you know you're in good hands.

Hop between Linux distros

There's no one best Linux distro. Choosing the right one depends on your needs and what you look for in an OS. There's no harm in trying out a distro for a few months and swapping to an alternative to see if it's any better. Keep moving around until you land on one that feels right. The best part about Linux is that any distro can be heavily customized and edited to look like something else. You could even install a tiling window manager on a stack distro to unlock new ways to be productive.